Uncommon Schools

What Uncommon Schools does

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charter school network that operates 52 free public charter schools serving approximately 20,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade across five Northeast cities: Boston, Camden, Newark, New York City, and Rochester. The network was founded in 1997 with the opening of North Star Academy in Newark and is led by Co-Chief Executive Officers Julie Jackson and Brett Peiser. Eighty-four percent of enrolled students are considered economically disadvantaged, and the organization's stated mission is to prepare students from low-income communities to graduate from college. Uncommon reports that 96% of its 6,000+ high school graduates have been accepted to two- or four-year colleges, and that alumni graduate from college at four times the rate of their lowest-income peers nationally.

The organization's core technology stack is data-driven instruction layered with evidence-based curricula, including the Illustrative Math problem-based curriculum in grades 5-6 and the UFLI Foundations phonics program for K-2 and intervention grades. AI-adjacent tools include a network-wide AI Literacy Class for students and the Lenny Learning platform used by social workers to streamline social-emotional learning lesson planning. Uncommon also publishes a portfolio of educator books (Teach Like a Champion, Driven by Data, Get Better Faster, Leverage Leadership, Reading Reconsidered) that have reached over 2 million educators globally, and operates the open-access High School Curriculum Hub providing AP course materials to high school educators.

Revenue is generated through per-pupil allocations from state and local governments, federal and state grants (including Title I and special education funding), and tax-deductible private donations as a 501(c)(3) entity. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via lottery-based enrollment, with families applying annually through city-specific websites; the organization also runs district partnership professional development programs serving over 3,000 teachers and leaders annually in New York and New Jersey. Customer segments include economically disadvantaged students (primary), students with disabilities, district partner educators, and a 6,000+ alumni community supported through the Alumni Impact program.

Name

Uncommon Schools

Legal name

Uncommon Schools, Inc.

Website

https://uncommonschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Uncommon Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charter school network operating 52 free public schools serving 20,000 Pre-K-12 students across five Northeast cities, primarily from low-income communities, with a mission focused on college access and graduation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

Keywords

• Charter school network
• K-12 education services
• College preparatory education
• Educator professional development
• Charter school management

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Per-Pupil Allocation): As a network of free public charter schools, Uncommon Schools receives per-pupil funding from state and local governments based on enrollment. This constitutes their primary operational funding.
2. Government Grants: Federal and state grants for educational initiatives, including Title I funding for economically disadvantaged students, special education funding, and competitive grants for specific programs.
3. Private Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations support programs, materials, and special initiatives beyond what public funding covers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Uncommon Schools operates a network of 52 free, public charter schools serving approximately 20,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade across five Northeast U.S. cities (Boston, Camden, Newark, New York City, and Rochester). The organization delivers rigorous, college-preparatory education grounded in data-driven instruction and evidence-based curricula, with the explicit mission of supporting students from low-income communities to and through college graduation. Beyond school operations, it extends impact through published educator books, professional development workshops for district teachers, an open-access High School Curriculum Hub, a summer enrichment camp, and alumni support services.

Product overview

Uncommon Schools operates 52 free, public charter schools serving 20,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade across five Northeast cities (Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester). The organization shares its educational expertise through published books (Teach Like a Champion, Get Better Faster, Driven by Data, and others), the High School Curriculum Hub for AP educators, the Uncommon Sense instructional blog, professional development workshops serving thousands of district educators, Camp Uncommon summer enrichment, and the Alumni Impact program supporting graduates through college and careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• North Star Academy: Charter school brand operating in Newark, New Jersey with elementary, middle, and high schools
• Roxbury Prep
• Camden Prep
• Rochester Prep

Products and services

• Uncommon Schools K-12 Charter Education Network A network of 52 free, public charter schools serving 20,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade across Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. Delivers rigorous, college-preparatory education focused on preparing students from low-income communities for college graduation.
• Teach Like a Champion A best-selling instructional techniques book by Doug Lemov, published by Uncommon Schools, used by over 2 million educators worldwide to improve classroom instruction.
• Driven by Data A practical guide by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo on using data to improve instruction, published by Uncommon Schools as part of their professional development resources.
• Get Better Faster: A 90-Day Plan for Coaching New Teachers A published book by Uncommon Schools providing a structured 90-day plan for coaching new teachers, part of the organization's educator training resources.
• Additional Published Books Additional books published by Uncommon Schools including Practice Perfect, Great Habits Great Readers, Reading Reconsidered, Make History, Love and Literacy, Driven By Data 2.0, A Principal Manager's Guide to Leverage Leadership 2.0, and Leverage Leadership 2.0.
• Camp Uncommon An immersive 2-week resident summer camp for Uncommon students in grades 4-9, operated in partnership with Change Summer, offering adventure, athletics, arts, and STEM activities.
• Professional Development Workshops Workshops and training programs for teachers and school leaders offered directly by Uncommon Schools and in partnership with Relay Graduate School of Education, serving over 3,000 teachers and leaders from public school districts in New York and New Jersey annually.
• Alumni Impact Program A program supporting over 6,000 Uncommon alumni with networking opportunities, reunions, career supports, college resources, and mental health support through partnerships with Marble Health and PeopleGrove.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% college acceptance rate for 6,000+ graduates
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Relay Graduate School of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Relay Graduate School of Education to improve classroom instruction. Relay is a teacher preparation program that aligns with Uncommon's instructional practices and provides pipeline of well-trained educators for the network.
• Change SummerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUncommon partnered with Change Summer to create Camp Uncommon, an immersive 2-week resident camp for students in grades 4-9. The camp provides summer enrichment experiences including adventure, athletics, arts, and STEM activities.
• NYC Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict partnership with NYC DOE, including District 5 superintendent collaboration. Uncommon offers workshops and professional development to traditional public school educators in New York City, extending impact beyond charter school students.
• New Jersey Public School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with public school districts in New Jersey offering workshops and professional development to district educators. Over 3,000 teachers and leaders from districts benefit from Uncommon's instructional expertise annually.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Achievement First: Achievement First operates a network of charter schools in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island serving predominantly low-income students. It shares Uncommon's college-prep mission, regional Northeast footprint, and emphasis on character education plus rigorous academics.
• Democracy Prep Public Schools: Democracy Prep is a multi-state charter network (NY, NJ, LA, TX, DC) operating college-prep schools in urban communities. It overlaps with Uncommon on K-12 college-prep focus, civic education emphasis, and Northeast market presence.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Success Academy is a high-performing New York City charter network focused on college-prep academics for low-income students. It directly overlaps with Uncommon's NYC footprint and shares a data-driven instructional model, lottery enrollment, and non-profit governance structure.
• IDEA Public Schools: IDEA is one of the largest U.S. charter networks, primarily in Texas, with a college-prep K-12 model serving low-income communities. Comparable to Uncommon in scale and mission, with similar operator playbook (AP-for-all, alumni support) though operating in different geographies.
• KIPP Public Schools: KIPP is the largest U.S. charter school network, operating K-12 college-prep campuses serving predominantly low-income students. It is the most direct comparable to Uncommon Schools given shared mission (college completion), multi-site network model, public per-pupil funding, and published educator curricula.

Broad incumbents

• National Heritage Academies: NHA is a charter management organization operating 90+ schools across multiple states, providing centralized support and back-office services to affiliated schools. Comparable to Uncommon at the multi-site operator level, with broader portfolio and management-organization positioning.
• New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE): NYC DOE is the public school district where 26 of Uncommon's 52 schools operate. It is the dominant K-12 incumbent within Uncommon's primary geography and a district partnership customer (Uncommon runs PD workshops with NYC DOE staff).

Others

• Teach For America: Teach For America is a national nonprofit placing teachers in low-income schools with a college-equity mission. Adjacent to Uncommon Schools in mission, talent pipeline, and educational-equity positioning, though operating a fellowship model rather than running schools directly.
• Relay Graduate School of Education: Relay is a graduate school of education and core Uncommon Schools strategic partner, training teachers and leaders aligned with Uncommon's instructional practices. Comparable as an educator-pipeline and PD peer that flows talent directly into Uncommon's network.

Regional players

• YES Prep Public Schools: YES Prep is a Houston-based charter network serving low-income students with a college-completion mission. Comparable operating model and outcome focus to Uncommon, though geographically isolated from Uncommon's Northeast footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uncommonschools
• YouTubevimeo.com/uncommonschools
• Facebookfacebook.com/uncommonschools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uncommon-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/uncommonschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 Uncommon Schools