Community Learning

What Community Learning does

Community Learning is a private, for-profit educational company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York. The company designs, sells, and distributes hands-on STEM learning kits and curriculum for K-12 schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and home-learning families. Its core proprietary product line is a grade-banded mystery-based forensic science curriculum — Rogue Rodent Mystery (K-1), Missing Money Mystery (2-3), Cookie Jar Mystery (4-5), and Science Fair Mystery (6-7) — paired with screenwriting curricula for grades 6-8 and 10-12, all aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Kits bundle physical supplies, instructor guides, student materials, and access to a Customer Portal (portal.commlearning.com) that delivers video tutorials, lesson plans, and handouts via per-kit QR codes. The catalog is augmented with branded resale SKUs from Spy Labs, Teach Tech, Kids First, MakeBlock, Thames & Kosmos, NewPath Learning, Kemtec, Innovating Science, and SmartLab.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market: direct e-commerce at commlearning.com with credit card, PayPal, and purchase order support; inside sales via phone, fax, and email; and channel partnerships with educational distributors including STEMFinity, Carolina Biological, eNASCO, Stem-Supplies, PCS Edventures, and Wards Science. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware kit sales (prices ranging from $7.95 to $949), with complementary streams in professional services (on-site training, train-the-trainer, webinars), bundled 1-Year Class License Subscriptions to NewPath's Online Learning System, and transaction-based distribution partner sales. Shipping is free within the continental US; Hawaii and Alaska are excluded. The company has 11-50 employees, no disclosed institutional funding, and no public listings. Recent moves include the launch of a downloadable Science Fair Mystery SKU, the rollout of the Customer Portal, and a 2026 product roadmap including Spy Labs Night Vision Goggles (May 15, 2026) and Fingerprinting Kit (March 20, 2026).

Name

Community Learning

Legal name

Community Learning

Website

https://commlearning.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Learning is a Schenectady, NY-based educational company that designs, sells, and distributes hands-on STEM and forensic science curriculum kits for K-12 schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and home learners via direct e-commerce, inside sales, and channel distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Educational Kits and Curriculum

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM Teacher Tools, Curriculum & Lesson Planning Platforms (EDAFANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Core Digital Curriculum & Courseware (Full Programs & Units) (EDAFACAA), Educational & Hobby Robotics Kits (Consumer) (CRACARAG), DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN), Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN)

Keywords

• Hands-on STEM kits
• Forensic science curriculum
• K-12 STEM education
• Mystery-based learning
• Educational science kits

Headquarters

HQ city

Schenectady

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Physical STEM Learning Kits: One-time purchase of hands-on educational kits containing instructor guides, student materials, supplies, and components. Kits are reusable for repeated use across multiple class sessions.
2. Training Services: Staff training services including online webinar sessions, on-site training with facilitators, and train-the-trainer programs. Pricing determined by location and number of topics.
3. Online Learning Subscriptions: 1-Year Class License Subscription to NewPath's Online Learning System included with curriculum module purchases.
4. Distribution Partner Sales: Sales through distribution partners including STEMFinity, Carolina Biological, eNASCO, and others who resell products to educational institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Community Learning designs, packages, and sells hands-on STEM learning kits organized around proprietary mystery-based and forensic-science curricula for K-12 classrooms, after-school programs, and summer camps. Each kit includes an Instructor's Guide, student materials, all required physical supplies, and access to digital resources through a QR-coded Customer Portal. The company also distributes third-party branded STEM kits (Spy Labs, Teach Tech, MakeBlock, Thames & Kosmos, Kids First, NewPath Learning, Kemtec, Innovating Science, SmartLab), sells NGSS-aligned curriculum modules with online subscriptions, and offers training services (online webinar, on-site, train-the-trainer).

Product overview

Community Learning is an educational hands-on learning company specializing in STEM and forensic science curriculum for K-12 schools, summer camps, and home learning. Their core product portfolio consists of Mystery Kits (Rogue Rodent Mystery K-1, Missing Money Mystery 2-3, Cookie Jar Mystery 4-5, Science Fair Mystery 6-7, Screenwriting 6-8 and 10-12) which are comprehensive course kits with Instructor Guides, student materials, supplies, and digital resources accessed through their Customer Portal. They also distribute products from multiple branded partners including Spy Labs (detective and spy investigation kits), Teach Tech (solar and hydraulic robots), Kids First (coding and robotics), MakeBlock (programmable robots), Thames & Kosmos (STEM experiment kits), NewPath Learning (curriculum modules for math and science), Kemtec (forensics lab kits), and Innovating Science. Their offering spans across topics including Science, Robotics, Coding, Electronics, Renewable Energy, Math, Engineering, Art and Design, Board Games, Drones, Media and Movie Making, and Microscopes. Products are available for purchase directly through their website or through distribution partners including STEMfinity, Carolina Biological, eNASCO, and wards-science.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Learning: Primary brand offering hands-on STEM educational kits and learning products.

Products and services

• Rogue Rodent Mystery K-1 Hands-on forensic-science mystery kit for grades K-1 in which students solve a crime scene investigation involving a rogue rodent through age-appropriate scientific activities. Includes Instructor's Guide, student materials, supplies, and access to digital resources via the Customer Portal. Priced as an individual kit on the commlearning.com storefront.
• Missing Money Mystery 2-3 Introduction to forensic-science mystery kit for grades 2-3 where students investigate missing money through hands-on forensic-science experiments. Includes Instructor's Guide, student materials, supplies, and digital portal access. Available as a standard kit and as a $949 Deluxe Summer Camp Kit variant.
• Cookie Jar Mystery 4-5 Forensic-science study kit for grades 4-5 in which students solve a mystery involving a cookie jar through forensic investigation techniques. Includes complete Instructor's Guide, student materials, supplies, and access to digital resources. Resold via STEMfinity and other partners.
• Science Fair Mystery 6-7 Forensic-science mystery kit for upper elementary and middle schoolers in grades 6-7 with NGSS-aligned learning objectives and mystery-based scenarios. Includes all physical supplies, Instructor Guide, student materials, and digital resources accessed via QR-coded Customer Portal.
• Screenwriting 6-8 Creative screenwriting curriculum kit for middle-school students in grades 6-8 that teaches screenwriting skills aligned with educational standards. Designed for after-school enrichment and classroom use.
• Screenwriting 10-12 Comprehensive screenwriting curriculum kit for high-school students in grades 10-12 teaching advanced screenwriting techniques aligned with educational standards.
• Science Fair Mystery Downloads Downloadable bundle of three lessons from the Science Fair Mystery including step-by-step lessons, student worksheets, and parent/teacher answer keys with clear explanations written for non-scientists. NGSS-aligned learning objectives. Downloadable version does not include physical supplies; required materials are listed for independent sourcing.
• Customer Portal Online resource portal where customers access unlocked kit content including teacher resources, video tutorials, standards-aligned handouts, and lesson plans. Access is granted by scanning a QR code and entering a unique customer portal code found on a sticker inside the Instructor's Guide.
• NewPath Learning Math Curriculum Modules Standards-based math curriculum modules for grades 1-2 including Flip Charts, Visual Learning Guides, and Curriculum Mastery Games, priced at $579 per module. Bundled with a 1-Year Class License Subscription to NewPath's Online Learning System.
• NewPath Learning Science Curriculum Modules Comprehensive science curriculum modules for grades 6-8 with materials for 36 students including Flip Charts, Visual Learning Guides, Interactive Whiteboard Software, and Online Learning System. Priced at $879 per module with bundled 1-Year Class License subscription.
• Spy Labs Master Detective Toolkit Comprehensive detective kit with 25 hands-on experiments and 33 unique pieces covering fingerprinting, evidence collection, and code deciphering activities for the Spy Labs product line.
• Spy Labs Forensic Investigation Kit Complete crime scene investigation kit with 12 hands-on experiments and 35 unique pieces covering fingerprint analysis, UV evidence reveal, and powder analysis under the Spy Labs brand.
• Teach Tech HydroBot Arm Kit Battery-free hydraulic robotic arm with 6-axis control, 230+ parts, and water-pressure operation demonstrating fluid mechanics and engineering principles from the Teach Tech brand.
• Teach Tech SolarBot.14 Robot Kit 14-in-1 solar-powered robot kit with 250 unique parts that transforms between different land and water robot configurations, demonstrating renewable energy principles.
• Kids First Coding & Robotics STEM Kit Screen-free coding and robotics kit for grades K-2 featuring Sammy the robot that reads physical code cards. Includes 30 lessons and 417 pieces, designed for early-elementary STEM instruction.
• MakeBlock mBot Ranger Robot Kit 3-in-1 programmable robotics kit with about 100 parts for building, coding, and playing, compatible with Scratch programming, distributed under the MakeBlock brand.
• Kemtec Forensics Lab: Fingerprint Analysis Forensic fingerprint analysis kit for grades 6-8 teaching six standard fingerprinting techniques including dusting, lifting, Ninhydrin method, and cyanoacrylate fuming.
• Innovating Science Forensic Investigator's Complete Summer Camp Kit Comprehensive forensic-science summer camp kit covering hair analysis, fingerprint analysis, soil and mineral analysis, drug/poison analysis, and document analysis for grades 7-10.
• SolarBots: Cosmic Explorers Five solar-powered robots (Helio and four interchangeable vehicles) that walk, crawl, roll, and orbit using solar energy. Includes 123 pieces and a 36-page manual.
• Thames & Kosmos Bionic Robotic Arm STEM Kit Cable-driven robotic arm using 297 precision components with 360-degree horizontal and 180-degree vertical reach. 2025 TOY OF THE YEAR FINALIST.
• Space Farm Mini Hydroponics Kit Hydroponics kit for grades 4-6 exploring soil-less plant growth using nutrient solutions, simulating space-farming techniques.
• Training and Support Services Staff training services including online training via webinar, on-site training with hands-on demonstrations, and train-the-trainer programs for educators. Pricing determined by location and number of topics; on-site training is 6 hours for flexible group size, train-the-trainer is 4 hours for up to 10 participants.
• Customer Portal Set-Up Service Step-by-step onboarding guide and support service for accessing the Customer Portal, including QR code scanning, account creation, and unlocking kit resources for new and existing customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students engaged in hands-on forensic science learning aligned to standards
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• STEMFinityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner reselling Community Learning products including Cookie Jar Mystery kits to educational customers
• Carolina BiologicalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor educational supplier distributing Community Learning forensic science kits to schools and programs
• eNASCOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational products distributor reselling Community Learning curriculum kits including summer camp packages
• Wards ScienceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScience education supplier distributing Community Learning mystery kit products to science classrooms
• PCS EdventuresminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational products company with established distribution channels for STEM curriculum kits

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pitsco Education: Pitsco Education sells K-12 STEM curriculum kits, hands-on learning materials, and teacher resources directly to schools and districts, closely mirroring Community Learning's curriculum-plus-kit model and K-12 customer base.
• STEMfinity: STEMfinity is a K-12 STEM products retailer and one of Community Learning's distribution partners; it carries overlapping STEM and robotics kit lines and sells to the same educator buyers.
• Carolina Biological Supply Company: Carolina Biological is a major educational supplier distributing science kits, including forensic science kits, to schools and is a Community Learning channel partner, making it both a distribution ally and a direct competitor.
• Ward's Science: Ward's Science supplies science education kits and lab materials to K-12 classrooms and is listed as a Community Learning distribution partner, serving overlapping school customers with forensic and general science products.
• eNASCO: eNASCO distributes educational kits and supplies to schools and programs; it resells Community Learning products while also carrying competing STEM and science kit lines for the same buyer base.
• Home Science Tools: Home Science Tools sells hands-on science kits and curriculum to homeschool families and schools, competing with Community Learning in the home learning and classroom science kit segments.

Broad incumbents

• Thames & Kosmos: Thames & Kosmos is a global publisher of STEM science and robotics kits whose products Community Learning resells; as a much larger incumbent it sets the catalog standard for what schools expect from branded STEM kits.
• LEGO Education: LEGO Education offers K-12 STEM, robotics, and maker solutions with a global brand and deep school district penetration, representing a higher-end incumbent that competes for the same curriculum and after-school program budgets.

Emerging players

• PCS Edventures: PCS Edventures is a smaller STEM curriculum and kit provider targeting schools and after-school programs; it overlaps with Community Learning's offerings and is also a distribution partner, putting the two in cooperative and competitive tension.
• SmartLab Toys: SmartLab Toys produces STEAM-focused activity kits that Community Learning resells, and competes in the same educational toy and hands-on learning category targeting the same elementary-aged buyer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CommLearningdotcom
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommLearning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-learning-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Community Learning