We Lead CS

What We Lead CS does

We Lead CS (also operating as We Lead Virtual Computer Science Academy) is a statewide virtual computer science education program serving Kentucky high school students. Established by the Kentucky General Assembly under House Bill 680 in 2022 and operationalized in 2024 with $3 million in state appropriations, the program delivers remote computer science instruction through partnerships with Kentucky school districts, addressing the state's shortage of qualified CS teachers and limited curriculum access in rural counties. The platform offers five dual-credit career pathways (computer programming, cybersecurity, data science, network administration, and network security) that enable students to earn up to 23 hours of transferable college credit via authorized partnerships with Kentucky community colleges and universities, alongside work-based learning components including virtual job shadowing, resume development, interview preparation, GitHub collaboration, LinkedIn profile building, career camps, and paid internship opportunities.

The business model is a B2B2C construct. School districts contract with We Lead CS through Memorandum of Understanding agreements containing tiered discount incentives (up to 35% combined) tied to MOU, student schedule, and student roster submission deadlines. Individual students access the program via their district's scheduling process on a first-come, first-served seat allocation. Revenue derives from two sources: state legislative appropriations as the primary anchor and recurring district MOU-based program fees. Distribution is exclusively through Kentucky public school districts, supplemented by an Employer Advisory Board (Procter & Gamble, GE Aviation, 5/3 Bank, 84.51, Great American Insurance) and regional partners (INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky Chamber) that supply internships and talent pipeline connections. Headquartered in Frankfort, Kentucky with 1-10 employees, the program achieved a 226% enrollment increase in its first operational year (2024-2025) and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 2020 as one of five most innovative ideas for expanding rural computer science access.

Name

We Lead CS

Legal name

We Lead CS

Website

https://weleadcs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

We Lead CS is a Kentucky statewide virtual computer science academy delivering remote CS instruction, dual college credit, and work-based learning to high school students through school district partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Computer Science Education

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual CTE & Career Pathways Programs (K–12) (EDAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC)

Keywords

• Computer science education
• Virtual K-12 programs
• Dual credit pathways
• Work-based learning
• STEM career preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: We Lead CS received $3 million in state funding from the Kentucky General Assembly to launch and operate the statewide virtual computer science program. Revenue is derived from legislative appropriations rather than direct student or district fees.
2. District MOU-Based Enrollment: School districts enter into Memorandum of Understanding agreements with We Lead CS. Districts receive discounted rates for early MOU submission (25% discount by January 30, 2026, additional 10% discounts for timely submissions). Revenue flows through district budget allocations for educational programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

We Lead CS delivers a statewide virtual computer science career academy for Kentucky high school students, delivered via interactive remote classrooms by certified Kentucky teachers. The program offers five dual college credit career pathways (computer programming, cybersecurity, data science, network administration, and network security) enabling students to earn up to 23 hours of transferable college credit, complemented by work-based learning opportunities with major employer partners including resume development, interview preparation, virtual job shadowing, and paid internships.

Product overview

We Lead CS is a single unified virtual computer science career academy for Kentucky high school students, consisting of five core dual credit career pathways (computer programming, cybersecurity, data science, network administration, and network security) supported by work-based learning opportunities with employer partners, and personalized College & Career Coaching services. The program enables students to earn up to 23 hours of college credit while developing professional skills through GitHub collaboration, LinkedIn profile building, virtual job shadowing, and paid internships with major employers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• We Lead Virtual Computer Science Academy Statewide virtual program offering computer science education to Kentucky high school students through interactive remote classrooms with personalized teaching, College & Career Coaching, and curriculum aligned to industry workforce needs. Delivered to school districts via Memorandum of Understanding and reached 226% enrollment growth in its inaugural 2024-2025 academic year.
• Dual College Credit Career Pathways Five dual-credit pathways in computer programming, cybersecurity, data science, network administration, and network security, enabling students to earn up to 23 hours of college credit transferable to associate or bachelor's degree programs while still in high school.
• Work-Based Learning Program Connects students with industry partners (5/3 Bank, 84.51, GE Aviation, Great American Insurance, Procter & Gamble) for resume development, interview preparation, virtual job shadowing, career camps, and paid internship opportunities in technology roles.
• College & Career Coaching Personalized coaching service providing each We Lead CS student with a dedicated College & Career Coach to guide program experiences, maximize the value of dual college credits, and prepare for tech workforce entry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can earn up to 23 hours of college credit while in high school
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• 5/3 BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Major national tech employer participating in We Lead CS work-based learning program. Students learn about career options and develop professional networks through virtual job shadowing, career camps, and internship opportunities.
• 84.51coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Tech employer partner in We Lead CS work-based learning program. Supports student career exploration and professional development through virtual engagement and potential internship pipeline.
• GE AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Major tech employer partner providing students exposure to aviation technology careers. Participates in virtual job shadowing, career development activities, and internship recruitment.
• Great American InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024National employer partner in We Lead CS work-based learning ecosystem. Offers students career insight and professional development opportunities in technology roles.
• Procter & GamblecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Flagship employer partner offering virtual internships and career opportunities. Student Ryder Rowe from Lawrence County completed a virtual internship with Procter & Gamble as highlighted on the We Lead CS website.
• INTERalliance of Greater CincinnaticoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Regional tech workforce organization partnering with We Lead CS and Northern Kentucky Chamber. Leading development of 4-year virtual work-based learning program in collaboration with U.S. Department of Education.
• Northern Kentucky Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Regional chamber featured We Lead CS to promote career pathways for area students. Supports employer engagement and regional workforce development initiatives.
• Kentucky Community Colleges and UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Higher education partners authorize We Lead CS teachers to offer dual credit courses. Students can earn up to 23 hours of college credit transferable to associate or bachelor's degree programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• iLEAD Academy: The originator of the virtual career academy concept that became We Lead CS. iLEAD Academy pioneered the model recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 2020 and spun out We Lead CS via Kentucky HB 680 — directly comparable in product, pedagogy, and target learner.
• CodeHS: Provides computer science curriculum, teacher training, and professional development to K-12 schools and districts nationwide. Direct overlap in CS pathway content and district B2B2C motion, though CodeHS is broader in subject matter and operates in a SaaS model.
• Project Lead the Way (PLTW): National nonprofit providing STEM and computer science CTE curricula to K-12 schools. Highly comparable on the career pathways and dual credit dimensions, with a similar district-partnership GTM and employer-aligned curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Stride (formerly K12 Inc.): One of the largest online K-12 education providers in the U.S., offering full-time virtual schooling and supplemental courses to school districts. Comparable in virtual delivery and district channel, but with a much broader subject portfolio than We Lead CS's CS-only focus.
• Connections Academy: Major online K-12 public school operator serving districts and families across dozens of states. Comparable in virtual K-12 delivery and district partnerships, but as a generalist curriculum provider rather than a CS-career specialist.
• Imagine Learning: Large K-12 digital curriculum and online learning provider, with CTE-adjacent offerings. Comparable as an established incumbent serving school districts with technology-enabled instruction.
• Edmentum: Provider of K-12 online learning programs, curriculum, and credit recovery offerings to school districts. Comparable in virtual delivery, district channel, and supplemental course model, though broader in scope than We Lead CS's CS specialization.

Emerging players

• Code.org: Nonprofit focused on expanding K-12 computer science access through free curriculum, teacher training, and advocacy. Comparable in mission and CS-curriculum delivery, but a noncommercial, grant-funded model rather than a district-subscribed service.
• TEALS (Microsoft Philanthropies): Program that pairs industry volunteers with classroom teachers to expand CS education in high schools. Comparable in CS-focused K-12 mission and employer partnership structure, but operates as a volunteer-led program rather than a paid subscription service.
• Codelicious: K-12 computer science curriculum provider with full-year courses, teacher training, and district partnerships. Comparable in CS curriculum content and district GTM, but at smaller scale and without the dual credit or employer internship layer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/We-Lead-CS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/we-lead-cs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about We Lead CS