Educational Edge: Utilizing Cost Segregation for Private Schools and Educational Buildings

Reinvest in Learning—Unlock the Value Within Your Campus

At Acena Consulting, we believe every dollar a private school spends should advance its mission to educate and inspire. A cost segregation study helps administrators free capital from the walls, labs, and fields they already own—so it can be directed toward students and programs.

Why Educational Facilities Stand Out

School campuses are uniquely suited to cost segregation because they contain a wide range of assets beyond standard classrooms. By carefully identifying and reclassifying these components, a significant portion of construction or acquisition costs can move from a 39-year schedule to 5-, 7-, or 15-year lives—accelerating depreciation and boosting early-year cash flow.

Consider the variety:

• Technology & Infrastructure: Campus-wide Wi-Fi, AV systems, smartboards, and computer labs often qualify for 5-year treatment.
  
  
• Specialized Classrooms & Labs: Science labs, art studios, and music rooms frequently include dedicated electrical, plumbing, or HVAC elements eligible for shorter lives.
  
  
• Recreational & Athletic Areas: Gym flooring, turf fields, bleachers, and stadium lighting typically fit into 7- or 15-year categories.
  
  
• Site Improvements: Playgrounds, landscaping, and outdoor learning spaces can be depreciated over 15 years.
  
  

Benefits That Strengthen Your Mission

• Immediate Cash Flow – Larger deductions in the early years free dollars for curriculum enhancements, scholarships, and facility upgrades.
  
  
• Informed Capital Planning – The detailed asset inventory supports future maintenance budgets and expansion decisions.
  
  
• Confidence in Compliance – Acena’s engineering-based approach aligns with IRS standards and withstands audit scrutiny.
  
  

The Acena Approach

Our team combines engineering insight with tax expertise to uncover every qualifying asset and present a defensible, actionable report. We partner with administrators, CFOs, and boards to integrate findings into a broader financial strategy—so savings translate directly into stronger educational outcomes.

Bottom line: Cost segregation is more than a tax strategy; it’s a way to invest in your school’s future today. With Acena as your guide, the value already built into your campus can help fund the next generation of learning.