Cambridge Public Schools

What Cambridge Public Schools does

Cambridge Public Schools is a public school district — a government state entity, not a private company — operated by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It serves approximately 7,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 across 17 schools, comprising 11 elementary schools (PK-5), four upper schools (grades 6-8), and one comprehensive high school (Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, or CRLS), with the addition of preschool, dual language immersion, and adult education programs. The district employs more than 1,700 staff including teachers, administrators, and support personnel, governed by a School Committee and led by Superintendent David Murphy and a full C-suite including a Chief Academic Officer, Chief Equity Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Accountability Officer, and Legal Counsel.

CPS delivers its educational product through a portfolio of specialized programs: dual language immersion in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese; career and technical education through the Rindge School of Technical Arts; the High School Extension Program as an alternative pathway; Early College and dual enrollment; Design Lab community-driven innovation programming; the Media Arts Studio; and Special Education services through the Office of Student Services. The technology stack is entirely vendor-supplied and includes Aspen for student information management, Finalsite for the district website, Panorama Education for stakeholder surveys, FastBridge and SchoolCity for assessments, and i-Ready for personalized literacy. Communication with families runs through ParentSquare, multilingual website translation (English, Spanish, Amharic, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese), and CEATV cable channels 6 and 26.

The business model is government funding: CPS receives federal, state (Massachusetts Chapter 70), and local (City of Cambridge property tax) appropriations, plus targeted federal grants such as Title I, Title III for Limited English Proficiency, and special education funding. All K-12 students receive free breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision. There is no tuition revenue and no commercial product. Enrollment is managed through a controlled choice lottery at the Student Registration Center. Recent strategic actions include the December 2024 closure of the Kennedy-Longfellow School (effective June 2025), ~$16.5 million in city-funded capital investments in 158 Spring Street and John A. Ahern Field, and a leadership transition to Superintendent David Murphy.

Name

Cambridge Public Schools

Legal name

Cambridge Public Schools

Website

https://cpsd.us

Company type

Public

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Cambridge Public Schools is a public K-12 district operated by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving approximately 7,000 students in grades Pre-K-12 across 17 schools with 1,700+ staff, funded by federal, state, and local government appropriations rather than tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Public education services
• K-12 schooling
• Early childhood programs
• Dual language immersion
• Special education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a public school district, Cambridge Public Schools is funded through federal, state, and local government appropriations. The district receives per-pupil funding from Massachusetts state aid, local property tax contributions from the City of Cambridge, and federal grants including Title I, Title III (Limited English Proficiency Support), and special education funding. The FY27 Adopted Budget outlines the district's annual spending plan. School meals are provided free to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) federal reimbursement program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cambridge Public Schools provides free public education to approximately 7,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 across 17 schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The district operates 11 elementary schools (PK-5), four upper schools (grades 6-8), and the comprehensive Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (grades 9-12), with specialized programs including dual language immersion in Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese, career and technical education, early college opportunities, and special education services.

Product overview

Cambridge Public Schools is a public school district serving approximately 7,000 students in grades Pre-K-12 across 17 schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The district operates a portfolio of educational programs including eleven elementary schools (PK-5), four upper schools (6-8), and a comprehensive high school (CRLS). The district offers specialized programs including Dual Language Immersion (Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese), Career Connected Learning, Design Lab, Media Arts Studio, Early College/Dual Enrollment, and Special Education Services. The district utilizes ParentSquare for family communication and operates under a teaching and learning framework focused on academic excellence and social justice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) Universal preschool program offered in partnership with the City of Cambridge, providing early childhood education to young learners.
• Special Start Preschool Program Preschool program for students with special needs, providing specialized early childhood education and support services.
• Home-Based Early Childhood Education Program Family play, literacy and school readiness program partnership with ParentChild+ National Program, serving children ages 18 months to 4 years through weekly home visits.
• Elementary Schools (PK-5) Eleven elementary schools serving preschool through grade 5: Amigos School, Baldwin School, Cambridgeport School, Fletcher Maynard Academy, Graham and Parks School, Haggerty School, King Open School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, Morse School, Peabody School, and Tobin Montessori School.
• Upper Schools (Grades 6-8) Four upper schools serving grades 6-8: Cambridge Street Upper School, Putnam Avenue Upper School, Rindge Avenue Upper Campus, and Darby Vassall Upper School.
• Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS) Comprehensive high school serving grades 9-12, including career and technical education through the Rindge School of Technical Arts and alternative options through the High School Extension Program.
• Rindge School of Technical Arts (RSTA) Career and technical education program within CRLS offering students pathway to technical careers and skills development.
• High School Extension Program (HSEP) Alternative high school option for students seeking alternative educational pathways to graduation.
• Dual Language Immersion Programs K-8 programs offering bilingual education in Spanish/English (Amigos School), Mandarin Chinese/English, and Portuguese/English.
• Design Lab Community-driven design program engaging students, educators, families, and community members in collaborative problem-solving and innovative solutions for educational challenges.
• Media Arts Studio (MAS) Media production program at CRLS offering courses in Digital Film, Media Journalism, and Music Production, with content broadcast on Cambridge cable channels 6 and 26.
• Career Connected Learning PK-12 program engaging students in developing personal interests and skills related to future career and educational planning through collaboration with schools, colleges, workforce development agencies, and community partners.
• Early College / Dual Enrollment Program allowing high school students to earn college credits through partnerships with local colleges and universities.
• Athletics Department Interscholastic and intramural athletics program at CRLS offering sports at various levels, operating under MIAA, FOCA, and NCAA affiliations.
• Special Education Services Comprehensive special education services including SCALE Program, Basic Academics Program, and Structured Academics Program for students with disabilities.
• Visual and Performing Arts Program Comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts curriculum delivered by over 80 staff through 12th grade, producing 140+ arts events annually attended by more than 25,000 guests.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving approximately 7,000 students in 17 schools with 1,700+ staff members
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Democratic Knowledge Project (DKP) at Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Harvard University's Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics resulting in development of 8th grade civics curriculum, comparative societies and religions units for grades 6-7, materials on Native sovereignty for grades 3-5, and 5th grade unit connecting Declaration of Independence principles with abolition and women's rights. DKP's curricula were cited as highlighted core materials by DESE in 2021. DKP also provides professional learning for 8th grade civics teachers.
• Discovering JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support civic education in grades K-5, providing curriculum resources and educational programming focused on law, justice, and civic engagement for elementary students.
• Facing History and OurselvesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing professional learning opportunities for teachers, focusing on historical inquiry, social-emotional learning, and civic responsibility through historical case studies.
• Primary SourceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing professional development resources for history and social science educators, with focus on historical and cultural content related to Massachusetts and New England.
• Upstander ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing professional learning for teachers focused on genocide awareness, human rights education, and bystander intervention curricula.
• Navigation GamesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambridge-based non-profit organization providing orienteering programs for K-5 grade students. Elementary students learn navigational skills using maps and compasses, promoting stamina, independence from technology, spatial reasoning, and cooperation skills.
• CitySproutsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting school gardens across elementary schools, integrating hands-on learning experiences in environmental science, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture into the curriculum.
• Panorama EducationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to administer surveys including school culture, math mindset, and civics mindset assessments. Panorama Education provides the platform for collecting and analyzing student and family feedback across the district.
• Find It CambridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing information about middle and high school opportunities, including career exploration, internships, and youth employment programs as part of Career Connected Learning initiative.
• Cambridge Community Television (CCTV)minorOthersSeparate entity mentioned as distinct from Media Arts Studio (MAS). While MAS focuses on Cambridge Public Schools and educational access, CCTV is a separate community media organization. Both operate cable access channels in Cambridge.
• Cambridge School VolunteerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization providing corporate and university partners supporting Cambridge public schools through volunteer programs, mentoring, and educational enrichment initiatives.
• City of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Cambridge provides significant financial support through capital improvement budgets (such as $10 million for 158 Spring Street building renovations and $6.5 million for John A. Ahern Field), shared facilities, weather coordination, and collaborative services including snow removal and safety resources.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boston Public Schools: Massachusetts' largest urban public school district (~50,000 students), serving a similarly diverse, multilingual population with comparable grade bands and a comparable mix of neighborhood schools, special programs, and government funding. Directly comparable in mission, scale challenges, and programming portfolio.
• Chelsea Public Schools: Urban MA K-12 district serving a heavily multilingual and high-need student population. Comparable in ELL scale, dual language focus, and reliance on Title I/III federal funding.
• Arlington Public Schools: Nearby MA K-12 public school district of comparable size and community-demographic profile. Direct peer along governance structure (committee/superintendent model), grade-band offerings, and funding model.
• Lexington Public Schools: Affluent suburban MA K-12 district comparable in per-pupil resourcing, breadth of academic programming, and community-funded extras. Used as a benchmark for Cambridge's resourcing levels.
• Newton Public Schools: Nearby well-resourced suburban MA K-12 district. Comparable in per-pupil funding, dual language offerings, and academic reputation; commonly cross-referenced with Cambridge on outcomes and programming.
• Medford Public Schools: Neighboring urban MA K-12 district with a comparable multilingual learner population and similar grade-band configuration. Direct peer across governance and program mix.
• Brookline Public Schools: Neighboring K-12 public school district in Brookline, MA. Comparable in demographic diversity, per-pupil resourcing, and academic outcomes; widely used as a benchmark for Cambridge given geographic proximity and similar socio-economic mix.
• Somerville Public Schools: Neighboring urban K-12 district serving a diverse, multilingual population similar to Cambridge's. Direct peer along city-level urban demographics, ELL populations, and grade-band structure.
• Watertown Public Schools: Small neighboring MA K-12 public district with comparable urban-suburban demographic mix. Comparable in size band and operating structure (central administration + neighborhood schools).
• Malden Public Schools: Diverse urban MA K-12 district with comparable multilingual learner population and similar district-level governance. Used alongside Cambridge by MA DESE as a comparable urban district for accountability reporting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cps.schools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-public-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/cambridgepublicschools
• Xx.com/cambridge_cpsd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 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 Cambridge Public Schools