Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science

What Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science does

Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science (SBHS) is a tuition-free public charter school founded in 1997 in Wilson, North Carolina, by Dr. JoAnne Woodard, serving over 1,200 students in grades K-12. The school differentiates itself through an arts-integrated curriculum (dance, music, theatre, visual arts, band, chorus) combined with a unique high school biotechnology program featuring an NC State University partnership and dual-credit courses with Wilson Community College, alongside a study abroad program running since 1999 that has sent students to over 10 countries. SBHS holds a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School designation (Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing School), a 2025 Model Charter School award, and in 2025 earned its first-ever 'A' on the North Carolina state report card while ranking in the top 1-2% of NC schools for academic growth.

The business model is that of a 501(c)(3) public charter school: revenue is driven primarily by per-pupil state funding allocations from North Carolina based on enrollment (with categorical weights for the 62% economically disadvantaged and ~170 English Learner students served), supplemented by philanthropic grants and donations (Golden LEAF Foundation $120,986 in 2025, Burroughs Wellcome Fund $175,000 CAST Award in 2025, Building Hope $20,000 Model Charter award in 2025, and an undisclosed MacKenzie Scott gift supporting K-12 facilities expansion). GTM is direct-to-consumer via a lottery-based enrollment system (Lotterease platform) with documented waiting lists, operating from a single Wilson, NC campus that has expanded from K-8 to K-12 since 2020.

The organization is led by Founder/Executive Director Dr. JoAnne Woodard with a management team including a Chief Communications Officer, Assistant Director/Dean of Business, Principal Glenn Reaves, Dean of the Arts and Humanities, Athletic Director, CTE Coordinator, and Dean of Student Services. Recent strategic moves include a new Telehealth Clinic launched October 2025, dedicated courtyard/playground facilities in November 2024, and an ongoing auditorium renovation — supported by repeat institutional philanthropy and a series of state and national awards recognizing academic performance and growth.

Name

Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science

Legal name

Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science

Website

https://salliebhowardschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science is a tuition-free K-12 public charter school in Wilson, NC, founded in 1997 and serving 1,200+ students with an arts-integrated curriculum, unique biotechnology program, and international study abroad offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Arts & Performing Arts Schools (EDAJACAH), Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE) (EDAJAAAF)

Keywords

• Public charter school
• K-12 education
• Arts education
• Biotechnology program
• Study abroad program

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school, SBHS receives per-pupil funding from the state of North Carolina based on enrollment. This is the primary revenue source supporting operations, faculty salaries, and programs.
2. Philanthropic Donations: Private donations from individuals and foundations including MacKenzie Scott, used for facilities expansion, programming improvements, and teacher retention initiatives.
3. Competitive Grants: Grant funding from organizations such as Golden LEAF Foundation ($120,986 for biotechnology expansion), Burroughs Wellcome Fund ($175,000 CAST Award), and Wilson County ABC Board for specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science is a free, public charter school operating since 1997 in Wilson, North Carolina, serving over 1,200 students in grades K-12. It delivers an arts-integrated curriculum with specialized offerings including a one-of-a-kind high school biotechnology program (with NC State University partnership), a study abroad program operating since 1999, and dual credit courses with Wilson Community College. The school operates under North Carolina's charter school legislation and is funded primarily through state per-pupil allocations and private philanthropy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-12 Charter School Education Tuition-free K-12 public education program serving over 1,200 students, based on Common Core and Essential Standards, with arts integration across all grades and college/career readiness focus.
• Arts Education Program Comprehensive arts curriculum across K-12 covering dance, music, theatre arts, visual arts, band, chorus, crafts and decor, and multimedia, with highly-trained, award-winning arts instructors.
• High School Biotechnology Program One-of-a-kind high school biotechnology program with dual credit courses, hands-on labs, and an NC State University partnership focused on bio-sustainability for high school students.
• Study Abroad Program International travel program sending K-12 students to countries including Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Mexico, India, China, Alaska, Australia, Cuba, and South Africa since 1999.
• Dual Credit College Courses High school students earn college credits through dual credit courses provided in partnership with Wilson Community College.
• Athletic Program School athletic program including basketball and other sports for students, established in 2007 with 25+ years of coaching leadership.
• Telehealth Clinic School-based telehealth service providing healthcare access to enrolled students, scheduled for launch on October 1, 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% high school EOC proficiency rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wilson County Substance Prevention CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Partnered with SBHS Middle School SGA for substance prevention campaign providing education on drug and alcohol use among youth
• Wilson Police DepartmentminorOthers · 18 April 2024Presented at SBHS assembly during substance prevention campaign to educate students on dangers of drugs and alcohol
• GreenlightNCminorOthersCommunity partner listed on school website supporting educational initiatives
• SyscominorOthersCorporate partner supporting school programs and operations
• Wilson Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides dual credit courses for SBHS high school students allowing them to earn college credits while in high school
• Barton CollegeminorOthersLocal college partner listed on school website
• BB&T (Truist Financial)minorOthersBanking partner supporting school through donations and community investment
• NC State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiotech teacher Brandi Simonof secured relationship with NC State University promoting bio-sustainability for future generations and creating hands-on lab opportunities for students

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• KIPP North Carolina Public Schools: KIPP NC operates a network of public charter schools across eastern North Carolina (including Rocky Mount and Gaston) serving K-12 students from low-income communities. Direct comparable as a multi-site NC charter network with college-prep mission, lottery enrollment, and similar per-pupil funding model.
• BASIS Charter Schools: BASIS operates high-performing public charter campuses nationally known for rigorous college-prep academics and STEM focus. Comparable to SBHS as a high-achieving K-12 charter with specialized STEM/sciences curriculum and a track record of top-tier state rankings.
• Achievement First: Achievement First runs a network of K-12 public charter schools serving predominantly low-income students with a college-prep focus. Comparable to SBHS on mission (closing achievement gaps for disadvantaged students), public charter funding model, and emphasis on measurable academic outcomes.
• Uncommon Schools: Nonprofit charter management organization running high-performing K-12 public charter schools primarily in the Northeast. Comparable to SBHS on mission (rigorous college prep for low-income students), performance track record, and commitment to closing achievement gaps.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: NYC-based charter network widely recognized for top-tier academic outcomes and lottery-based enrollment with high waitlists. Comparable to SBHS on the combination of outsized academic results, demand-driven lottery admissions, and arts/STEM enrichment programs.
• Avenues: The World School: Private K-12 school with a global curriculum including study abroad and language immersion. Comparable to SBHS on the distinctive integration of international travel and cross-cultural education, though private rather than public charter.

Broad incumbents

• Charter Schools USA: Large for-profit education management organization operating charter schools across multiple states. Comparable to SBHS as a charter operator with centralized management, though much larger and for-profit; relevant for understanding replication and CMO partnership paths.
• National Heritage Academies: Operates a large network of public charter schools with a strong emphasis on character education and college prep. Comparable as a multi-state charter operator with similar per-pupil funding economics and K-12 college-prep positioning.

Regional players

• Wilson County Public Schools: Traditional public school district serving the same Wilson, NC geography as SBHS. Comparable as the primary local alternative that SBHS families choose from or against; relevant for analyzing per-pupil funding benchmarks and enrollment competition in the same county.
• Carolina International School: NC-based charter school with an International Baccalaureate curriculum emphasizing global perspectives and language immersion. Comparable to SBHS on the integration of international/global education within a NC charter framework, though IB-focused rather than arts-and-biotech focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SallieBHoward
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/salliebhowardschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/salliebhowardschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/salliebhoward

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science