The Fay School

What The Fay School does

The Fay School is a private, non-sectarian, non-profit co-educational independent school incorporated in Texas and located on an 8.5-acre campus at 105 N. Post Oak Lane in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1991 by Marie Fay Evnochides around the historic 1938 Fay House designed by architect John Staub, the school serves children ages 3 through fifth grade across two divisions: Primary Division (ages 3-5) and Lower School Division (Kindergarten through Fifth Grade). For the 2025-26 school year, the school enrolls approximately 325 students supported by 70 employees, maintaining an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 18.

The school's core educational product is built on four signature programs: Experiential Education with Project-Based Learning integrated into Science and Social Studies; a Leadership Development Program anchored by the proprietary Project C.A.R.E.S. framework (Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control); an Outdoor Education curriculum leveraging Fay Forest, Fay Farm, and nature trails; and a 1:1 Technology environment starting in Kindergarten with a L.E.A.D. Lab makerspace for robotics and 3D printing. The school is accredited by ISAS and is a member of NAIS, ACA, and AEE. A Middle School Counseling program starting in Fourth Grade channels graduates into nine named elite Houston private middle schools.

The business model is direct-to-consumer tuition-based, with primary revenue from recurring annual tuition ranging from $28,125 to $36,423 depending on grade and payment plan, plus ancillary revenue from Stay at Fay aftercare, After-School Activities ($300-$600/semester), FAYcation Summer Camp, and Play at Fay mini-camps. Admissions follow a structured inquiry-to-application funnel with a $200 application fee, $1,500 new student fee, and $1,500 tuition deposit. Distribution is entirely single-campus, single-geography within the Houston metropolitan area, with no second campus, online offering, or external expansion signals.

Name

The Fay School

Legal name

The Fay School

Website

https://thefayschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Fay School is a private, non-profit independent school in Houston, Texas, serving approximately 325 students ages 3 through fifth grade on an 8.5-acre campus, with signature programs in Leadership Development (Project C.A.R.E.S.), Project-Based Learning, Outdoor Education, and 1:1 technology. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition ($28,125-$36,423) plus ancillary Extended Day and summer camp programs, distributed via a direct-to-consumer admissions funnel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for grades Primary I through Fifth Grade. Tuition ranges from $28,125-$35,890 depending on grade level and payment plan. Families can pay annually or monthly.
2. Stay at Fay Extended Day Program: Aftercare program allowing students to stay on campus after school until 6:00pm. Priced per semester based on grade level and pickup time, ranging from $85-$470 per semester per day per week.
3. After-School Activities: Enrichment classes offered through partnerships with faculty and local professionals. Cost varies from $300-$600 per semester depending on subject matter and number of sessions.
4. Play at Fay: One-day mini-camps for days when school is out of session. Offers half day, full day, and extended day options.
5. FAYcation Summer Camp: Summer camp program offering enriching opportunities aligned with the school's mission and values.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Fay School is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational school in Houston, TX offering education for children ages 3 through 5th grade. Its core offering is a tuition-based academic program centered on experiential project-based learning, a signature Leadership Development Program (Project C.A.R.E.S.), an Outdoor Education curriculum built around an 8.5-acre campus including Fay Forest and Fay Farm, and a 1:1 technology environment with a L.E.A.D. Lab makerspace.

Product overview

The Fay School is a single unified private school offering a comprehensive educational program for children ages 3 through fifth grade. The core offerings include Experiential Education with Project-Based Learning, a Technology Program with 1:1 devices and L.E.A.D. Lab makerspace, Leadership Development through the Project C.A.R.E.S. initiative, and Outdoor Education featuring the Fay Forest and Farm. The school is structured into Primary Division (ages 3-5) and Lower School Division (K-5). Extended Day Programs including Stay at Fay, After-School Activities (enrichment classes like fencing, robotics, and drama), and FAYcation Summer Camp provide supplementary childcare and enrichment. A Middle School Counseling program supports families through the transition to secondary schools. The school operates on an 8.5-acre campus with ISAS accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Division (Private Preschool, Ages 3-5) Joyful play-based learning program for children ages 3-5, including Primary I and Primary II classes focused on literacy, math skills, and social-emotional development, with Forest Days and outdoor exploration as core components.
• Lower School Division (Kindergarten - Fifth Grade) Elementary education program for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade focused on building academic skills through collaboration, problem-solving, and differentiated literacy instruction, with stewardship opportunities including chicken coop, Fay News, and various aide roles.
• Experiential Education and Project-Based Learning Student-centered teaching methodology in which students acquire deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges, integrated into Science and Social Studies with emphasis on leadership action and reflection.
• Leadership Development Program Signature program integrating five elements of leadership (Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control) through the Project C.A.R.E.S. initiative, with stewardship opportunities for Fourth and Fifth Graders across campus.
• Outdoor Education Curriculum Hands-on outdoor experiences including Fay Farm, Forest Days, Garden Days, and Spark Time, featuring the 3.5-acre Fay Forest with nature trails, Buffalo Bayou access, and the Havens Outdoor Education Center.
• Middle School Counseling Formal year-and-a-half counseling program starting in Fourth Grade that guides families through the application process to Houston's top private middle schools, including mock interviews, on-campus ISEE testing, and admissions office advocacy.
• Stay at Fay (Extended Day) Aftercare program allowing students to stay on campus after school until 6:00pm, including arts and crafts, games, books, music, and outdoor activities with both indoor and outdoor play options.
• After-School Activities Enrichment classes offered through partnerships with faculty and local teaching professionals including fencing, tennis, robotics, drama, ceramics, chess, gymnastics, and Tae Kwon Do, held once weekly at $300-$600 per semester.
• FAYcation Summer Camp Summer camp program offering enriching opportunities aligned with the school's mission and values, including various activities and programs for enrolled students during summer months.
• Play at Fay One-day themed mini-camps on days when school is out for in-service and select holidays, with half day, full day, and extended day options available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• World Leadership SchoolstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2021World Leadership School partners with K-12 schools to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders. Facilitated all-day Project Based Learning Workshop for Fay faculty led by Jessica Catoggio, Director of Professional Learning.
• The Simply Fresh KitchencoreOthersExclusive contract to provide fresh, nutritious, and well-balanced meals served daily for all students. Handles meal registration, ordering, and delivery to campus.
• Moonshot CompostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership for school's composting program. Fifth Grade students participate in composting initiatives. Partnership grew from project-based learning units exploring real-world problems. Moonshot provides diversion dashboard tracking food waste diverted from landfills.
• Jill Wood (Childhood Play Expert)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fay School partnered with Jill Wood, a childhood play expert, to enhance play and child development practices at the school.
• Lands' EndcoreOthersOfficial uniform provider. Families purchase uniforms through Lands' End website where Fay's school dress code items are available.
• Clarity Financial AidcoreOthersUsed to determine family level of financial need for FayTAP tuition assistance program. Provides mobile-friendly application process fully translated into Spanish with enhanced tax verification.
• A.G. Dewar, Inc.minorOthersProvides tuition refund plan option for families. TRI is optional for annual payers and required for monthly payment plan families.
• Glassell Junior School (Museum of Fine Arts, Houston)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt school for young people, teaching wing of Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Provides ceramics and Make Your Mark art classes as after-school activities.
• TGA Premier Youth TenniscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners with USTA to provide tennis program with five-level curriculum including games, drills, and physical fitness activities.
• Olympia Tae Kwon Do (Master Bruce)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides Tae Kwon Do classes with 8th degree Black Belt instructor with 30+ years experience teaching children.
• Brown's GymnasticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides gymnastics instruction with nearly 30 years experience focusing on making healthy, happy, confident kids.
• Mad SciencecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides hands-on science experiments and interactive demonstrations as after-school enrichment.
• Waelly World Soccer SchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth soccer program focusing on skill development and life skills including teamwork, self-control, sportsmanship, and confidence.
• Chess WizardscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier chess education company providing fun, informative, and challenging lessons teaching life concepts including gracious winning and accepting defeat with dignity.
• Rice LiteracystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Primary students' writing development through teacher dictation and dramatic interpretation, helping student stories come to life.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart: Houston Catholic girls' K-12 independent school in the same premium private-school segment. Competes for similar Houston families and represents a likely destination for Fay's female graduates.
• The Kinkaid School: Houston's premier K-12 independent school in Piney Point, serving affluent Houston families. Listed explicitly as a destination school for Fay graduates and competes for the same upper-income family pool with similar premium pricing model.
• Episcopal High School: Houston K-8 Episcopal day school with similar philosophy and tuition positioning. Direct competitor in the Houston private lower-school market targeting similar religious/progressive family demographics.
• The Awty International School: Houston PK-12 international private school with strong academic reputation. Comparable independent school model targeting affluent and internationally-minded Houston families; listed as Fay graduate destination.
• The Emery/Weiner School: Houston Jewish 6-12 private school with strong college-prep reputation. Receives Fay graduates at the middle-school entry point and competes for the same premier Houston family demographic.
• St. John's School: Elite Houston K-12 independent school with rigorous college-prep mission. Direct competitor for top-tier families and a documented destination school for Fay graduates, sharing the same Houston private-school buyer pool.
• River Oaks Baptist School: Houston PK-8 Baptist-affiliated independent school in the same geographic catchment area. Directly competes with Fay for families in the River Oaks/Upper Kirby Houston neighborhoods and is a documented Fay destination school.
• Presbyterian School: Houston PK-8 faith-based independent school sharing comparable tuition levels and educational philosophy. Direct competitor in the Houston lower-school market and confirmed destination school for Fay graduates.
• St. Francis Episcopal Day School: Houston PK-8 Episcopal day school with similar tuition bracket and outdoor/leadership emphasis. Strong direct competitor for the same demographic of Houston private elementary families and a confirmed destination school for Fay graduates.
• Annunciation Orthodox School: Houston K-8 faith-based independent school with comparable tuition and educational approach. Direct Houston peer competing for similar private elementary families and a documented destination for Fay graduates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/TheFaySchoolHouston
• Facebookfacebook.com/thefayschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-fay-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_fay_school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Fay School