What Charles Armstrong School does

Charles Armstrong School is an independent, nonprofit K-8 school located in Belmont, California, founded in 1968 to serve students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. The school operates a single unified program for approximately 51-100 employees and has empowered nearly 4,000 students over its 55+ year history, drawing enrollment from across the San Francisco Bay Area. Its core offering is a research-based, multi-sensory instructional methodology centered on Structured Literacy delivered through the Wilson Reading System, supplemented by differentiated Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies curricula, plus specialty programs in executive functioning, social-emotional learning, twice-exceptional (2e) learner support, and outdoor education.

The school's instructional model is anchored by an exclusive California designation as the only Accredited Wilson Training Partner school in the state, and by a long-running research partnership with the UCSF Dyslexia Center (Dyslexia Phenome Project) that translates cognitive and neurological research into classroom practice. Supporting programs include Armstrong Aftercare, Summer School, the Dyslexia Unbounded web series and podcast, the Experience Dyslexia simulation offered to outside schools, and a structured Next School Placement process beginning in 7th grade.

The business model is a recurring tuition-based subscription for enrolled families, supplemented by donations and fundraising channels (the Armstrong Annual Fund, the Armstrong Benefit, the Patrick Moore Art Studio Fund, legacy giving, and corporate matching gifts). Tuition is not publicly disclosed, financial aid is available, and the school is governed by a Board of Trustees as a 501(c)(3) organization with no parent company. Go-to-market is sales-led through traditional independent school admissions (campus tours, free reading screeners, family meetings) layered with community outreach (Experience Dyslexia simulations, Dyslexia Unbounded, parent education events). The school is currently executing Phase 1 of a multi-year Campus Plan, with construction of a new academic wing beginning May 26, 2026, targeted to open for the 2027-2028 school year.

Name

Charles Armstrong School

Legal name

Charles Armstrong School

Website

https://www.charlesarmstrong.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Charles Armstrong School is an independent, nonprofit K-8 school in Belmont, California, founded in 1968, that uses a research-based, multi-sensory Structured Literacy approach to educate students with dyslexia and related learning differences from across the Bay Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education K-8 School Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Multisensory Learning Programs & Curriculum for Dyslexia/LD (EDAKAJAL)

Keywords

• Dyslexia education services
• Special education school
• Structured literacy program
• Multi-sensory instruction
• Independent k-8 school

Headquarters

HQ city

Belmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Revenue generated from student tuition for the independent school serving students with dyslexia in grades 2-8.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The Armstrong Annual Fund, The Armstrong Benefit annual event, The Patrick Moore Art Studio Fund, Legacy Giving/bequests, and corporate matching gifts support specialized instruction, educators, and programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Charles Armstrong School operates an independent K-8 educational program exclusively for students with dyslexia and related learning differences, delivered through a research-based, multi-sensory methodology built on Structured Literacy and the Wilson Reading System. The integrated program includes core academics (Literacy, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies) plus specialty offerings such as executive functioning instruction, social-emotional learning, outdoor education, aftercare, summer school, and a strengths-based program for twice-exceptional learners.

Product overview

Charles Armstrong School operates as a single, unified educational program—an independent K-8 school for students with dyslexia and related learning differences. The school uses a research-based, multi-sensory methodology and offers a structured academic program comprising core subjects (Literacy, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies) alongside specialty programs (Outdoor Education, Executive Functioning, Social Emotional Learning). The school also provides extended care (Armstrong Aftercare, Summer School), college/career preparation (Next School Placement), and community programs (Experience Dyslexia simulation, Dyslexia Unbounded podcast series). Programs serve students from grades K-8 with approximately 4,000 alumni since 1968.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dyslexia Unbounded: A web series and podcast where Armstrong educators share expertise, advice, and stories to support and inform students with dyslexia and their families
• Experience Dyslexia
• CAPSO

Products and services

• K-8 Dyslexia Education Program An independent school program for students in grades K-8 with dyslexia and related learning differences, using research-based, multi-sensory methodology designed for dyslexic learners and delivered on the Belmont, California campus.
• Armstrong Aftercare
• Summer School
• Experience Dyslexia Program
• Developing Strengths: 2e Approach

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 students empowered since 1968
• +1 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UCSF Dyslexia CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Armstrong began its research partnership with the UCSF Dyslexia Center in 2013 to jointly advance the understanding of the science and best educational methods for teaching students with dyslexia. Armstrong is one of the Dyslexia Center's premier school research partners. Main collaboration is through the Dyslexia Phenome Project, implementing instructional trials using collected data. Substantial cohorts of Armstrong students have participated in cognitive assessments including neurological psychiatric evaluations. Sarah Fox, Director of Lower School and Research, leads Armstrong's translation of this research into teaching practices.
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHMH is a global leader in Pre K-12 educational content and services. Armstrong partners with HMH to improve reading intervention programs using Armstrong classroom data and feedback to benefit all students with dyslexia, beyond Armstrong classrooms.
• Wilson LanguagecoreTechnology or IntegrationWilson Reading System curricula are part of Armstrong's literacy program. Armstrong is the only Accredited Wilson Training Partner school in California. Cori Maiden, Wilson Credentialed Trainer, is the administrator for this partner relationship.
• Common Ground Speaker SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArmstrong is a member of the Common Ground Speaker Series which hosts distinguished speakers presenting on topics of general interest in education, parenting, and children's health.
• Common Sense MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArmstrong is a member of Common Sense Media which provides high-quality media recommendations for internet access for all learners, making media and technology safer, healthier, and more equitable for families.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Schenck School: Independent K-6 school in Atlanta, GA serving students with dyslexia and related learning differences using research-based, multisensory teaching. Direct same-segment, same-age-range peer.
• The Kildonan School: Co-ed boarding and day school in Amenia, NY serving grades K-12 with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Comparable independent school with multi-sensory, experiential methodology.
• Eagle Hill School: Private day school in Greenwich, MA serving grades K-9 with language-based learning disabilities including dyslexia using individualized, multisensory instruction. Closely comparable by population served and pedagogy.
• Jemicy School: Independent school in Owings Mills, MD educating students grades K-8 with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences using structured, multisensory, research-based instruction. Closely matched independent K-8 model.
• The Windward School: Independent day school with campuses in White Plains and Bronxville, NY serving students grades 1-9 with language-based learning disabilities including dyslexia using multisensory, structured literacy instruction. Highly comparable peer.
• Chartwell School: Independent K-8 school in Seaside, CA explicitly serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences using structured, multisensory methods. Most direct Bay Area/regional competitor.
• Landmark School: Private day and boarding school in Beverly, MA serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences grades 2-12. Closest national comparable in mission, pedagogy, and tuition-based independent school model.
• The Gow School: Private boarding and day school in Southborough, MA serving grades 6-12 with dyslexia and similar learning differences using research-based, multisensory instruction. Direct mission-aligned and methodology-aligned peer.
• Lab School of Washington: Independent K-12 school in Washington, DC for students with language-based learning differences including dyslexia, integrating arts and academics. Comparable independent school specializing in LD.
• Hillside School: Independent school for boys in Marlborough, MA serving grades 5-9 with language-based learning differences including dyslexia. Comparable mission and Orton-Gillingham-adjacent multisensory approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user69866174
• Facebookfacebook.com/CharlesArmstrongSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charles-armstrong-school
• Xx.com/armstrongcougar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Charles Armstrong School