Community Preparatory School

What Community Preparatory School does

Community Preparatory School is a nonprofit independent middle school founded in 1984 by Dan Corley and Robert W. Hahn in South Providence, Rhode Island, serving approximately 137 students in grades 4 through 8 on a single campus at 135 Prairie Avenue. The school delivers a college-preparatory academic program built on Kingian Nonviolence and a "Beloved Community" philosophy, supplemented by special subjects (Spanish, technology, music, dance, visual arts, physical education, social-emotional learning), competitive athletics, a diversified clubs program, and the fee-based CP After 3 after-school program. Curriculum frameworks include Responsive Classroom, IIRP Restorative Practices, Empowering Writers, and Wit & Wisdom ELA, delivered through a small faculty of approximately 15 dedicated educators (70% of whom are teachers of color) and supported by Google Classroom, IXL, Khan Academy, Accelerated Reader, and Renaissance Star assessments.

The business model is a hybrid tuition-plus-philanthropy nonprofit structure. Tuition is set at $18,800 for 2025-2026, but 87% of students receive substantial financial aid totaling more than $1,000,000 annually, and tuition revenue covers only 16% of the operating budget. The remaining 84% is sourced from donations, grants, and fundraising from individuals, corporations, and foundations — supported by a Chief Development Officer and Associate Director of Development. Admissions are managed through the Blackbaud platform and are selective, drawing primarily from South Providence and prioritizing economic and cultural diversity. Ancillary revenue streams include CP After 3 fees ($160/month), drop-in care ($10-$20/session), meal program ($2.65 breakfast, $4.45 lunch), and application fees ($30 standard, $10 reduced).

The school reports strong outcome metrics: 97% of students are accepted to competitive college-preparatory high schools (100% to Classical High School for Providence-based 8th graders), 83% of college-aged alumni have earned or are pursuing college degrees, and graduates have collectively secured more than $44,000,000 in scholarships. Following founder Dan Corley's 40-year tenure and the November 2024 opening of the Elenowitz Arts & Athletic Center, alumnus Adolphus Clinton (Class of 1988) is set to assume the Head of School role effective June 1, 2026.

Name

Community Preparatory School

Legal name

Community Preparatory School

Website

https://communityprep.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Preparatory School is a nonprofit independent middle school in Providence, Rhode Island serving approximately 137 students in grades 4-8, primarily low-income and South Providence families, with 87% receiving financial aid funded largely by donations rather than tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Middle School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

Keywords

• Independent middle school
• Private education services
• College preparatory program
• After-school enrichment
• Student athletics program

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Tuition revenue covers only 16% of operating budget. The school relies heavily on donations to fund the remaining 84% of operations. For 2025-2026, tuition is $18,800 annually.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The vast majority (84%) of the operating budget comes from donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the mission to provide financial assistance to low-income families
3. CP After 3 After-School Program: After-school program fees: $160/month for monthly enrollment, $15/day drop-in for weekdays, $10-20 for Friday drop-in sessions
4. Meal Program: School breakfast at $2.65 and lunch at $4.45 per meal, with free/reduced price options for qualifying students
5. Application Fees: $30 application fee for standard applicants, $10 for free/reduced lunch eligible students

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Preparatory School is an independent, nonprofit middle school in Providence, Rhode Island, delivering rigorous college-preparatory education to approximately 137 students in grades 4-8. The school provides a full academic program (language arts, math, science, social studies) supplemented by special subjects (Spanish, technology, music, dance, visual arts, physical education, SEL), competitive athletics, diverse clubs, and the CP After 3 after-school program, with 87% of students receiving substantial financial aid.

Product overview

Community Preparatory School is an independent middle school serving grades 4-8 with a comprehensive educational program built around academic rigor, character development, and community engagement. The core academic program provides instruction in language arts, math, science, and social studies, supplemented by special subjects including Spanish, technology, music, dance, visual arts, physical education, and social-emotional learning. Beyond academics, the school offers competitive athletics (soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, track and field, baseball), a diverse clubs program (chess, science, investment, gaming, gardening, law, journalism, and more), and the CP After 3 after-school program. The school recently completed the Arts & Athletic Center (Elenowitz Center), a major facility expansion. Financial accessibility is supported through a robust financial aid program benefiting over 90% of students, while admissions are managed through the Blackbaud platform. The school partners with programs like Read to Succeed for scholarship opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Academic Program Independent middle school education for grades 4-8 with rigorous college-preparatory curriculum covering language arts, math, science, and social studies, using programs including Empowering Writers, IXL, Accelerated Reader, Google Classroom, and Khan Academy.
• Special Subjects Program Specialized instruction in social-emotional learning, Spanish, technology, music and dance, visual arts, physical education, and health, taught by dedicated specialist teachers.
• Athletics Program Competitive athletics for grades 6-8 including soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, track and field, and baseball, with teams competing in regional tournaments.
• Clubs Program After-school clubs including chess, comics and manga creation, dance, non-toxic gaming, gardening, investment club, science club, fitness club, veterinary club, lawyers' club, and writing/newspaper club.
• CP After 3 After-school program running Monday through Thursday 3:00-5:30pm and Friday 1:45-5:30pm, offering study hall, tech-free activities, and Friday field trips for student support and enrichment, with monthly ($160/month) and drop-in ($15/weekday, $10-20/Friday) enrollment options.
• Financial Aid Program Need-based financial aid program awarding over $1,000,000 to more than 90% of students for the 2025-2026 school year, supporting access to a school where tuition is $18,800 annually.
• Arts & Athletic Center (Elenowitz Center) New arts and athletic facility completed in November 2024, named the Elenowitz Center, providing expanded space for the school's arts and athletics programs.
• School Meal Program Daily school breakfast ($2.65) and lunch ($4.45), with free and reduced-price options available for qualifying students.
• Admissions Process Selective admissions process using Blackbaud Admissions Portal including application submission, testing via Renaissance Star assessments, school visits, and enrollment management.
• Read to Succeed Partnership Program Summer reading program in partnership with Read to Succeed/Barbara Papitto's initiative, awarding $1,000 scholarships in CollegeBound Saver accounts per year (up to $5,000 over a student's years at the school) for completing reading challenges and Accelerated Reader comprehension tests.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% acceptance rate to competitive, college-preparatory high schools
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• ToucanTechcoreTechnology or IntegrationToucanTech provides the school's website platform and alumni/community database management, powering the school's online presence and communications infrastructure.
• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or IntegrationBlackbaud provides admissions software that streamlines the application process for families, serving as the primary platform for online applications and enrollment management.
• Read to SucceedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Barbara Papitto's initiative providing summer reading program. Students who complete six books and comprehension tests earn $1,000 scholarships in CollegeBound Saver accounts. Students can earn up to $5,000 over their years at Community Prep.
• Brown University / NASA Space Grant ConsortiumkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrown University connection through alum Maija Hallsmith '07 facilitated participation in NASA Space Grant Consortium's Plant the Moon/Mars Challenge, engaging students in space science experiments.
• Casey FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Project CHICK program where students hatch chicks in classrooms, learning about bird life cycles while helping preserve endangered Dominique chicken breed.
• Cox CommunicationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCox Communications made possible the visit of Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Mitchell to campus to share his children's book and inspire young readers.
• Accelerated ReadercoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline comprehension testing platform used in conjunction with Read to Succeed program to track student reading progress and comprehension.
• The Tomorrow FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvidence-based nonprofit providing financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling cancer at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Community Prep holds annual walk-a-thons in memory of alumna Anaija Griffin '20.
• Tim Vanech / Shorepoint CapitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLongtime CP supporter who guided Investment Club students in their annual portfolio decisions during Stock Market Game competition.
• White Family FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted school supply drive in partnership with Taco Comfort Solutions, providing folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons and other supplies for Community Prep students.
• Rhode Island Black StorytellersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted all-school assembly for Black History Month featuring interactive storytelling, traditional songs and rhythms, and performance about Black inventors.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Uncommon Schools: Charter K-12 network serving predominantly low-income students across the Northeast US. Strong mission alignment around college-prep outcomes for underserved students and uses similar outcome metrics (97% college acceptance, high persistence rates) as Community Prep.
• Achievement First: Charter K-12 network operating in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island (direct geographic overlap) serving predominantly low-income students. Mission-aligned with proven college-prep outcomes and competes directly for Providence-area families.
• Lincoln School: Independent K-12 school in Providence, RI with comparable tuition and mission orientation. Direct competitor in the Providence private school market for academically motivated families seeking small classes and college-prep outcomes.
• Blackstone Academy Charter School: Public charter school in Pawtucket, RI serving grades 5-12 with a similar college-prep mission. Direct Rhode Island peer competing for similar Providence-area families seeking rigorous college-preparatory education at no tuition cost.
• KIPP Massachusetts: Charter K-12 network serving predominantly low-income students in Massachusetts with rigorous college-prep focus. Closest mission-aligned network peer, though operating as a free charter rather than tuition-based private school - competes indirectly for the same demographic and donor ecosystem.
• Moses Brown School: Independent K-12 Quaker school in Providence, RI with a similar nonprofit, mission-driven model and diverse student body. Competes directly with Community Prep for Providence families seeking rigorous independent school education.
• Wheeler School: Independent K-12 school in Providence, RI serving a diverse student body. Most direct geographic and operational peer to Community Prep in the Providence private school market, competing for the same families and donor networks.

Regional players

• Brooke Charter Schools: Boston-area charter K-8 network with similar mission and college-prep outcomes focus. Operates in a different region but is comparable in serving a diverse, predominantly low-income student body with rigorous academic preparation.
• MATCH Charter Schools: Boston-area charter K-12 network with similar mission to prepare low-income students for college. Comparable outcomes methodology and rigorous academic approach, though operates as a free charter in a different metro from Community Prep.

Emerging players

• SEED Schools: National network of college-prep boarding schools serving underserved students. Different operating model (boarding rather than day school) but aligned mission and college-prep outcomes for low-income students comparable to Community Prep's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityPrepRI
• Instagraminstagram.com/CommunityPrep
• Xx.com/community_prep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Community Preparatory School