Crystal Academy

What Crystal Academy does

Crystal Academy is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) non-sectarian private school and therapy center based in Coral Gables, Florida, founded by the Palacio-Pike family in 2004 after their son David's diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The organization delivers integrated clinical and academic services to children ages 5 through adolescence with ASD, ADHD, Chromosome Disorders, Auditory Processing issues, Dyslexia, Sensory Regulation difficulties, Dyspraxia, and other neurological and developmental delays. Core service lines include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) built on the VB-MAPP curriculum, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Art as Therapy, combined with academic instruction in Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Educational delivery is structured through three classroom models (Focused one-on-one, Paired two-to-one, and Small Group) tailored to each student's developmental level, with supplementary community-based instruction across the Greater Miami Area.

The underlying platform is human-delivered clinical intervention rather than software; the technology component consists of evidence-based curricula (VB-MAPP), individualized program design, and supporting functions such as an in-house Insurance Coordinator who manages verification, authorization, appeals, and claims. Revenue is generated from multiple recurring streams: insurance reimbursement across 11+ commercial carriers (Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Psychcare, Concordia, AvMed, CMS, Magellan, American Specialty Health), Medicaid for Speech and Occupational Therapy, Gardener and McKay scholarships, and private school tuition. Go-to-market is community-led and referral-driven, leveraging partnerships with the City of Coral Gables Government, the Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's Mailman Center, UM-NSU CARD, and Miami Children's Museum. The customer base is B2C, composed of individual families referred through professional networks, insurance providers, and community awareness events.

Name

Crystal Academy

Legal name

Crystal Academy

Website

https://crystalacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Crystal Academy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) private school and therapy center in Coral Gables, Florida, delivering integrated ABA, speech, occupational, music, and art therapy combined with individualized academics to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays across the Greater Miami Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Autism Therapy Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Autism therapy services
• Special education programs
• Applied behavior analysis
• Pediatric occupational therapy
• Speech language pathology

Headquarters

HQ city

Coral Gables

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Reimbursement: Crystal Academy accepts and processes most insurance plans including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Psychcare, Concordia, AvMed, CMS, Magellan, and American Specialty Health. They handle billing, authorization requests, appeals, and claim follow-ups directly.
2. Medicaid Services: Now accepting Medicaid for Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy services, providing additional reimbursement revenue stream.
3. Scholarship Programs: Accepts Gardener and McKay scholarships for families who qualify, providing alternative payment sources beyond insurance.
4. Private School Tuition: As a non-profit 501(c)(3) private school, Crystal Academy provides academic and therapeutic services for children ages 5 through adolescence with developmental delays, serving elementary, middle, and early high school age students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Crystal Academy operates a non-profit 501(c)(3) private school and therapy center delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions (ABA, Speech, Occupational, Music, and Art therapy) integrated with individualized academic instruction for children ages 5 through adolescence with Autism Spectrum Disorders and developmental delays. Services are delivered through three classroom models (Focused, Paired, Small Group) in Coral Gables, with insurance and scholarship billing handled in-house.

Product overview

Crystal Academy is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) non-sectarian private school and therapy center offering a holistic, individualized program for children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. The organization operates a platform of integrated therapeutic and educational services consisting of center-based therapies (ABA Behavior Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art as Therapy) combined with academic instruction (Academics, VB-MAPP curriculum), parent training, and IEP support services. Educational delivery occurs through three classroom models: the Focused Model for children requiring constant direct attention, the Paired Model pairing two students with one provider, and the Small Group Model for children with developed shared attention skills. All services are available in a 501(c)(3) non-profit structure with insurance processing support and community-based instruction in the Greater Miami Area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Behavior Therapy - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy Pediatric occupational therapy services addressing sensory, gross motor, fine motor, and psychosocial concerns to support a child's ability to engage in daily activities and achieve fullest potential.
• Music Therapy Music therapy services provided by certified music therapists as part of the evidence-based therapeutic interventions program.
• Art as Therapy Art therapy services approached from a blended psychological and occupational therapy perspective, addressing both sensory and fine motor skills required for art as well as the psychological benefits of artistic expression.
• Academic Instruction (Private School Program) Academic instruction covering Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies, delivered through individualized educational plans with behavior therapy-based curriculum (VB-MAPP) for children ages 5 through adolescence with developmental delays, in a 501(c)(3) non-sectarian private school setting.
• Parent Training Training and support services for parents to help with language/speech stimulation, behavior strategies, and feeding difficulties to improve family dynamics and children's progress.
• IEP and School Consultation Individualized Education Program (IEP) support and school consultation services to assist families in navigating educational systems and advocating for their children's needs.
• Focused Model Classroom Classroom model for children whose development does not yet allow for large group shared attention, providing constant direct attention and individualized instruction for children requiring intensive support.
• Paired Model Classroom Classroom model pairing two students together with one provider to develop shared attention skills, maintaining a two-to-one children-to-teacher ratio.
• Small Group Classroom Small group instruction with teacher-to-student ratios varying from one teacher to three students and up, designed for children whose shared attention skills are sufficiently developed.
• Informal Placement Evaluation Free informal placement evaluation services to assess children's needs and determine appropriate therapeutic and educational placements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Evidence-based interventions delivered through individualized programs promoting communication, language, cognition, independence, and social development

Named customers2 records

Segments3 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

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of Coral Gables GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrystal Academy partnered with the City of Coral Gables Government in the production of the Emmy Award-winning documentary 'Embracing Autism, A Coral Gables Story.' Mary Palacio serves as a member of the Coral Gables Advisory Board on Disability Affairs. CA assisted the Coral Gables Youth Center with inclusion opportunities, training, and program development. CA has received grants from the Coral Gables Foundation.
• Miami Children's MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing inclusion and community-based instruction opportunities for Crystal Academy students.
• University of Miami Miller School of Medicine - Mailman Center for Child DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJairo Arana serves as a clinical project coordinator at UM's Mailman Center. Board member David Barbeito brings expertise from professional sports franchises and healthcare companies. CA works with UM-NSU CARD for professional referrals and training. Dr. Laura Olivos collaborates with community resources for optimal outcomes.
• Insurance Providers NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrystal Academy accepts and processes most insurance plans including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Psychcare, Concordia, AvMed, CMS, Magellan, and American Specialty Health. Now accepting Medicaid for Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hopebridge: Multi-state operator of ABA, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy centers for children with autism and developmental delays. Closely comparable integrated therapy model and payer mix to Crystal Academy, with overlapping Florida footprint.
• Centria Healthcare: National provider of ABA and behavioral health services for children with autism and related disorders. Competes directly for ABA referrals, insurance contracts, and BCBA talent in Florida.
• Behavioral Innovations: ABA therapy provider with clinics across multiple states, including Florida. Directly comparable in offering center-based ABA for children with autism under insurance reimbursement.
• Learn Behavioral: National ABA and behavioral health provider for children with autism. Competes for clinical staff and insurance-based ABA referrals in overlapping geographies.
• Autism Learning Partners: Multi-site ABA provider serving children with autism across several states including Florida. Direct competitor in ABA delivery, with overlapping insurance-based reimbursement model.
• BlueSprig Pediatrics: One of the largest US providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. Operates multi-site clinics and is a direct competitor for ABA services, payer contracts, and clinical staff in the Florida market.

Broad incumbents

• Bancroft: Non-profit organization providing special education schools, ABA, and therapies for children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. Comparable integrated education-plus-therapy model, though primarily serving the Mid-Atlantic.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large non-profit provider of behavioral health, special education, and autism services across multiple states. Comparable in non-profit, mission-driven operating model and integrated therapy-plus-education offering, though much larger and broader in scope.
• Easter Seals Florida: Established non-profit provider of pediatric therapy, special education, and disability services across Florida. Comparable in mission, non-profit status, and therapy-plus-education integration, with significantly broader geographic reach.

Others

• UM-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD): University-based autism support and resource center serving Florida families through consultation, training, and referrals. Although not a direct competitor (it does not bill insurance), CARD is a key referral source and ecosystem partner comparable to the role described for Crystal Academy within the South Florida autism services network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Crystal_Gables
• Facebookfacebook.com/CACoralGables

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Crystal Academy