Copper Island Academy
Copper Island Academy is a tuition-free K-11 public charter school in Calumet, Michigan, serving families across the Keweenaw Peninsula with a Finnish-model curriculum and hands-on Studio programs in technical, textile, and culinary education, funded by per-pupil state aid, grants, and community donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCalumet, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Copper Island Academy does
Copper Island Academy is a tuition-free public charter school authorized by Central Michigan University, operating on a 22-acre site in Calumet, Michigan within the Keweenaw Peninsula. Founded in 2020 and authorized in April 2021, the school currently serves grades K-11 with the 2026-27 enrollment period open, drawing students from roughly twelve communities across the peninsula via bus transportation. Its instructional model is built on the Finnish education system, emphasizing high levels of support for all students, outdoor and hands-on learning, 15-minute unstructured breaks after each 45-minute instruction block, and limited screen time, supplemented by a proprietary Studio Education program covering technical (woodworking, whittling), textile (sewing, knitting, weaving, embroidery), and culinary (gardening, preserving, cooking) skills. Core academics use Origo and Reveal Mathematics, Wit and Wisdom ELA with Orton Gillingham support, Amplify Science, and Michigan MC3 and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Social Studies.
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by Director Nora Laho, EdD, and Principal Steve Aho, with Mrs. Jennifer Farmer joining as School Principal in January 2023. The operating model is community-led: enrollment is open to any Michigan resident meeting age requirements, with random selection drawings when capacity is exceeded, and the Studio program depends on volunteer time from local artisans and elderly community members. Revenue is a hybrid of per-pupil state funding (the primary stream), competitive state grants (notably a $118,520 READ Innovation Grant in 2025 and a $5,000 CMU Innovation and Vision Award in 2024), and tax-deductible donations channeled through the affiliated 501(c)(3) Friends of Copper Island Academy, which is currently running a high school giving campaign with $500,000 in pledged matching funds. There is no tuition revenue, no parent company, and no private equity or venture capital ownership disclosed.
Copper Island Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Copper Island Academy
- Legal name
- Copper Island Academy
- Website
- https://copperislandacademy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Copper Island Academy is a tuition-free K-11 public charter school in Calumet, Michigan, serving families across the Keweenaw Peninsula with a Finnish-model curriculum and hands-on Studio programs in technical, textile, and culinary education, funded by per-pupil state aid, grants, and community donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Copper Island Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Charter School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK), International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)
Keywords
Where Copper Island Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calumet
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Copper Island Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Per-Pupil State Funding: As a charter school, receives state funding based on the number of students enrolled. Charter schools typically receive less overall funding than traditional public schools, requiring supplementation through grants and donations.
- Grants: Pursues state grants such as the $118,520 READ Innovation Grant for Woods to Words literacy project, Michigan Arts & Culture Council grants, and other educational grants to supplement funding.
- Donations: Friends of Copper Island Academy (501(c)(3) nonprofit) accepts donations to support school programs, pathways (STEM, Business/Entrepreneurship, Skilled Trades, Health Science/Human Services), athletics, and specific programs. Currently running a high school giving campaign with $500,000 in matching funds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free public education for all enrolled students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Copper Island Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Copper Island Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students from kindergarten through grade 11 (expanding to 12th grade) in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. It delivers K-12 education grounded in Finnish education practices combined with traditional American values, including a Studio Education program (technical, textile, and culinary skills), traditional academic core subjects, athletics, and behavioral support services.
Product overview
Copper Island Academy operates as a single unified charter school offering K-11 education (expanding to K-12) based on Finnish education principles. The educational portfolio consists of traditional academic core subjects (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies) supplemented by specialized programs including Studio Education (technical, textile, and culinary skills), Specials programs (PE, Music, Band), Athletics, and behavioral support services. The school utilizes specific curricula including Origo Mathematics, Reveal Mathematics, Wit and Wisdom ELA, and Amplify Science. Recent additions include the Woods to Words outdoor literacy project and a 5th-6th grade band program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- K-12 Charter School Education Tuition-free public charter school education serving students from kindergarten through grade 11 (expanding to 12th grade) in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, implementing Finnish education practices combined with traditional American values.
- Studio Education Program An experiential learning program offering technical education (woodworking, whittling, outdoor projects), textile education (sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, embroidery), and culinary education (gardening, preserving, composting, cooking) designed to build 21st century competencies for students.
- Traditional Academic Programs Core academic offerings including English/Language Arts (with phonics, phonemic awareness, Orton Gillingham, Wit and Wisdom), Mathematics (Origo K-5, Reveal Mathematics 6-8), Science (Amplify Science), and Social Studies (Michigan MC3, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).
- Specials Programs Elective programs including Physical Education (with outdoor activities like snowshoeing, skating, skiing), Music, Band, and Studio courses in textile and technical education for enrolled students.
- Athletics Program Sports program for students including Winter 2025-26 athletics with a Sports Booster Club supporting student-athletes, designed to develop lifelong skills through athletic participation.
- Woods to Words Outdoor Literacy Project An outdoor literacy initiative bringing reading and writing instruction into natural outdoor environments using the woods, fields, and trails around campus for enrolled students.
- 5th and 6th Grade Band Program Band program offering 5th and 6th grade students opportunities to learn instruments and play together as a team.
Quantifiable outcome
- Michigan School Index Score of 99.03 for 2024-25 school year, second consecutive year above 99, placing school in top 3.5% of Michigan public schools
Companies that use Copper Island Academy
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Copper Island Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Copper Island Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tim WalkercoreFinnish education expert, author, and videographer who spent multiple years teaching in Finland. Authored 'Teach Like Finland' which served as a blueprint for CIA's adoption of Finnish education practices. Provides ongoing professional learning, model development and implementation support for school administration and staff, and supports marketing and communication strategies.
- Central Michigan University - The Center for Charter SchoolscoreAuthorized Copper Island Academy through CMU's Board of Trustees vote. Provides ongoing partnership support for charter school operations, including annual recognition programs such as the Innovation and Vision Award.
- Local Community Members and BusinessescoreCommunity members frequently share knowledge, experiences, and professions with students through the Studio program. Provides early exposure to career opportunities and abundance of opportunities in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Elderly community members work hand-in-hand with students in mutually beneficial hands-on learning experiences.
- Finlandia UniversityminorBoard member Steve Aho is a member of Finlandia University's Finnish Council of America. The school was founded with roots in Finlandia University's elementary education program, which graduated founder Nora Laho with a BA in Elementary Education in 2007.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Copper Island Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- International Schools Services: Nonprofit that supports international and globally-minded schools worldwide; comparable as an enabling organization adjacent to Copper Island's Finnish (international) curriculum orientation.
Direct peers
- Hei Schools: US-based network of Finnish-inspired schools, closely comparable to Copper Island Academy's Finnish education model adoption, though primarily focused on early childhood rather than K-12.
- National Heritage Academies: Michigan-headquartered charter school management organization operating dozens of public charter schools in the state, directly comparable as a same-state, same-model charter operator.
- BASIS Charter Schools: Network of high-performing charter schools known for rigorous academics; comparable to Copper Island on outcome-driven charter model and focus on measurable student achievement.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: NYC-based charter network consistently among the highest-performing public schools in New York; comparable as a top-tier academic charter operator with selective enrollment.
- Democracy Prep Public Schools: Charter network emphasizing civic education and high academic expectations; comparable as a mission-driven K-12 charter operator with strong state-test performance.
Broad incumbents
- KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): One of the largest US charter networks, focused on college-prep outcomes for underserved students; comparable as a scaled public-charter operator pursuing strong academic results.
- Green Dot Public Schools: Multi-state charter management organization focused on college readiness in underserved communities; comparable as a charter operator with portfolio scale and standardized academic frameworks.
- IDEA Public Schools: Large charter network with strong college matriculation outcomes; comparable as a high-performing, scaled charter operator pursuing similar academic-result-driven mission.
Emerging players
- Wildflower Schools: Decentralized network of Montessori-inspired charter schools; comparable as an alternative-pedagogy K-12 charter operator, though with a different pedagogical foundation than the Finnish model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Copper Island Academy social profiles
Digital presenceCopper Island Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Copper Island Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Copper Island Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Copper Island Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Copper Island Academy 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 Copper Island Academy
What does Copper Island Academy do?
Copper Island Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving students from kindergarten through grade 11 (expanding to 12th grade) in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. It delivers K-12 education grounded in Finnish education practices combined with traditional American values, including a Studio Education program (technical, textile, and culinary skills), traditional academic core subjects, athletics, and behavioral support services.
Is Copper Island Academy a public or private company?
Copper Island Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Copper Island Academy founded?
Copper Island Academy was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Copper Island Academy based?
Copper Island Academy is headquartered in Calumet, United States, in the North America region.
How does Copper Island Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Per-Pupil State Funding is the primary driver. The others are grants and donations.
Who are Copper Island Academy's main competitors?
International Schools Services is listed as an others. Direct peers are Hei Schools, National Heritage Academies, BASIS Charter Schools, Success Academy Charter Schools and Democracy Prep Public Schools. Broad incumbents are KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), Green Dot Public Schools and IDEA Public Schools. Wildflower Schools is listed as an emerging player.
Does Copper Island Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Copper Island Academy.
What industry is Copper Island Academy in?
Copper Island Academy's product category is K-12 Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAB, Public Elementary Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJACAK, Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.