The Cushman School

What The Cushman School does

The Cushman School is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade, headquartered in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1924 by Dr. Laura Cushman on the porch of her home with 12 students, it is Miami-Dade's oldest continuously operating private school and operates a two-campus footprint on Biscayne Boulevard (Main campus at 4770 Biscayne Boulevard; High School at 4700 Biscayne Boulevard) plus a dedicated Play to Learn Performing Arts and Athletics Center. The institution is structured across six educational divisions: Primary School (Pre-K-K), Elementary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), Upper School (Grades 9-12, launched in 2016), Laura Cushman Academy (specialized program for students with learning differences), and Cushman Virtual (online college-preparatory program for Grades 5-12).

Revenue is generated almost entirely through tuition and mandatory fees. The 2026-2027 published tuition schedule ranges from $38,870 per year for Pre-K/Kindergarten-5 to $50,076 per year for High School 9-12, with Laura Cushman Academy commanding premium pricing of $49,296-$57,196 and Cushman Virtual priced at $42,300. One-time registration, building/maintenance, and new student fees ($1,000-$2,350), summer camp unit pricing ($310-$500/week), and Summer Academic credit recovery courses ($700-$3,800) supplement the recurring tuition base. Enrollment is approximately 850+ students from 50+ countries, with a published 1:8 teacher-student ratio, average class size of 8, and 31 Advanced Placement courses available at the high school level. The school holds four accreditations (National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, SAIS, FCIS, Cognia), is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Sara Colombo with Dr. Arvi Balseiro (in role since 2012) serving as the third Head of School in its 100-year history, and reported 100% college acceptance and $7 million in merit scholarships for the Class of 2026. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer via the Veracross admissions portal, Fall Open Houses, campus tours, and family consultations, with no resellers or third-party distribution channels.

Name

The Cushman School

Legal name

The Cushman School

Website

https://cushmanschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Cushman School is Miami-Dade's oldest continuously operating private co-educational college-preparatory day school, founded in 1924, serving approximately 850+ Pre-K through 12 students from 50+ countries with a 1:8 teacher-student ratio across six divisions and three wholly-owned programs (Laura Cushman Academy, Cushman Virtual, summer camps) at tuition of $38,870-$57,196 annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts-Focused Private K–12 Schools (EDAJABAN)

Keywords

• Private K-12 education
• College preparatory school
• Special needs education
• Online high school
• Summer academic programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Regular Program: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for grades Pre-K through 12. Tuition varies by grade level, with higher fees for Middle and Upper School.
2. Laura Cushman Academy Tuition: Premium tuition for specialized program serving students with learning differences who benefit from small class settings with targeted instruction.
3. Cushman Virtual Tuition: Online education program for grades 5-12 with flexible, college-preparatory curriculum delivered globally.
4. Summer Programs: Revenue from CAD Sports Camp, Cougar Training Camp, Summer Fun Camp, and Summer Academics courses including credit recovery and enrichment.
5. Registration and Fees: Registration fees, building and maintenance fees, and new student fees charged upon enrollment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cushman School is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution offering Pre-K through 12th grade education across six divisions: Primary School (Pre-K-Kindergarten), Elementary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), Upper School (Grades 9-12), Laura Cushman Academy (specialized support for students with learning differences), and Cushman Virtual (online program for grades 5-12). The portfolio also includes athletics, performing arts, visual arts, an Innovation Center makerspace, after-school and global programs, plus seasonal summer camps, all unified by a character development philosophy built on Industry, Courtesy, Responsibility, and Scholarship.

Product overview

The Cushman School is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution offering Pre-K through 12th grade education across six school divisions: Primary School (Pre-K-Kindergarten), Elementary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), Upper School (Grades 9-12), Laura Cushman Academy (specialized learning support), and Cushman Virtual (online program). The school also provides extensive extracurricular offerings including athletics, performing arts, visual arts, an Innovation Center makerspace, after-school programs, global programs, and seasonal summer camps (CAD Sports Camp, Cougar Training Camp, Summer Fun Camp, and Summer Academics). The portfolio is unified by the school's founding philosophy emphasizing character development through Industry, Courtesy, Responsibility, and Scholarship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary School Pre-kindergarten through kindergarten program focused on developing happy, confident, and creative thinkers through meaningful play, developmentally appropriate multi-sensory learning experiences, and character development using the Reggio Emilia approach.
• Elementary School Grades 1-5 program emphasizing character development, academic excellence, and enrichment activities including daily physical education, performing arts, visual arts, and technology integration.
• Middle School Grades 6-8 program offering challenging academics, diverse electives (Film & Broadcast, Visual Arts, Music Production, Coding, Theatre, Photography), after-school clubs, service opportunities, and overnight field trips including Costa Rica immersion.
• Upper School (Cushman High School) Grades 9-12 college-preparatory program with small class sizes, personalized academics, Society & Me (SAM) Challenge Seminar, Design Art and Technology (DAT) curriculum, computer science, legal studies, college counseling, and 30+ AP courses.
• Laura Cushman Academy Specialized division within The Cushman School offering small class sizes and personalized support for students who learn differently, providing targeted instruction and accommodations for students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
• Cushman Virtual Online college-preparatory education for grades 5-12 offering flexible scheduling, daily live instruction via Zoom, NCAA-approved coursework, customized course options, and globally accessible learning.
• Cushman Athletic Development (CAD) Sports Camp Summer sports camp for Pre-K4 through 5th grade offering skill development in soccer, basketball, volleyball, flag football, tennis, and dance in the Play to Learn performing arts and athletic center.
• Cougar Training Camp Summer training program for grades 6-12 offering intensive sports training for basketball and volleyball, preparing athletes for the 2026-2027 sports seasons.
• Summer Fun Camp Summer day camp for ages 3-9 featuring STEAM activities, arts and crafts, music, theater, sports, water activities, and supervised care from 8am-5pm.
• Summer Academics Virtual credit courses and on-campus enrichment programs for grades 6-12 including Algebra Bootcamp, Geometry Bootcamp, and reading/writing workshops for academic support and acceleration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate for Class of 2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)coreOthersInstitutional accreditation and membership organization for independent schools in Florida. Cushman holds active membership and Dr. Balseiro serves on the FCIS board and leads accreditation teams throughout Florida.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)coreOthersNational membership organization for independent schools. Cushman holds active membership.
• Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)coreOthersRegional accreditation organization for independent schools. Cushman holds active accreditation.
• CogniaOthersGlobal nonprofit education improvement organization providing accreditation. Cushman holds active accreditation.
• Step Up for StudentsminorOthersFlorida nonprofit managing the Tax Credit Scholarship (FES-EO and FTC) and FES-UA Scholarship (Gardiner Scholarship). Cushman is a participating provider for these scholarship programs.
• Barry UniversityminorOthersPartner venue for Spring Play performances on professional stage.
• Fairchild Tropical GardensminorOthersField trip destination for Kindergarteners for educational experiences.
• Circle F Dude RanchminorOthers6th grade overnight field trip destination for team building and outdoor education in Lake Wales, FL.
• Marine Lab, Key LargominorOthers5th grade overnight field trip for marine biology education, snorkeling reefs, and exploring mangroves.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ransom Everglades School: Miami-based private college-prep co-ed K-12 day school serving similar affluent Miami families. Directly comparable in geography, mission, target demographic, and tuition tier to The Cushman School.
• Miami Country Day School: Direct Miami competitor operating a co-ed college-preparatory K-12 day school with similar tuition range and academic positioning. Overlaps directly in target families and program structure.
• Palmer Trinity School: Independent co-ed college-prep day school in Miami serving grades 6–12 with boarding option. Comparable academic profile, target segment, and South Florida geographic catchment.
• Pine Crest School: Fort Lauderdale-based private co-ed college-prep K-12 day school with similar tuition, Blue Ribbon recognition, and emphasis on personalized academics—the closest South Florida direct competitor to Cushman.
• Saint Andrew's School: Boca Raton-based independent co-ed college-prep K-12 school with day and boarding programs. Comparable academic rigor, premium pricing, and Florida private school positioning.
• The Benjamin School: North Palm Beach FL independent co-ed college-prep K-12 day school. Comparable academic reputation, tuition tier, and Florida private school business model.
• The Bolles School: Jacksonville FL private co-ed college-prep day and boarding school (K-12). Strong athletic and academic profile comparable to Cushman's premium positioning, and one of Florida's flagship independent schools.
• Berkeley Preparatory School: Tampa-based independent co-ed college-prep K-12 day school. Comparable tuition range, academic reputation, and Florida private school profile in a non-competing geography.
• American Heritage School: Plantation FL private college-prep K-12 day school. Comparable in scale, premium tuition positioning, and emphasis on STEM—relevant peer in the South Florida market.

Regional players

• Saint Stephen's Episcopal Day School: Bradenton FL private K-12 day school with similar college-prep focus and premium tuition. Comparable academic mission and Florida independent school profile, though in a different sub-geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cushmanschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 The Cushman School