Relay GSE
Relay GSE is an accredited nonprofit graduate school of education offering MAT degrees, alternative-route teacher certification, and professional development programs to educators and school leaders across 12 U.S. states, serving 4,000+ students and partnering with 250+ school systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Relay GSE does
Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay GSE) is an accredited, New York-domiciled nonprofit graduate school of education founded from the collaboration of three major charter school networks (Uncommon Schools, KIPP, and Achievement First). The institution delivers practice-based educator preparation and professional development across three primary product lines: graduate degree programs (Master of Arts in Teaching degrees with or without certification across subject areas including Elementary, Special Education, Mathematics, Science, English Language Arts, and Early Childhood), state-approved alternative-route teacher certification programs in 9 states plus the District of Columbia, and professional education services spanning workshops, instructional coaching, and leadership fellowships (National Principal Academy Fellowship, Leverage Leadership Institute, etc.).
Relay's technology footprint combines online coursework (delivered via its web platform and supported by SARA-based distance education reciprocity) with in-person components at campus locations in New York, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. Its proprietary content library holds 6,850+ items including 5,080 internally-produced teaching practice videos. The institution is developing an AI-enabled teaching simulator (announced 2025, in development) and integrates with Anthology Student for enrollment management. Backend analytics/marketing integrations include Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and Meta Custom Audiences.
The business model is a nonprofit tuition-and-contribution hybrid: revenue is generated from graduate program tuition (recurring per-program), teacher certification program fees, and professional services contracts with school districts and charter networks, supplemented by major foundation grants (Gates, Walton, Carnegie, Schusterman). GTM is hybrid: direct online applications through apply.relay.edu with admissions liaison support, plus enterprise partnerships with 250+ school systems and national pipeline organizations (Teach for America, City Year, AmeriCorps). In 2024, Relay announced an integration with Teaching Lab (pending regulatory approval) that will combine its degree pipeline with Teaching Lab's professional development reach across 50+ school systems serving 10,000+ teachers annually.
Relay GSE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Relay GSE
- Legal name
- Relay Graduate School of Education
- Website
- https://relay.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Relay GSE is an accredited nonprofit graduate school of education offering MAT degrees, alternative-route teacher certification, and professional development programs to educators and school leaders across 12 U.S. states, serving 4,000+ students and partnering with 250+ school systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Relay GSE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Teacher Education Services
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- RTI/MTSS Framework Implementation & Tiered Supports (EDAJAGAD), English Language Learner (ELL/ESL) Academic Catch-Up & Bridge Programs (EDANAJAL)
Keywords
Where Relay GSE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Relay GSE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Graduate Degree Programs: Relay offers Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees with or without certification. Students pay tuition for advanced degrees in education fields including elementary education, special education, and subject-specific teaching areas.
- Teacher Certification Programs: Alternative route teacher certification programs including state-approved educator preparation programs in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and District of Columbia.
- Professional Education Services: Ongoing professional development, coaching, and workshops for current educators including Teacher Professional Education, Emerging Leader Development, and Experienced Leader & System Support programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Relay GSE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Relay GSE is an accredited nonprofit graduate school of education that prepares teachers and school leaders through Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree programs and state-approved alternative route teacher certification programs in nine states plus D.C. It also delivers ongoing professional development, coaching, and leadership fellowships to practicing educators and school systems through online coursework and in-person campus locations.
Product overview
Relay Graduate School of Education is an accredited nonprofit graduate school of education offering a comprehensive portfolio of educator preparation and professional development programs. The core offerings include graduate degree programs (Master of Arts in Teaching) with or without certification in subject areas such as Elementary Education, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, and Early Childhood Education. These degree programs are offered alongside certification pathway programs including Alternative Teacher Licensure Programs (Colorado, Delaware, Tennessee) and Traditional Teacher Licensure Programs. Professional education offerings include leadership development programs (National Principal Academy Fellowship, National Principal Supervisor's Academy, Leverage Leadership Institute, Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute), instructional coaching workshops, and specialized certifications. The institution operates in partnership with over 250 school systems across multiple states and serves approximately 4,000 students, teachers, and leaders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Graduate & Degree Programs (Master of Arts in Teaching)
- State-Approved Teacher Certification Programs (Alternative and Traditional Licensure)
Quantifiable outcome
- Student learning outcomes are 3-5x better (2-3 additional months' worth of learning) in schools partnering with Relay for educator preparation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Relay GSE
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Relay GSE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Relay GSE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, founding, national and local.
- Teaching LabcoreNational education nonprofits Teaching Lab and Relay GSE announced plans to join together as one organization pending regulatory approvals. Dr. Sarah Johnson, current CEO of Teaching Lab, will become the next president and CEO of Relay on Aug. 4, ultimately leading the combined organization. The integration aims to strengthen how both organizations invest in and support educators nationwide.
- Uncommon SchoolsfoundingOne of three founding charter school networks that created Relay over 20 years ago. Relay grew out of shared work of these organizations which have shaped 230 urban public schools serving 80,000+ students.
- KIPPfoundingOne of three founding charter school networks that created Relay over 20 years ago. Relay grew out of shared work of these organizations which have shaped 230 urban public schools serving 80,000+ students.
- Achievement FirstfoundingOne of three founding charter school networks that created Relay over 20 years ago. Relay grew out of shared work of these organizations which have shaped 230 urban public schools serving 80,000+ students.
- AmeriCorpsnationalRelay is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network.
- City YearnationalNational partner organization with impressive records of developing effective teachers and creating exemplary schools.
- Deans for ImpactnationalNational partner organization with impressive records of developing effective teachers and creating exemplary schools.
- Yes Prep Public SchoolslocalPublic charter school network partner of Relay GSE.
- LEARN Charter School NetworklocalPublic charter school network partner of Relay GSE.
- Teach for AmericanationalNational partner organization for teacher recruitment and professional development. Relay offers specific programs for TFA Pre-Certified teachers.
- Atlanta Public SchoolslocalPublic school district partner of Relay GSE.
- Alief ISDlocalPublic school district partner of Relay GSE in Texas.
- NYC DOElocalNew York City Department of Education, major public school district partner of Relay GSE.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Relay GSE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TNTP (The New Teacher Project): National nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supports teachers and leaders through teacher residency programs and professional development. Directly comparable to Relay as a teacher pipeline and PD provider serving urban school districts.
- Bank Street College of Education: Accredited graduate school of education in NYC offering master's degrees and certificates for teachers and leaders. Comparable in graduate-level educator preparation and teacher PD focus.
- National Louis University: Regional university with nationally recognized College of Education offering alternative route teacher certification and graduate degrees. Comparable in alternative certification and MAT programs.
- Teaching Lab: National education nonprofit providing professional learning for teachers in 50+ school systems; currently merging with Relay GSE. Closest comparable peer in mission, delivery model, and customer base.
- American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence: Online alternative route teacher certification provider offering state-approved preparation programs. Comparable as a competitor in alternative certification pathway market.
Emerging players
- Aspiring Mind / New Teacher Center: National nonprofit providing instructional coaching and teacher induction programs. Comparable as a professional development and educator support provider serving districts.
- Teach For America: National teacher pipeline organization working with Relay to develop and certify corps members. Comparable in mission around teacher pipeline, though not itself a graduate school.
- Urban Teachers: Four-year teacher residency program partnered with urban school districts to recruit and prepare educators. Comparable as an alternative certification and teacher prep provider.
Broad incumbents
- Teachers College, Columbia University: Premier graduate school of education offering advanced degrees, certifications, and professional development. Broader incumbent in teacher prep but overlaps on graduate education programs.
- New York University (NYU) Steinhardt School: Major university school of education offering MAT and doctoral degrees plus school leadership programs. Comparable as a traditional graduate school of education competitor in NYC market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Relay GSE social profiles
Digital presenceRelay GSE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Relay GSE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Relay GSE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Relay GSE 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 Relay GSE
What does Relay GSE do?
Relay GSE is an accredited nonprofit graduate school of education that prepares teachers and school leaders through Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree programs and state-approved alternative route teacher certification programs in nine states plus D.C. It also delivers ongoing professional development, coaching, and leadership fellowships to practicing educators and school systems through online coursework and in-person campus locations.
Is Relay GSE a public or private company?
Relay GSE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Relay GSE founded?
Relay GSE was founded in 2011. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Relay GSE based?
Relay GSE is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Relay GSE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Graduate Degree Programs are the primary driver. The others are teacher Certification Programs and professional Education Services.
Who are Relay GSE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TNTP (The New Teacher Project), Bank Street College of Education, National Louis University, Teaching Lab and American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. Emerging players are Aspiring Mind / New Teacher Center, Teach For America and Urban Teachers. Broad incumbents are Teachers College, Columbia University and New York University (NYU) Steinhardt School.
Does Relay GSE have an API?
No public API is recorded for Relay GSE.
What industry is Relay GSE in?
Relay GSE's product category is Teacher Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAABAK, College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways), with a secondary code of EDAJAGAD, RTI/MTSS Framework Implementation & Tiered Supports. Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.