Relay GSE

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.

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

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

• Teacher preparation
• Graduate education
• Educator certification
• Professional development
• Leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, founding, national and local.

• Teaching LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational 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 SchoolsfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne 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.
• KIPPfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne 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 FirstfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne 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.
• AmeriCorpsnationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelay is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network.
• City YearnationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization with impressive records of developing effective teachers and creating exemplary schools.
• Deans for ImpactnationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization with impressive records of developing effective teachers and creating exemplary schools.
• Yes Prep Public SchoolslocalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic charter school network partner of Relay GSE.
• LEARN Charter School NetworklocalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic charter school network partner of Relay GSE.
• Teach for AmericanationalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational partner organization for teacher recruitment and professional development. Relay offers specific programs for TFA Pre-Certified teachers.
• Atlanta Public SchoolslocalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic school district partner of Relay GSE.
• Alief ISDlocalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic school district partner of Relay GSE in Texas.
• NYC DOElocalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew York City Department of Education, major public school district partner of Relay GSE.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/relaygse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/relay-graduate-school-of-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/relaygse
• Xx.com/RelayGSE

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Relay GSE