Quest to Learn
Quest to Learn is a free NYC public middle and high school (grades 6-12) in District 2, delivering a proprietary game-based learning curriculum built with the Institute of Play and serving students and families through lottery-based enrollment in Manhattan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Quest to Learn does
Quest to Learn is a public middle and high school (grades 6-12) located at 351 W 18th St in Manhattan's NYC School District 2, operating within the New York City Department of Education system. It was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Play, a non-profit co-founded by Katie Salen that specializes in game-like learning and design thinking. The school's core pedagogical platform is its proprietary "7 Principles of Game Like Learning" curriculum, applied through Boss Level Week (a week-long interdisciplinary challenge for grades 6-7) and performance-based learning assessments that require students to demonstrate mastery via real-world deliverables — producing podcasts, proposing policy solutions to NYC elected officials, testing water quality and designing filtration systems, and designing skate parks.
The operational stack includes a STEM/Humanities/Arts academic core, AP courses, the Home Base advisory program for social-emotional learning, the Futures Office for college/career counseling, the CollegeNow dual-enrollment partnership with CUNY, and a state-of-the-art NBA STEAM Lab built with the NBA and Heart of America. Civic programming (Civics for All, Generation Citizen, NYS Seal of Civic Readiness) and enrichment partnerships (Inspiring Minds, Manhattan Youth, The High Line, Hudson River Community Sailing, Google) extend the core curriculum. Supporting technology is limited to Jupiter Ed for grading and parent communication; there is no disclosed AI, mobile app, or external API surface.
As a public school, Quest to Learn is free to attend and is funded through NYC DOE per-pupil budgets supplemented by a 21st Century Grant that underwrites the Inspiring Minds after-school enrichment portfolio. Enrollment is conducted via the centralized MySchools.nyc portal under the District 2 lottery, and the school markets via Instagram, weekly newsletters, PTA/SLT channels, and word-of-mouth within the District 2 family community. Reported outcomes for the Class of 2025 — 90% graduation rate (highest in school history), 94% college acceptance, 80% earning the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, and a NYSAA championship basketball title — are the school's primary commercial signal in lieu of any revenue disclosure.
Quest to Learn firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Quest to Learn
- Legal name
- Quest to Learn
- Website
- https://q2l.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Quest to Learn is a free NYC public middle and high school (grades 6-12) in District 2, delivering a proprietary game-based learning curriculum built with the Institute of Play and serving students and families through lottery-based enrollment in Manhattan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Quest to Learn industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Extended Learning Time Programs (After-School/Summer Intervention) (EDAJAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Community Service & Service-Learning Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAI)
Keywords
Where Quest to Learn is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Quest to Learn business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Public Education Funding: As a NYC Department of Education public school, Quest to Learn is funded through public education budgets. Additional funding comes from 21st Century Grant for after-school enrichment programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Quest to Learn product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Quest to Learn is a public, tuition-free middle and high school (grades 6–12) in New York City District 2 that delivers secondary education through a game-based learning curriculum co-developed with the Institute of Play and performance-based assessments requiring real-world application. The school supplements core academics (STEM, Humanities, Arts, AP) with specialized offerings such as an NBA-funded STEAM Lab, CollegeNow dual-enrollment with CUNY, the Futures Office college counseling program, the Home Base social-emotional advisory program, 12+ PSAL athletic teams, and civic engagement programs tied to the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness.
Product overview
Quest to Learn is a 6-12 public school in New York City's District 2, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Play. The school operates as an integrated educational platform combining game-based learning methodology with performance-based assessments. The core educational programs span STEM, Humanities, and Arts Electives, supported by specialized initiatives like the NBA STEAM Lab. The technology infrastructure includes Jupiter Ed for student information management, complemented by college preparation services through the Futures Office and CollegeNow partnership. The school offers over 12 PSAL sports programs and more than a dozen after-school enrichment programs through Inspiring Minds. Civic education programs including Civics for All, Generation Citizen, and the Seal of Civic Readiness complete the comprehensive educational offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Game-Based Learning Curriculum Interactive, game-like learning methodology developed with the Institute of Play using design thinking principles to engage students in problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Performance-Based Learning Program Assessment methodology where students demonstrate mastery through real-world challenges such as producing podcasts, proposing solutions to NYC elected officials, testing water quality, and designing skate parks.
- STEM Courses Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics coursework including coding and robotics for students in grades 6–12.
- Humanities Courses Literature and culture studies as part of the balanced academic curriculum for middle and upper school students.
- Arts and Electives Creative arts, drama, and digital design courses offered as part of the school's enrichment program for student creative development.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Courses College-level AP courses offered in subjects including English and Calculus, allowing students to earn college credits prior to graduation.
- NBA STEAM Lab Specialized science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics laboratory featuring physics experiments tied to basketball, coding and engineering concepts, and STEAM career exposure.
- Home Base Advisory Program Daily check-ins, mentoring, and peer collaboration designed to foster social-emotional growth, self-awareness, and empathy for all students.
- Futures Office College and career readiness office providing career planning, college application support, and workshops to prepare students for post-secondary success.
- CollegeNow Dual-Enrollment Program Partnership with CUNY's CollegeNow program enabling students to take college courses and earn real-world preparation for post-secondary education.
- PSAL Sports Programs Over 12 Public Schools Athletic League sports programs including basketball, baseball, soccer, bowling, and volleyball for middle and upper school students.
- After-School Enrichment Programs More than a dozen after-school programs offered through the Inspiring Minds partnership, including identity clubs, creative outlets, motivational talks, hands-on workshops, and skill-building activities.
- Civics Education Programs Comprehensive civic education programs including Civics for All, the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, Participatory Budgeting in Schools, and Generation Citizen partnerships that develop civic knowledge and engagement.
Quantifiable outcome
- 94% college acceptance rate for Class of 2025 (highest in Quest history)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Quest to Learn
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Quest to Learn technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Quest to Learn partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Institute of PlaycoreQuest to Learn was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Play, a non-profit organization that embraces game-like learning and design thinking to challenge all students. This partnership forms the foundational pedagogical approach of the school.
- Inspiring MindscoreMade possible by the 21st Century Grant, Inspiring Minds is the cornerstone of Quest's after-school enrichment programs. Offers motivational talks with professionals, hands-on workshops, career exploration, in-school internships, and over a dozen after-school programs including identity clubs and creative activities.
- Manhattan YouthcoreProvides middle school students with activities including musical theater, academic tutoring, table tennis, two full productions per year, and variety of clubs. Through Manhattan Youth, Quest offers sports programs where students can participate in MSAL competitions against other middle schools.
- The High LinemajorTeaching artists partner with Quest teachers and students on projects, installations, and art explorations. High Line interns focus on leadership development through civic engagement, arts and culture, horticulture and sustainability, public programs, and strategic partnerships.
- Hudson River Community SailingmajorHands-on nautical program teaching sailing basics, teamwork, and leadership. Students learn navigation, knot tying, and build leadership skills on the water through experiential learning on the Hudson River.
- NBA / Heart of AmericamajorNBA partnership with Heart of America enabled the creation of a state-of-the-art STEAM Lab at Quest to Learn. The lab supports physics experiments tied to basketball, coding and engineering concepts, and future career opportunities in STEAM fields.
- Civics for AllcoreQuest partners with Civics for All and NY State Education Department to provide students opportunities to earn the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness. Students develop civic knowledge, skills, and engagement through this program.
- Generation CitizenmajorStudents identify pressing community issues such as environmental challenges, equity concerns, or local infrastructure needs, and work collaboratively to research, propose, and advocate for sustainable solutions. Students engage with policymakers and present their ideas.
- CollegeNow (CUNY)coreCollegeNow partnership allows students to take college courses and receive real-world preparation for post-secondary education through CUNY's network of colleges.
- GoogleminorGoogle is one of many organizations providing real-world learning opportunities and field trips that connect classroom learning to students' interests and future goals.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Quest to Learn competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- High Tech High: California K-12 school network built around project-based, adult-world-connected learning. Comparable to Quest to Learn in its emphasis on real-world performance assessments, project-based pedagogy, and rejection of traditional test-based education.
- NYC iSchool: NYC DOE public 9-12 school with technology and innovation focus. Closely comparable to Quest to Learn in that both are small innovative NYC DOE public schools targeting college-bound students with project-based, tech-forward curricula and similar District 2/Manhattan families.
- Summit Public Schools: Public K-12 school network offering personalized, project-based learning with mentoring and self-directed pacing. Comparable to Quest to Learn's innovative K-12 model centered on student agency, real-world projects, and college-ready outcomes.
- Achievement First: Northeast-based charter school network operating primarily in NYC with rigorous college-prep focus and extended day/year programming. Comparable to Quest to Learn as an outcomes-driven NYC public school operator serving similar families in the same market.
- Big Picture Learning: National network of project-based schools centered on student-led learning, internships, and real-world experiences. Directly comparable to Quest to Learn's performance-based learning model and external partnership/internship approach.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: Large NYC-based charter network with a college-prep focus and outcomes-driven culture. Comparable as an NYC public school operator competing for the same families in the same geography with similarly rigorous academic positioning.
- Bard High School Early College: NYC DOE public early college high school where students earn college credit alongside their high school diploma. Directly comparable to Quest to Learn as an innovative NYC DOE public high school focused on rigorous, non-traditional pedagogy and college preparation.
- NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies: NYC DOE public 6-12 school in Manhattan emphasizing interdisciplinary, project-based learning. Directly comparable to Quest to Learn as an NYC DOE specialized public school with innovative pedagogy and high college outcomes.
- KIPP NYC Public Charter Schools: NYC charter network serving K-12 with a college-prep focus and extended school day for enrichment. Comparable to Quest to Learn as a NYC public school operator targeting similar families with extended learning time and high college-outcomes expectations.
Others
- Institute of Play: Non-profit co-developer of Quest to Learn's game-based learning curriculum and ongoing pedagogical partner. Related as the strategic co-creator of Q2L's core method—an enabling organization that helps Q2L refine its approach rather than a direct school competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Quest to Learn social profiles
Digital presenceQuest to Learn financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Quest to Learn leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Quest to Learn funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Quest to Learn 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 Quest to Learn
What does Quest to Learn do?
Quest to Learn is a public, tuition-free middle and high school (grades 6–12) in New York City District 2 that delivers secondary education through a game-based learning curriculum co-developed with the Institute of Play and performance-based assessments requiring real-world application. The school supplements core academics (STEM, Humanities, Arts, AP) with specialized offerings such as an NBA-funded STEAM Lab, CollegeNow dual-enrollment with CUNY, the Futures Office college counseling program, the Home Base social-emotional advisory program, 12+ PSAL athletic teams, and civic engagement programs tied to the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness.
Is Quest to Learn a public or private company?
Quest to Learn is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Quest to Learn founded?
Quest to Learn was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Quest to Learn based?
Quest to Learn is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Quest to Learn make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Education Funding.
Who are Quest to Learn's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are High Tech High, NYC iSchool, Summit Public Schools, Achievement First, Big Picture Learning, Success Academy Charter Schools, Bard High School Early College, NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies and KIPP NYC Public Charter Schools. Institute of Play is listed as an others.
Does Quest to Learn have an API?
No public API is recorded for Quest to Learn.
What industry is Quest to Learn in?
Quest to Learn's product category is Public Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAGAK, Extended Learning Time Programs (After-School/Summer Intervention), with a secondary code of EDAJAJAI, Community Service & Service-Learning Programs (School-Run). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.