MARIO Education

What MARIO Education does

MARIO Education is a for-profit, private education technology company headquartered in Dover, United States, operating a remote-first global team of 11-50 employees. The company builds and distributes the MARIO Platform, a student wellbeing, safeguarding, and support solution designed for international K-12 schools. The platform is positioned as school-wide infrastructure that engages educators, students, families, and school leadership in structured wellbeing and inclusion processes, with reported effect-size validation from an independent NASEN-published study (Cohen's d of 0.91).

The company's product surface extends beyond the core platform into MARIO Certification and Professional Learning programs, delivered in partnership with universities and methodology providers including the University of San Diego (graduate-credit-bearing accreditation), Novak Education (Universal Design for Learning content), and the University of Essex (independent research). MARIO generates revenue via custom-priced subscriptions to international K-12 schools, with reported customer retention above 97%, and additional revenue from professional learning and certification upsells. The company is bootstrapped with no external funding rounds disclosed and serves schools across more than 30 countries, including named flagship institutions such as NIST, UWCSEA, ISB, SFS, and AIS.

The business model is best characterized as enterprise EdTech SaaS with a professional-services and credentialing layer, targeting the international schools segment where regulatory and reputational pressure around safeguarding and inclusion is rising. Distribution is supported by independent research validation and industry recognition, including HundrED Top 100 Global Innovations (2026) and consecutive EdTech Digest awards (2025, 2026). Pricing is custom and contract-based rather than self-serve, indicating a direct sales motion suited to mid-sized institutional buyers rather than long-tail SMB distribution.

Name

MARIO Education

Legal name

MARIO Education

Website

https://marioframework.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MARIO Education provides a student wellbeing, safeguarding, and support platform for international K-12 schools across 30+ countries, complemented by certification and professional learning programs validated by independent academic research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Student Wellbeing & Safeguarding Software

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Intervention & PBIS Supports (Tiered, Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), Curriculum Design & Scope/Sequence (School-Led) (EDAJAFAA)

Keywords

• K-12 student wellbeing
• School safeguarding software
• 1:1 conversation framework
• Professional learning services
• MTSS implementation support

Headquarters

HQ city

Dover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription-based School Licensing: Schools pay for access to the MARIO platform with tiered packages (Core, Enhanced, Comprehensive) combined with professional learning packages (Basic, Capacity Building, Strategic Priority). Pricing is tailored to school size and needs, suggesting a subscription model with customization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MARIO Education provides a connected student support platform and accompanying professional learning programs that help K-12 schools move from student signals to coordinated action. The core package combines the MARIO Platform (student check-ins, wellbeing dashboards, learning plans, safeguarding workflows, accreditation evidence, and leadership reporting) with structured training and certification in the evidence-based MARIO 1:1 Conversation Framework, plus ongoing coaching, implementation planning, and a coordinated action system that assigns ownership and tracks follow-through across teachers, counselors, and leaders.

Product overview

MARIO Education offers a unified student wellbeing and support solution combining professional learning, a connected support platform, and a coordinated action system. The core offering includes the MARIO Platform (for student check-ins, 1:1 conversations, wellbeing dashboards, and leadership reporting), MARIO Certification and Professional Learning programs (including School Trainer & Coach Program, Self-Study Courses, Leadership Data Reviews, Implementation Planning, and School Success Support), and the Coordinated Action System for identifying needs, assigning ownership, and tracking follow-up. The solution operates across three platform tiers—Core (Know Every Student), Enhanced (Turn Insight Into Action), and Comprehensive (Coordinate Whole-School Support)—paired with professional learning packages ranging from Basic to Strategic Priority.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MARIO Platform Connected support platform for international K-12 schools that combines student and staff check-ins, wellbeing dashboards, 1:1 conversation tools, Personal Learning Plans, safeguarding workflows, MTSS support, advisory tools, boarding features, accreditation evidence, and leadership reporting. Designed for school leadership, counselors, advisors, and learning support staff.
• MARIO Certification Certification program that trains educators in the MARIO 1:1 Conversation Approach through structured practice and feedback, with graduate-credit accreditation from the University of San Diego. Designed for school educators and counselors.
• School Trainer & Coach Program Extended professional learning pathway that prepares selected school staff to deepen MARIO practice, coach colleagues, and sustain implementation over time. Designed for in-house school trainers and instructional leaders.
• Self-Study Courses On-demand courses that staff complete independently at their own pace, reinforcing the practices behind MARIO's 1:1 conversations and student wellbeing approach. Designed for school staff learning at their own cadence.
• Leadership Data Reviews Scheduled review sessions with the MARIO team that help school leaders read wellbeing and learning signals, prioritize support, and adapt systems over time. Designed for principals, heads of school, and pastoral leadership teams.
• Implementation Planning Co-planning service that fits MARIO into existing school routines, roles, and calendars so the rollout launches without initiative fatigue. Designed for school leadership during onboarding.
• School Success Support Ongoing partnership with a dedicated School Success point of contact for review, problem-solving, and continuous improvement throughout implementation. Designed as the post-sale customer success offering.
• Coordinated Action System System for identifying student needs, assigning ownership, following up, and strengthening support over time across teachers, counselors, and leaders with clear ownership and visible follow-through. Designed for student support teams and school leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cohen's d of 0.91 (top 5% of educational interventions) based on NASEN-published six-year retrospective study
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Novak EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Novak Education (led by Dr. Katie Novak) for UDL and inclusive practice expertise. Dr. Novak co-authored the NASEN-published study on MARIO effectiveness. Novak Education is listed as an advisor relationship.
• University of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate credit accreditation for MARIO professional learning programs. Professional learning is accredited for graduate credit by the University of San Diego.
• University of EssexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent study examining efficacy of MARIO's structured 1:1 conversations completed at University of Essex, with publication forthcoming.
• VantasupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndependent security review provider for MARIO platform. Vanta conducts security audits ensuring compliance with privacy and data protection standards.
• ClassLinksupportingTechnology or IntegrationSSO and integration partner. MARIO supports ClassLink for school identity management and single sign-on.
• CleversupportingTechnology or IntegrationSSO and integration partner. MARIO supports Clever for school identity management and single sign-on.
• 1EdTech (OneEdTech)supportingTechnology or IntegrationLTI compliance partner. MARIO is LTI compliant and part of the 1EdTech ecosystem for educational technology interoperability.
• ECIS (Educational Collaborative for International Schools)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner. Kam Chohan, Executive Director of ECIS, serves as MARIO advisor. ECIS is a key network for international schools.
• AAIE (Association for the Advancement of International Education)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner. Laura Light, Executive Director of AAIE, serves as MARIO advisor. AAIE is a key network for international education leadership.
• EARCOScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner. EARCOS is a network of international schools in East Asia providing conference and professional development opportunities.
• ISCA (International School Counselor Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner for school counselors. ISCA supports professional development and networking for school counseling professionals.
• SENIA (Special Education Network & Inclusion Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner for special education and inclusion. SENIA supports professionals working with students with diverse learning needs.
• FOBISIAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner. FOBISIA is the Federation of British International Schools in Asia, a network of quality international schools.
• AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner. AISA supports international schools across Africa with professional development and networking.
• Tri-AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation partner covering East Asia region, connecting international schools for professional collaboration.
• Greater Good Science Center (UC Berkeley)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner. GGSC at UC Berkeley focuses on wellbeing research that informs MARIO's approach to student wellbeing.
• Global Safeguarding CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafeguarding partner. GSC works to strengthen safeguarding practices in education globally, aligning with MARIO's safeguarding mission.
• The Safeguarding Alliance (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafeguarding partner. The Safeguarding Alliance is a UK-based organization working to protect children and young people.
• IFSELsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and professional development partner. IFSEL supports schools with research-informed approaches to student wellbeing and learning.
• Teacher HorizonssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRecruitment and educator network partner. Teacher Horizons connects international schools with educators.
• Beyond the Classroom AustraliasupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for Australian schools. BTC supports schools with professional development and student support implementation.
• North Shore LearningsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner. North Shore Learning supports schools with educational consulting and professional development.
• Eblana LearningsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner. Eblana Learning provides educational consulting and professional development services.
• IntellischoolsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation analytics partner. Intellischool provides data and analytics solutions for schools.
• LAC ConseliencesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner. LAC Conselience provides educational consulting services.
• HundrEDcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRecognition partner. HundrED identifies and promotes global education innovations, recognizing MARIO in their Top 100 Global Innovations for 2026.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ClassDojo: ClassDojo is a widely adopted K-12 classroom and school communication platform with expanding wellbeing and SEL features. While best known for classroom management, its school-wide communication and SEL expansions make it a competing platform for student voice and wellbeing workflows.
• Aperture Education: Aperture Education provides a K-12 SEL and student wellbeing platform including the DESSA suite of assessments, intervention tracking, and educator dashboards. It is a direct competitor to MARIO's check-in, dashboard, and wellbeing outcomes workflow.
• 7 Mindsets: 7 Mindsets provides an SEL curriculum, platform, and educator resources for K-12 schools focused on wellbeing, belonging, and student engagement. It competes with MARIO on the wellbeing curriculum and advisory program layer in K-12 settings.
• RethinkEd: RethinkEd delivers SEL, mental health, behavior, and professional development solutions to K-12 schools. Its combined SEL curriculum, behavior intervention, and educator training suite directly overlaps with MARIO's wellbeing, MTSS, and professional learning bundles.
• Panorama Education: Panorama Education provides a K-12 student success and social-emotional learning platform used by schools and districts for wellbeing surveys, MTSS support, and student support coordination. It is the most direct competitor to MARIO's platform in the K-12 wellbeing and student voice category, competing for the same international and US school customers.
• Branching Minds: Branching Minds offers an MTSS and student support platform for K-12 schools, integrating intervention tracking, accommodations, and SEL supports. It overlaps directly with MARIO's coordinated action system, Personal Learning Plans, and MTSS positioning.
• DESSA (by Aperture): DESSA is a social-emotional assessment suite widely used in K-12 schools to measure student SEL competencies and inform interventions. It overlaps with MARIO's evidence-based approach to measuring and supporting student wellbeing outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Navigate360: Navigate360 is an established K-12 safety, wellness, and preparedness platform covering SEL, behavior, and emergency management. It competes with MARIO's safeguarding and wellbeing modules from a broader, more enterprise-scale portfolio position.
• Securly: Securly provides K-12 student safety, wellness, and online monitoring solutions including wellness checks and SEL tools. Its broader student-safety portfolio positions it as a broader incumbent overlapping with MARIO's safeguarding and wellbeing offerings.
• Gaggle (by PowerSchool): Gaggle provides K-12 student safety monitoring, wellness, and SEL solutions, now part of PowerSchool. It competes with MARIO's safeguarding workflows and student wellbeing signals from within a much larger K-12 ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marioeducation
• Xx.com/marioeducation
• Facebookfacebook.com/marioeducation

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 MARIO Education