Acera School
Acera School is a non-profit K-9 (extending to grade 10) private school in Winchester, Massachusetts, serving approximately 114-143 gifted students from 26+ Greater Boston communities through ability-based, project-based STEAM education, with year-round enrichment programs serving an additional 530+ families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersWinchester, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Acera School does
Acera School is a private, non-profit K-9 (extending to grade 10) school located in Winchester, Massachusetts, serving gifted students primarily from the Greater Boston area and surrounding New England communities. Founded in 2010 by Courtney Dickinson (originally as "Anova School"), the school delivers individualized, ability-based education to a small enrollment of approximately 114-143 students drawn from 26+ communities. The school distinguishes itself through a constructivist, inquiry-driven pedagogy that removes traditional grade-level ceilings, supported by 16 differentiated mathematics class levels, 40+ Upper School electives spanning humanities, sciences, engineering, technology, and arts, and an average class size of approximately 8 students.
The school's core product offering centers on its day school program, complemented by year-round enrichment programs (afterschool, vacation, summer) that served 693 students across 530 families with 2,814 registrations in 2025-2026. Curriculum architecture includes proprietary frameworks such as the Inquiry, Maker, Passion (IMP) Projects (2-4 hours weekly of self-directed, mentor-guided work culminating in bi-annual IMPposium showcases), ability-based mathematics placement, Creativity Stations ("Creativity Wednesdays"), Team Freeplay philosophy, and hands-on science labs modeled on professional research protocols. These are delivered through specialized facilities including an Innovation Lab/maker space, woodshop, science labs with microbiology and biotech capabilities, and an Adventure Playground. Acera functions as a lab school, partnering with MIT Media Lab, Tufts CEEO, Arduino, Scratch Foundation, and LEGO Education to pilot educational innovations (e.g., Acera students co-designed the next version of Scratch; Arduino featured Acera in its 20th anniversary campaign).
Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition of $38,700 (K-5) and $41,400 (grades 6-9) for the 2026-2027 school year, with new students paying a one-time $4,000 facility fee. Tuition covers approximately 75% of education costs, with the gap bridged by an Annual Fund philanthropic campaign; 90% of financial-aid applicants receive need-based support capped at approximately $17,000/year. Auxiliary revenue comes from enrichment program fees (~$550/trimester afterschool, $450-$1,200/week summer programs) and major capital gifts, including a transformative $3 million donation in 2022 that funded acquisition and renovation of a second campus building at 1 Lowell Avenue. The school has no external venture capital or private equity backing, is governed by an independent Board of Directors, and operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (Federal Tax ID: 32-0303877).
Acera School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Acera School
- Legal name
- Acera School
- Website
- https://aceraschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Acera School is a non-profit K-9 (extending to grade 10) private school in Winchester, Massachusetts, serving approximately 114-143 gifted students from 26+ Greater Boston communities through ability-based, project-based STEAM education, with year-round enrichment programs serving an additional 530+ families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Acera School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private K-12 Gifted Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inquiry/Project-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Gifted IEP/ALP/PLP Planning & Advocacy (School-Based) (EDAKALAC)
Keywords
Where Acera School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winchester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Acera School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition (Day Program): Main revenue stream from K-9 day school tuition. Lower School (K-5) costs $38,700/year; Upper School (6-9) costs $41,400/year for 2026-2027. New students pay one-time $4,000 facility fee. Tuition does not fully cover education costs; philanthropic support bridges the gap.
- Enrichment Programs: After-school, vacation, and summer enrichment programs serving 500+ families annually. After-school classes are approximately $550/trimester. Summer programs range from $450-$1,200/week depending on schedule. Includes Counselor-in-Training program for teens.
- Philanthropic Support (Annual Fund): Annual Fund campaign supports staff salaries, classroom materials, professional development, facilities upkeep, and conference sponsorships. Additional funding from capital gifts, restricted donations, and Love to Learn fundraising event.
- Financial Aid: Need-based financial aid awarded through School and Student Services (SSS). Awards based on demonstrated need with tuition capped at approximately $17,000/year for qualifying families. As of 2025, 90% of families who apply by deadline and demonstrate need receive aid. Diversity Scholarship Fund expands aid accessibility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Lower School K-5 annual tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | Upper School 6-9 annual tuition |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | After-school enrichment per trimester |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer enrichment programs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | April vacation programming |
| Subscription | Annual | Need-based financial aid cap |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Acera School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Acera School is a private K-9 day school that delivers individualized, ability-based, project-based gifted education to approximately 114-143 students annually at its Winchester, Massachusetts campus. Its core offering combines a constructivist, inquiry-driven Lower School (K-5) and Upper School (6-9) curriculum with ability-based mathematics placement across up to 16 levels, self-directed IMP (Inquiry, Maker, Passion) projects, and a hands-on Innovation Lab. Beyond the day school, Acera operates year-round enrichment programs (after-school, vacation, and summer) serving 500+ families and extends reach through AceraEI, a public school outreach initiative that has impacted over 20,000 students.
Product overview
Acera School is a private K-9 gifted education institution offering a unified educational program comprising the core day school, enrichment programs, and specialized academic offerings. The core day school program provides individualized learning through ability-based math classes, interdisciplinary project-based curricula, and the IMP (Inquiry, Maker, Passion) program. Supporting offerings include Creativity Stations for arts, a MakerSpace/woodshop for engineering, and narrative-based assessment. The enrichment division operates year-round programs (afterschool, vacation, summer) serving over 600 families. AceraEI extends the school's reach to public schools through outreach programs. The school functions as a lab school, piloting educational innovations in partnership with institutions like Tufts CEEO, Arduino, and Scratch Foundation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- K-9 Day School Program Private K-9 day school serving approximately 114-143 gifted students annually at the Winchester, Massachusetts campus. Provides individualized learning pathways, ability-based math classes (16 levels), interdisciplinary project-based education, Inquiry Maker Passion (IMP) projects, Creativity Stations, and hands-on Innovation Lab experiences. Tuition: $38,700/year (Lower School K-5) and $41,400/year (Upper School 6-9) for 2026-2027, with one-time $4,000 facility fee for new students.
- Enrichment Programs (After-School, Summer, Vacation) Year-round supplemental STEAM and creative enrichment programs for children ages 5-17, including after-school classes (~$550/trimester), summer programs ($450-$1,200/week), and April vacation programs ($95-$190/day or $700 weekly). Topics span engineering, biotechnology, math, arts, theatre, design, electronics, music, chemistry, and physics. Includes Counselor-in-Training program for teens ages 15-17. Serves 500+ families with 2,814 registrations in 2025-2026.
- AceraEI Public School Outreach Public school outreach initiative providing teacher training, curriculum toolkits, and leadership development to public school educators. Originally an Acera program, it became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in January 2026 and has impacted over 20,000 students. Provides access to Acera's constructivist, inquiry-driven pedagogical methods for the broader public school system.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of students applying to independent high schools accepted at a school they chose
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Acera School
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Acera School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Acera School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AceraEI (now independent 501(c)(3))corePublic school outreach initiative that became its own nonprofit in January 2026. Led by Courtney Dickinson as Board Chair and former Acera Director of Faculty Sarah Zuckerman. Has impacted 20,000+ students through teacher training, curriculum toolkits, and leadership development.
- Tufts Center for Engineering Education Outreach (CEEO)coreGraduate students co-develop engineering, design, and robotics programs with Acera faculty. CEEO conducts educational research with Acera students. Leaders from CEEO provide professional learning for Acera faculty. Tufts CEEO graduate students are hired as Acera Enrichment staff.
- ArduinocoreAcera featured in Arduino's 20th anniversary campaign for piloting robotics curriculum with younger students. Acera pilots robotics with younger students than typical Arduino user base. Acera feedback shapes Arduino tools and provides early access to new technology. Collaboration created new curriculum and provided free robots.
- Scratch FoundationcoreAcera students co-design the next version of Scratch, collaborating in workshops led by Design Director Tif Gagnon. Student insights help improve a platform used by 8 million kids worldwide.
- MindHive Lab (NYU)minorTeacher Alexis Hibbler piloted and refined MindHive's civic science curriculum at Acera, then helped train and design lessons with public school educators in Boston and NYC.
- MIT Media LabcoreLong-term partnership bringing thought leaders into classrooms and collaborating on educational technology and approaches. Students engage with cutting-edge innovations and researchers.
- MIT Tami Lieberman Microbiome LabcorePartnership with MIT researchers brought microbiology experiments into classrooms, making the unseeable world visible to students. Early collaboration from founding years.
- Boston University Social Learning LabminorAcademic partnership extending learning opportunities beyond the classroom through collaboration with BU researchers.
- One Brave Idea (led by Calum MacRae)minorResearch initiative partner bringing additional STEM research connections and innovation exposure to students.
- Angela Belcher (MacArthur Genius Grant recipient)coreEarly collaboration with MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Angela Belcher led students in building solar cells, bringing cutting-edge research into the classroom.
- Eric Alm (Microbiologist)coreEarly collaboration with microbiologist Eric Alm introduced experiments that made the unseeable world visible, part of strong STEM projects from Acera's founding years.
- Acera Parent Science AllianceminorParent group of science professionals who volunteer throughout the school year to expand and deepen student and teacher knowledge. Includes scientists from MIT, Novartis, Amgen, General Atomics, and university professors.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Acera School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Belmont Day School: Independent PreK-8 day school in Belmont, MA serving families in the same Greater Boston catchment as Acera. Competes for the same gifted and advanced learners using project-based approaches and small class sizes.
- The Nueva School: Nueva is a Bay Area K-12 independent school explicitly designed for gifted learners with project-based, constructivist pedagogy. It is one of Acera's closest analogs, and Acera board member Diane Rosenberg explicitly represents Nueva on Acera's board, signaling direct institutional familiarity.
- The Meadowbrook School: Independent K-8 school in Weston, MA with progressive, hands-on pedagogy. Overlaps with Acera in target demographic (affluent Greater Boston families seeking advanced, individualized education) and instructional philosophy.
- Beaver Country Day School: Independent 6-12 progressive school in Chestnut Hill, MA with project-based curriculum and strong STEM/arts programs. Overlaps with Acera's Upper School for families seeking ability-based, inquiry-driven secondary education.
- The Cambridge School of Weston: Progressive independent school near Boston with a long history of progressive, student-centered education. Board member Jane Moulding was formerly Head of School there, indicating close peer overlap in progressive-pedagogy positioning for advanced learners.
- Buckingham Browne & Nichols School: BB&N is a Cambridge-based independent school serving gifted and advanced learners across multiple campuses with a progressive curriculum. It competes with Acera for the same affluent Greater Boston families seeking ability-based education.
- Dexter Southfield School: Independent school in Brookline serving PreK-12 with strong STEM emphasis and a Southern New England geographic footprint. Competes with Acera for high-achieving Boston-area families at similar tuition tiers.
Emerging players
- Russian School of Mathematics: Large afterschool enrichment franchise with deep roots in advanced math for grades K-12. Competes with Acera's enrichment division specifically for parents seeking rigorous, ability-grouped math instruction outside the school day.
- Art of Problem Solving (AoPS): Online enrichment and curriculum provider focused on advanced math and contest preparation for gifted learners. Competes for the same student demographic on math enrichment and serves as an alternative channel for Acera's target families beyond the Boston geography.
Broad incumbents
- Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY): Established national gifted education institution offering summer, online, and family programs for advanced learners. Reaches a national geographic scope Acera does not and competes for enrichment-program spend and high-achieving student engagement.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Acera School social profiles
Digital presenceAcera School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Acera School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Acera School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Acera 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 Acera School
What does Acera School do?
Acera School is a private K-9 day school that delivers individualized, ability-based, project-based gifted education to approximately 114-143 students annually at its Winchester, Massachusetts campus. Its core offering combines a constructivist, inquiry-driven Lower School (K-5) and Upper School (6-9) curriculum with ability-based mathematics placement across up to 16 levels, self-directed IMP (Inquiry, Maker, Passion) projects, and a hands-on Innovation Lab. Beyond the day school, Acera operates year-round enrichment programs (after-school, vacation, and summer) serving 500+ families and extends reach through AceraEI, a public school outreach initiative that has impacted over 20,000 students.
Is Acera School a public or private company?
Acera School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Acera School founded?
Acera School was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Acera School based?
Acera School is headquartered in Winchester, United States, in the North America region.
How does Acera School make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition (Day Program) is the primary driver. The others are enrichment Programs, philanthropic Support (Annual Fund) and financial Aid.
Who are Acera School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Belmont Day School, The Nueva School, The Meadowbrook School, Beaver Country Day School, The Cambridge School of Weston, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School and Dexter Southfield School. Emerging players are Russian School of Mathematics and Art of Problem Solving (AoPS). Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Acera School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Acera School.
What industry is Acera School in?
Acera School's product category is Private K-12 Gifted Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACADAF, Inquiry/Project-Based Early Learning Academies, with a secondary code of EDAKALAC, Gifted IEP/ALP/PLP Planning & Advocacy (School-Based). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.