New Story

What New Story does

New Story is a privately-held special education services provider headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, operating as Salisbury Management, Inc. Founded in 1997 by Paul Volosov, the company has grown into one of the largest special education networks in the United States, operating 81+ school programs and 40+ In-District Services programs across 7 states (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia). It serves 5,498 students in the 2024-2025 academic year through 728 district partnerships, with a workforce of 3,100+ educators, clinicians, BCBAs, and therapists.

The company's core offering is a continuum of evidence-based special education and therapeutic services delivered through two models: company-owned schools (under brands including New Story Schools, Rivermont Schools, Sage Alliance, Rebecca School, Aaron School, The Learning Spectrum, and others) and In-District Services (IDS) embedded within public schools. Service modalities include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), DIR/Floortime, Social-Emotional Learning, trauma-informed care, mental health counseling, and professional development for educators. The technology base is clinical and educational rather than software-driven, with outcome tracking against IEP goals (87% of students show stronger IEP progress).

New Story generates revenue through managed services contracts with public school districts, funded by IDEA, Medicaid, and state education budgets. Growth has been driven primarily by acquisitions (at least 16 school brands integrated since inception) and new district partnerships, with the most recent leadership team additions in late 2025 indicating continued scaling. CEO Jonathan Bicknell, appointed in January 2022 after serving as CFO, leads the company alongside a CFO with healthcare and government-services experience, a Chief Education & Outcomes Officer, and a General Counsel/CCO.

Name

New Story

Legal name

Salisbury Management, Inc.

Website

https://newstory.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

New Story is a privately-held special education services provider operating 81+ school programs and In-District Services across 7 U.S. states, serving 5,500+ students with autism, emotional/behavioral challenges, and mental health needs through 728 district partnerships and a 3,100-person clinical and educational workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL), Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA), District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ)

Keywords

• Special education services
• ABA therapy programs
• In-district placement
• Autism support services
• School-based mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Mountville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Special Education Services: Revenue generated from providing special education programs and services to students with autism, emotional/behavioral challenges, and mental health needs. Funded through partnerships with school districts and government education programs.
2. In-District Services: Consultative and placement services provided within public school settings, funded through district partnerships and IDEA funding mechanisms.
3. Professional Development: Customized workshops and training sessions for educators covering topics like trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, mental health integration, and behavioral supports.
4. Mental Health Services: School-based mental health support including counseling, therapeutic interventions, and professional development for educators on mental health topics.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

New Story operates a network of specialized schools and provides In-District Services (IDS) that deliver individualized special education, ABA therapy, mental health, and alternative education programs to K-12 students with autism, emotional and behavioral disabilities, mental health needs, and learning disabilities. The company serves students either in its own schools or embedded directly within public school districts via In-District Placement, In-District Consultation, and Professional Development offerings, funded through district contracts, IDEA, Medicaid, and state/federal education programs across 7 U.S. states.

Product overview

New Story is a network of specialized education and therapeutic service providers offering a comprehensive continuum of support for children and young adults with special needs. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio including its flagship New Story Schools brand, In-District Services (IDS) offering placement, consultation, and professional development, ABA Therapy, Special Education, Mental Health Services, and Alternative Education programs. The network comprises approximately 16 acquired school brands including Rivermont Schools, Sage Alliance Schools, Rebecca School, Aaron School, Applied Behavioral Services, Green Tree School and Services, River Rock Academy, The Learning Spectrum, Links Academy, Meliora Academy, The Pinnacle School, The Spire School, Woodhouse Academy, Thrive Alliance Group, Your Life ABA, and New England Academy, serving students across multiple states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Story Schools Flagship New Story brand operating specialized schools across Pennsylvania and Ohio serving K-12 students with social, emotional, behavioral, and learning needs in small, structured classrooms with multidisciplinary teams combining instruction, therapy, and positive behavior supports.
• In-District Services (IDS) Tailored range of solutions delivered directly within public school settings, including In-District Placement, In-District Consultation, and Professional Development. Brings specialized education, therapeutic, and mental health services into public schools so students can remain closer to home.
• In-District Placement (IDP) Integration of special education classrooms within public-school settings, staffed by New Story with licensed special education teachers, support staff, and BCBA oversight, with the goal of reintegrating students into general education environments.
• In-District Consultation Targeted consultative school-based services including assessment, strategic planning, in-school and in-classroom support, and professional development to bolster special education quality and empower district staff.
• ABA Therapy Evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis therapy delivered by special educators, clinicians, and therapists for students ages 3 to 22 with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities, with individualized treatment plans.
• Special Education Nurturing academic setting for students with autism, emotional and behavioral challenges, and learning disabilities featuring small class sizes, behavioral services, and therapeutic integration including ABA, MTSS, counseling, trauma-informed approach, and SEL.
• Mental Health Services School-based mental health programs addressing wellbeing of students diagnosed with mental illness, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other emotional or social challenges, including professional development for educators.
• Alternative Education Transformative learning environments with tailored academic programming infused with therapeutic support including counseling, individualized goal setting, transition support, and SEL instruction for students with mental illness, anxiety, depression, and school avoidance.
• Professional Development Customized workshops and sessions grounded in evidence-based practices covering trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, DEI, positive behavioral supports, mental health integration, and school refusal intervention.
• Rivermont Schools Therapeutic education schools for students with autism and behavioral or learning needs across Virginia campuses, part of the New Story network with a 35-year legacy.
• Sage Alliance Schools Therapeutic, college-preparation program combining rigorous coursework with therapeutic support for students in grades 4-12 in New Jersey and New York City.
• Rebecca School DIRFloortime-based school serving neurodivergent students ages 3-21 including those on the autism spectrum through a developmental, relationship-based model in Mount Vernon and New York City.
• Thrive Alliance Group In-District Services program in New Jersey focused on mental and behavioral support in public school settings, with in-school mental health programming and professional development.
• New England Academy Special education school serving students with autism and related needs in Connecticut.
• Applied Behavioral Services (ABS) Ohio-based network serving children and young adults with autism and related needs through school, clinic, and hybrid settings grounded in ABA with data-informed practice.
• Green Tree School and Services Philadelphia-based programs partnering with districts to provide specialized programs for autistic support and emotional support with related services and transition planning.
• River Rock Academy Pennsylvania-based alternative and special education programs partnering with districts to provide academics, counseling, and transition skills across 9 campus locations.
• The Learning Spectrum Ohio campuses serving children with autism and related needs through a whole-child, multidisciplinary model with compassion and practical strategies.
• Links Academy Accredited, year-round 1:1 instruction in person or online for grades 6-12 in Greenwich, CT and New York City offering personalized teaching and flexible pathways.
• Meliora Academy Meriden, CT academy specializing in serving students with autism through intensive, individualized instruction with collaboration between teachers, behavior analysts, and therapists.
• The Pinnacle School Greenwich, CT school supporting students in grades 2-12 with individualized academics and strengths-based approach for unique learning profiles.
• The Spire School Greenwich, CT school integrating rigorous academics with therapeutic support for students navigating anxiety, depression, and school avoidance.
• Woodhouse Academy Milford, CT special education school supporting adolescents with internalizing needs, autism, and learning differences in calm, structured environments.
• Aaron School K-12 school in New York City for students with learning differences, where educators and clinicians work together to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
• Your Life ABA ABA therapy services provider, BHCOE accredited, serving children and young adults with autism with tailored and targeted interventions in Virginia and Maryland.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of students show stronger progress toward IEP goals
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Groveport Madison SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2026New partnership expansion through new In-District Special Education program location at a GMS-owned facility. The site will serve students from six neighboring school districts, bringing specialized educational services closer to home and reducing travel time.
• Center for Black Educator DevelopmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 November 2024Sponsorship of Black Men in Education Convening (BMEC) event in Philadelphia, PA, dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and retaining Black men in education.
• Calvert County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023Your Life ABA (a New Story company) designated as qualified contractor to deliver behavior analyst consulting services to students with disabilities in Calvert County, Maryland.
• Currituck County and Surrounding AreascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2023Expansion into North Carolina through In-District Placement program using consortium model where multiple counties partner to fund specialized classrooms.
• Lynchburg City Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-District Services partnership supporting students with autism, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Services include ABA therapy, behavior data collection, professional development, and staff observation. Demonstrated significant reduction in behaviors and increased staff retention.
• Manassas City Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-District Services delivering targeted behavior support and consultation to reduce behaviors, build staff confidence, and increase student success. BCBA responds to 95% of behavior referrals within 24 hours.
• Mountain Gateway Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing postsecondary exploration and dual enrollment options for Rivermont Schools students through career and college pathway programs.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Sevita Health: Large diversified PE-backed (Centerbridge/Advent) provider of home and community-based health services, with the SESI special education subsidiary. Competes for special-ed mindshare at scale but is a much broader health-and-human-services incumbent rather than a focused K-12 specialist.
• Stride Learning (K12 Inc.): Large publicly-traded online learning and special education services provider with broad K-12 footprint including special education. Overlaps with New Story on online/virtual special education but is a much broader incumbent across general K-12, not a focused niche competitor.

Direct peers

• ESS (Educational Staffing Solutions): One of the largest U.S. providers of substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and special education staffing. Overlaps with New Story's In-District Services model and competes for related district procurement line items.
• ProCare Therapy: National staffing and services provider placing special education teachers, school psychologists, BCBAs, and related clinicians in K-12 districts. Competes with New Story's In-District Services for related therapy and behavior-analyst staffing contracts.
• The Menta Group: Operates special education private schools and in-district programs across multiple states, serving students with emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. Closely comparable in size, geographic footprint, and clinical orientation.
• ChanceLight Behavioral Health and Education: PE-backed (The Vistria Group) provider of behavioral health, mental health, and special education services to K-12 students, including school-based programs and in-district support. Closest peer in business model: combines ABA, mental health, and special ed schools alongside in-school services.
• Catapult Learning: PE-backed (Insight Partners) provider of special education, mental health, and Title I services to K-12 districts via in-school and in-district delivery. Operates a highly comparable dual model of direct schools plus embedded In-District Services, and competes head-to-head for the same district RFPs as New Story.
• Specialized Education Services Inc. (SESI): Operates special education schools and programs for students with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges; part of Sevita (PE-backed by Centerbridge). Operates an analogous model of acquired/operated schools plus in-district services — direct head-to-head competitor for district contracts.
• FullBloom (formerly Full Service): PE-backed (Olympus Partners) provider of K-12 behavioral and mental health services, special education, and trauma-informed programs, delivered in-district and through dedicated schools. Highly comparable network model with outcomes-driven contracting.

Emerging players

• Benchmark Human Services: Operates special education schools, ABA services, and adult day programs across multiple states. Smaller than New Story but directly comparable on special-ed school operations and ABA delivery, with overlap in several of New Story's operating states.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-story-management

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries16 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 New Story