The Barstow School
The Barstow School is an independent, nonprofit K-12 college-preparatory institution founded in 1884 in Kansas City, Missouri, serving approximately 792 students from preschool through grade 12. Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition, supplemented by summer programs and philanthropic donations, with additional operations at international campuses in China and Ghana.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1884
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Barstow School does
The Barstow School is an independent, nonprofit K-12 institution founded in 1884 in Kansas City, Missouri, recognized as the oldest independent school west of the Mississippi River. It serves approximately 792 students from preschool through grade 12 on a single main campus at 11511 State Line Road, drawing from 72 ZIP codes across Kansas and Missouri, with 33% of students receiving financial assistance. The curriculum is structured around an Early Childhood program (Preschool Prep through Kindergarten), a Lower School (Grades 1-5), and a combined Middle & Upper School (Grades 6-12), supplemented by signature programs including IDEA Space KC (STEAM learning center with makerspace, technology lab, and fabrication workshop), BTVN student media, FIRST Robotics (FRC Team 1939 "The Kuhnights"), competitive debate, and global education via partner schools.
The technology platform comprises the myBarstow portal for grades, assignments, calendars, Gmail integration, and tuition payments, layered over a Diamond Mind Inc. tuition system. The school operates a differentiated AI education track through its RAIL (Responsible AI in Learning) participation in the Founding 50 cohort and a summer AI intensive for grades 8-12 hosted at IDEA Space, taught by instructors with Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League credentials using third-party generative AI tools.
Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring annual tuition as the primary engine, seasonal summer camp and program fees (including the AI Projects intensive), and philanthropic contributions such as the $7.5 million anonymous donation received in December 2021 for an athletic center and Hy-Vee renovation. The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees led by Chair Robert Rothhaas, with operational leadership under President and Head of School Art Hall (effective 2025), Senior Vice President and COO Elizabeth Bartow, and CFO Sharon McKibben. International operations include self-operated campuses in three Chinese cities (Cixi, Haishu, Ningbo) and Accra, Ghana, plus reciprocal exchange partnerships with eight schools across Costa Rica, Argentina, Spain, France, Australia, Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Senegal.
The Barstow School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Barstow School
- Legal name
- The Barstow School
- Website
- https://barstowschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1884
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Barstow School is an independent, nonprofit K-12 college-preparatory institution founded in 1884 in Kansas City, Missouri, serving approximately 792 students from preschool through grade 12. Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition, supplemented by summer programs and philanthropic donations, with additional operations at international campuses in China and Ghana.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Barstow School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent K-12 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM), Private/Independent Online K–12 Schools (EDAJADAC)
Keywords
Where The Barstow School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
The Barstow School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition charges for students in preschool through grade 12. The school offers financial assistance to approximately 33% of students.
- Summer Programs: Revenue from summer camps and programs including AI Projects for grades 8-12, hosted at IDEA Space.
- Donations and Fundraising: The Barstow Fund and other giving programs support school operations. Received $7.5 million anonymous donation for new athletic center and Hy-Vee renovation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Tuition-based independent school with financial assistance available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Barstow School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Barstow School is an independent K-12 college preparatory school operating a unified educational platform spanning Preschool through Grade 12, with signature programs in STEAM, robotics, debate, BTVN, and global education. The school delivers instruction through its main Kansas City campus and global campuses in China and Ghana, supported by the IDEA Space KC STEAM learning center. Core revenue derives from tuition, with financial assistance provided to approximately 33% of students.
Product overview
The Barstow School is an independent K-12 school offering a comprehensive college preparatory education from Preschool through Grade 12. The school operates a unified educational platform consisting of core academic programs (Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle & Upper School) augmented by signature programs including IDEA Space KC (STEAM learning center), BTVN (student media), Robotics (FRC Team 1939), Debate, Global Education, and STEAM curriculum. The school provides technology integration through its myBarstow portal and offers summer programs including AI Projects for grades 8-12. The institution emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, real-world application of knowledge, and whole-child development spanning academics, arts, athletics and character building.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Early Childhood Education (Preschool Prep, Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten) Early childhood program for students from approximately age 3 through Kindergarten with emphasis on play-based learning, developmental readiness, and foundational skills.
- Lower School (Grades 1-5) Elementary education program for grades 1-5 focusing on foundational academics, world languages, STEAM skills, creativity, and character development.
- Middle & Upper School (Grades 6-12) College preparatory program for grades 6-12 with rigorous academics, AP coursework, advanced electives, athletics, leadership opportunities, and college placement support.
- IDEA Space KC (Innovation, Discovery, Entrepreneurship and Arts)
Quantifiable outcome
- 10:1 student-teacher ratio
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Barstow School
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Barstow School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature2 records
The Barstow School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Cloud Forest SchoolcorePartner school in Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Colegio La MercedcorePartner school in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Deutsche Schule MadridcorePartner school in Madrid, Spain enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Groupe Scolaire Chevreul LestonnaccorePartner school in Lyon, France enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Launceston Church Grammar SchoolcorePartner school in Mowbray, Tasmania, Australia enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Lycée Anne de KievcorePartner school in Kyiv, Ukraine enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Man Kwan Pak Kau CollegecorePartner school in Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Institution Sainte Jeanne D'arccorePartner school in Dakar, Senegal enabling student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.
- Rainy Day BookscorePartnership for bringing visiting authors to campus, including Mac Barnett, Jordan Ifueko, John Gallagher, and Gita Varadarajan.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Barstow School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Harvard-Westlake School: Elite independent, nonsectarian K-12 school in Los Angeles with strong college-prep outcomes and signature programs in debate, robotics, and journalism. Closely mirrors Barstow's signature-program strategy.
- The Harker School: Independent, nonsectarian K-12 school in San Jose, California, distinguished by elite STEM/STEAM programming and signature programs in debate and robotics. Most direct STEAM-comparable peer to Barstow's IDEA Space KC strategy.
- Sidwell Friends School: Top-tier independent, nonsectarian PK-12 school in Washington, D.C., consistently cited as a leading college-prep institution. Comparable in scale, academic outcomes, and Quaker-influenced values-driven positioning.
- Lakeside School: Independent, nonsectarian 5-12 school in Seattle recognized for college-prep excellence and signature programs in debate, robotics, and global education. Closely comparable in mission, scale, and programmatic differentiation.
- The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy: Jewish day school in the Kansas City metro offering college-prep education from early childhood through grade 12. Competes for the same tuition-paying, college-prep-oriented KC families.
- Greenhill School: Independent, nonsectarian PK-12 school in Dallas, TX, with signature programs in debate, robotics, and the arts. Barstow's new head Art Hall served there, indicating a directly transferable operating model.
- Pembroke Hill School: Independent, nonsectarian K-12 school in Kansas City serving ~1,200 students. Most direct head-to-head competitor in the same metro, drawing from overlapping ZIP codes in Kansas and Missouri.
- Rockhurst High School: Jesuit Catholic college-preparatory high school for boys in Kansas City. Direct competitor for college-bound families in the same metro, especially in upper-school admissions.
- Francis W. Parker School: Independent, nonsectarian K-12 school in Chicago emphasizing progressive, interdisciplinary college-prep education. Comparable in mission, signature-program emphasis, and tuition positioning to Barstow.
Emerging players
- BASIS Charter Schools: Network of high-achieving public charter and independent schools emphasizing AP coursework, STEM, and college-prep outcomes. Partial overlap with Barstow's academic-rigor narrative but operates a tuition-free or lower-cost model that pressures premium private schools' value proposition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Barstow School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Barstow School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Barstow School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Barstow School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Barstow School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Barstow School
What does The Barstow School do?
The Barstow School is an independent K-12 college preparatory school operating a unified educational platform spanning Preschool through Grade 12, with signature programs in STEAM, robotics, debate, BTVN, and global education. The school delivers instruction through its main Kansas City campus and global campuses in China and Ghana, supported by the IDEA Space KC STEAM learning center. Core revenue derives from tuition, with financial assistance provided to approximately 33% of students.
Is The Barstow School a public or private company?
The Barstow School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Barstow School founded?
The Barstow School was founded in 1884. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Barstow School based?
The Barstow School is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Barstow School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition is the primary driver. The others are summer Programs and donations and Fundraising.
Who are The Barstow School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Harvard-Westlake School, The Harker School, Sidwell Friends School, Lakeside School, The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Greenhill School, Pembroke Hill School, Rockhurst High School and Francis W. Parker School. BASIS Charter Schools is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Barstow School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Barstow School.
What industry is The Barstow School in?
The Barstow School's product category is Independent K-12 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAB, Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools, with a secondary code of EDACABAM, Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.