The Crossing

What The Crossing does

The Crossing is a state-accredited, faith-based alternative education organization headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, operating as a non-profit under the legal entity The Crossing National, Inc. Founded in 2003 by Rob Staley, a former Concord High School principal, the organization serves students ages 14-20 (grades 9-12) who have struggled in traditional school environments, including dropouts, expelled students, truants, and those in credit recovery. It delivers a three-pillar program combining Indiana Core 40/General diploma academics, hands-on job training, and faith-based character education across 21 Indiana locations serving approximately 250 graduates per year.

The technology platform is a blended learning model with 50% computer-based curriculum and 50% offline project-based work, supported by a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio. The job-training component is operationally distinctive: seven satellite campuses are physically co-located inside real businesses (Gaylor Electric, Master Spas, Thor Motor Coach, Kem Krest, Habitat for Humanity, and others) where students work alongside employees and run student-led micro-businesses such as Spark Candles and Bark Bites Bakery. The Crossing also operates two Entrepreneurial Training Centers and a jail facility program, and reports that 50% of satellite-campus graduates are hired full-time by their satellite partner within two years.

The business model is hybrid and donor-dependent. Listed tuition is $8,000 per year, but 95% of students are sponsored by partnering public school corporations or receive scholarships through Indiana School Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which unlock a 50% state tax credit for donors. The Crossing has contracted partnerships with 30 Indiana public school corporations and reports 80-87% of graduates contributing to their communities post-graduation (enrolled in higher education, military, or working). Additional revenue comes from charitable donations, including a Dollar-A-Day ($365/year) sponsorship program, building funds, and an endowment with a 25% match from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. The organization is fully accredited by the Indiana Department of Education and operates as a single-entity, privately-held non-profit with no disclosed external investors, funding rounds, or parent company.

Name

The Crossing

Legal name

The Crossing National, Inc.

Website

https://crossingeducation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Crossing is a faith-based, Indiana-accredited alternative high school network serving students ages 14-20 who struggle in traditional schools, combining diploma-track academics, work-based learning inside partner businesses, and character education across 21 Indiana campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative High School Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Alternative, Continuation & Credit-Recovery Schools (EDAJAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Post-Secondary Transition Planning & Coordination (EDAKANAA)

Keywords

• Alternative high school education
• At-risk youth education
• Work-based learning programs
• Faith-based character education
• Career pathway training

Headquarters

HQ city

Elkhart

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition with Scholarship Support: Full tuition is $8,000/year but 95% of students receive scholarships through School/Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), resulting in little to no cost to families. Donations to SGOs qualify for 50% Indiana State Tax Credit.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: General fund donations, Dollar-A-Day sponsorship program ($365/year), building funds, graduation sponsorship, and endowment contributions support operations and student services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Crossing is a state-accredited, faith-based alternative high school serving Indiana students ages 14-20 (grades 9-12) who struggle in traditional schools. It delivers accredited academics, hands-on job training via student-run micro-businesses and partner-business satellite programs, and faith-based character education across 21 campuses. Students earn Indiana Core 40 or General Diplomas with tuition offset by scholarships for 95% of enrollees.

Product overview

The Crossing is a network of private Christian alternative schools across Indiana providing comprehensive educational programs for struggling students (ages 14-20, grades 9-12). The core offerings include three integrated programs: (1) Academics - accredited high school education with a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio and computer-based curriculum; (2) Job Training Program - hands-on work experience through student-led micro-businesses, work teams, and business partnerships; and (3) Faith-Based Character Education - daily Family-Time sessions and weekly God-Talk faith walk opportunities. The Work-Based Learning Programs allow students to split time between their home school and Crossing for career training, while Satellite Business Partnerships provide embedded job training opportunities at partner businesses. Students can earn Indiana Core 40 Diplomas or General Diplomas, with tuition covered for 95% of students through public school sponsorships or scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academics Program Indiana Department of Education-accredited high school academics for grades 9-12 delivered via blended learning (50% computer-based, 50% offline project-based), with a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio and self-paced mastery progression. Students can earn a Core 40 Diploma or General Diploma.
• Job Training Program Hands-on work-experience and soft-skills training program preparing students for careers through student-led micro-businesses, work teams, and individual internships with local business partners.
• Faith-Based Character Education Faith-based character-education program with daily 30-minute Family-Time sessions, weekly optional God-Talk faith walk sessions, and evening/weekend staff engagement with students, governed by a Statement of Faith.
• Student-Run Micro-Businesses Student-operated enterprises (e.g., Spark Candles, Bark Bites Bakery) that double as vocational training labs, giving students hands-on product/operations experience while earning credits.
• Work-Based Learning Programs Half-day programs where students split time between Crossing and their home high school, earning Math, English, Electives, Clubs, and Sports credits while doing career training at partner businesses such as Thor Motor Coach and Kem Krest.
• Satellite Business Partnership Programs Satellite campuses co-located inside partner businesses (e.g., Gaylor Electric, Master Spas) where students are deployed, trained, and upskilled alongside employees in dedicated classroom and shop space. 50% of satellite graduates are hired full-time by the host partner.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of graduates are contributing to their communities (enrolled in higher-ed/military and/or working)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gaylor ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNoblesville-Gaylor Electric Satellite campus services students directly inside the Gaylor Electric business. Students have dedicated classroom space and work alongside Gaylor Electric employees for hands-on job training. This is an integrated satellite partnership where students learn to run and maintain a business while earning credits.
• Master SpascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFort Wayne Master Spas Satellite campus is co-located inside the Master Spas building. Students run a micro business building special corner shelving directly for Master Spas, gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
• Thor Motor CoachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThor Motor Coach, the #1 motorhome brand in North America (produces 1 out of every 4 motorhomes sold), offers students hands-on learning experiences in their wiring harness department as part of the Elkhart County work-based learning program.
• Kem KrestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified Minority Owned Business (MBE) providing Total Program Management through Supply Chain, Aftersales, Chemical Packaging and Fulfillment Solutions. Offers work-based learning opportunities at Elkhart County campus.
• Habitat for Humanity LafayetteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork-based learning partner at Lafayette campus providing students with construction and community service opportunities.
• Carworks LafayetteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive work-based learning partner at Lafayette campus.
• Faith Church of Lafayette (Northend Community Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides the 114,000 sq. ft. Northend Community Center facility that houses the Lafayette Crossing School of Business & Entrepreneurship.
• Arconic FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting Lafayette campus programs.
• Harvest Word of Life MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the Fort Wayne main campus in their facility (second floor).
• Royal DevelopmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork team partner at Fort Wayne campus for construction/development experience.
• Sycamore Tree CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork team partner at Fort Wayne campus for arboriculture/landscaping experience.
• Obicai Restaurant GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork team partner at Fort Wayne campus providing hospitality industry experience.
• MADJAX Maker ForceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob training partner at Muncie campus providing maker space and fabrication experience.
• Muncie Community SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic school partner sending students to Muncie campus.
• Community Hospital (Anderson)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork team host partner at Anderson campus.
• Community Foundation of Elkhart CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 25% matching funds for endowment gifts up to $25,000 annually for cumulative gifts. One of Indiana's largest community foundations with over $418 million in assets. Partnership spanning over 15 years. Manages scholarship donations for campuses north of Kokomo with 50% tax credit.
• Institute for Quality Education (IQE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScholarship Granting Organization (SGO) processing 50% tax credit scholarship donations for campuses south of Kokomo (Anderson, Frankfort, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Noblesville/Gaylor, Muncie).
• Lutherwood Children's HomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the Indianapolis campus on their campus property.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KIPP Foundation (KIPP Schools): KIPP is a national network of public charter schools primarily serving educationally disadvantaged students with extended school days and college-prep focus. Comparable multi-campus model, college-and-career orientation, and at-risk student mission parallel The Crossing.
• Ombudsman Educational Services: Ombudsman operates alternative education programs focused on dropout recovery and credit retrieval, serving at-risk high school students. Highly comparable alternative-ed / credit-recovery focus for over-age, under-credited youth.
• IDEA Public Schools: IDEA Public Schools is a growing charter network with strong college outcomes for low-income students, combining rigorous academics with college/career advising. Comparable at-risk student base, multi-campus scaling, and college-and-career outcome reporting.
• National Heritage Academies: National Heritage Academies is a charter management organization operating tuition-free public charter schools across multiple states, including Indiana. Multi-campus K-12 operating model, school performance accountability, and at-risk student focus make it a directly comparable private alternative-school operator.
• Imagine Schools: Imagine Schools is a non-profit charter management organization operating K-12 campuses, including schools serving at-risk students. Comparable multi-campus charter-like operating model with academic-plus-character-education framing.
• Catapult Learning: Catapult Learning provides alternative and supplemental K-12 educational services (Title I, intervention, special education) to public schools, serving a similar at-risk student population through contracted academic services.
• Charter Schools USA: Charter Schools USA is a multi-state charter management organization running K-12 campuses with strong accountability metrics. Comparable multi-campus operating model and accountability/outcomes orientation.
• Stride (formerly K12 Inc.): Stride is the largest U.S. online K-12 education provider with blended learning programs serving alternative, credit-recovery, and at-risk students, overlapping The Crossing's blended curriculum model (50% online, 50% offline with mastery progression).
• Goodwill Excel Centers (Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana): Goodwill Excel Centers are state-accredited high schools for adults and at-risk youth that blend academics with career training across Indiana, serving a near-identical population (dropouts, struggling students) with employer-aligned job training. They are the closest functional comp to The Crossing's academic-plus-job-training model in the same geography.
• Connections Academy: Connections Academy, operated by Stride, is a leading tuition-free online public school for K-12 students, including those seeking alternative education pathways. Directly comparable in addressing credit recovery, alternative pathways, and non-traditional learners.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GreaterIndianapolisCrossing
• Xx.com/crossing_edu

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Crossing