McLean School

Name

McLean School

Legal name

McLean School

Website

https://mcleanschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Potomac

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition (K-12): Primary recurring revenue from full academic-year tuition billed in annual, semi-annual or 10-month plans. Tiered by grade band for 2026-2027: K-1 $49,000; Grades 2-4 $54,600; Grades 5-8 $61,150; Grades 9-12 $61,750. Delivered as a comprehensive college-preparatory program with embedded academic support.
2. Annual Fees: Per-student annual fees billed alongside tuition covering Field Trips, Books, Instructional Materials, Parents Association Dues and Yearbook. K-4: $915; Grades 5-8: $1,325; Grades 9-12: $1,325.
3. Transportation Fees: Flat $2,750 per student for Cluster Bus Stop service to/from MD/VA/DC, with late after-school bus routes (5:00 pm and 6:30 pm) to Grosvenor Metro, MacArthur Blvd DC, and McLean Presbyterian Church VA. Satellite Bus Stops near campus are free.
4. Financial Assistance & Tuition Reduction: Need-based tuition awards funded directly from school operating resources and donor contributions; administered through the Clarity financial assistance platform with independent admission and aid decisions.
5. Philanthropic Giving (TRUE BLUE Fund, Annual Report of Gifts, Signature Events): Charitable contributions from families, trustees and friends supporting financial assistance, programming and operations; surfaced through TRUE BLUE Fund, sponsorship and signature events, and an Annual Report of Gifts.
6. SummerEdge (Summer Program): Seasonal summer program operated under the SummerEdge brand (summeredge.org) providing additional tuition/fees revenue outside the regular academic year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

McLean School is an independent K-12 private school in Potomac, Maryland, serving approximately 480 students through three divisions — Lower School (K-Grade 4), Middle School (Grades 5-8), and Upper School (Grades 9-12). The school delivers a college-preparatory curriculum unified by its proprietary Abilities Model® pedagogical framework, which embeds differentiated instruction and multi-sensory reading approaches (Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading System®) into every classroom for both conventional learners and students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and academic anxiety.

Product overview

McLean School offers a single integrated K-12 private school experience in Potomac, Maryland, organized into three core educational divisions — Lower School (K-Grade 4), Middle School (Grades 5-8), and Upper School (Grades 9-12) — all unified under the school's signature Abilities Model® pedagogical framework. The offering is a platform-plus-modules architecture: the Abilities Model® serves as the unifying educational platform, with specialized modules including the Embedded Classroom Support program (covering dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and academic performance anxiety), College Counseling, the Mindfulness & Wellness Program, Athletics (12 varsity teams), Arts programs (Music, Theater, Visual Arts), AI Technology & Learning, SummerEdge summer program, Community Education, and complementary services like Complimentary Reading Screenings, Financial Assistance (powered by Clarity), and Transportation Services (27 bus stops across MD/VA/DC). All divisions work together to serve approximately 480 students with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, with 100% of faculty trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and 100% trained in mindfulness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Abilities Model®: McLean's proprietary educational philosophy focusing on student strengths, differentiated instruction, and embedded classroom support rather than labeling students by their challenges.
• SummerEdge
• TRUE BLUE Fund

Products and services

• Lower School (Kindergarten - Grade 4) K-Grade 4 foundational program delivered at the Falls Road Campus. Lower School teachers hold special education backgrounds and are fully trained in the Orton-Gillingham multisensory teaching approach, focusing on the foundational work of "learning how to learn" through differentiated instruction and the Abilities Model®. Tuition: $49,000 (K-1) and $54,600 (Grades 2-4) for 2026-2027.
• Middle School (Grades 5-8) Grades 5-8 program described as "A time for self-discovery and increased independence." Middle School teachers bring deep subject area expertise with specialized training in methods like Wilson Reading System® for specialized literacy support. Delivered at the Lochinver Lane Campus. Tuition: $61,150 for 2026-2027.
• Upper School (Grades 9-12) Grades 9-12 college-preparatory program where students "become resourceful, self-reliant, and college ready." Offers 18 Advanced Placement classes, dual-enrollment college classes, and embedded classroom support. Delivered at the Lochinver Lane Campus. Tuition: $61,750 for 2026-2027.
• Abilities Model® Pedagogical Framework McLean's signature, trademarked pedagogical framework that focuses on a child's strengths and builds intellectual curiosity, mastery, resilience, and self-esteem. Teaches the way students learn rather than defining them by what they can't do, serving both conventional learners and those with dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, and organizational challenges. Unifies all academic divisions.
• College Counseling & College Transition Program Personalized program helping each student discover and thrive in the right college environment. Nearly 100% of seniors are admitted to their top three college choices. Includes College Transition & Success Programs with ongoing coaching support through the first year of college. Recent acceptances include American University, Boston College, Berklee College of Music, Case Western Reserve, Emory, High Point, University of Maryland, Wake Forest, and Yale.
• Embedded Classroom Support Program School-wide support program for students with dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and academic performance anxiety. Provides differentiated instruction in smaller classes (7:1 ratio) without pulling students out, integrating support within the regular classroom at a 7:1 student-teacher ratio.
• Mindfulness & Wellness Program Comprehensive wellness initiative supporting mind, body, and character. 100% of faculty and staff are trained in mindfulness to reduce stress and increase focus. Integrates mindfulness practices across the curriculum to help students navigate self, friendship, stress management, and community.
• Athletics Program Athletics, Coaching & Mentoring program offering 12 varsity athletic teams. Emphasizes skills, strategy, sportsmanship, and championships. Game schedules managed via mcleanschoolathletics.com.
• Music Program School music program including instruction in orchestral instruments such as violin and other performance opportunities.
• Theater Program

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Clarity (Financial Assistance Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationClarity administers McLean's Financial Assistance Program. Families apply via app.clarityapp.com; the platform determines award levels through objective need-based analysis using IRS-sourced W2/1040 data. Decisions are made independently of admission by the School's Financial Assistance Committee.
• Blackbaud / myschoolapp.com (Application Portal)coreTechnology or IntegrationPowering McLean's password-protected online Application Portal at mcleanschool.myschoolapp.com, where families create accounts, submit applications, upload required documents, and self-schedule parent interviews and student visits.
• PeerPal (Parent Ambassador Platform)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosts McLean's "Connect With A McLean Parent" portal at mcleanschool.peerpal.app, enabling prospective families to have 1:1 conversations with current McLean parents as part of the admission funnel.
• BambooHR (Recruitment / ATS)coreTechnology or IntegrationPowers McLean's online employment application system at mcleanschool.bamboohr.com, where candidates complete applications and upload cover letters, résumés, statements of educational philosophy, and references for open faculty, staff, and coaching roles.
• Congressman John Lewis (Civil Rights Movement)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted multiple engagements with McLean School (NBC News covered his visit; recorded "Civil Rights in the Classroom" segment; met with Lower School students; held a stage conversation). Featured as Inspiring Speaker for DEIJB programming.
• Schuyler Bailar (first transgender NCAA Division I men's swimmer)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on NBC4 with McLean School and spoke on campus about gender inclusion and his Harvard competitive swimming experience as part of DEIJB programming.
• Malala Yousafzai (Nobel laureate)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerYoungest Nobel Prize laureate participated in dialogue with McLean School community as part of Inspiring Speakers programming for DEIJB.
• First Lady Michelle Obama (White House)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMcLean students visited the White House and engaged with First Lady Michelle Obama, cited as part of the school's Inspiring Speakers / DEIJB programming track record.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Lab School of Washington: Washington, D.C.-based private K-12 school specializing in students with learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges). Directly comparable to McLean in mission, target student, and embedded-support pedagogy, and competing in the same DMV market.
• The Summit School: Maryland-based independent school serving bright students with dyslexia and other learning differences through small classes and evidence-based instruction. Overlaps McLean on core mission (LD-focused private education with college-prep orientation) and regional geography.
• Jemicy School: Baltimore-area independent school exclusively serving bright students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences using Orton-Gillingham and similar approaches. Closest regional peer in pedagogy and target student to McLean's Embedded Classroom Support program.
• Winston Preparatory School: Network of private day schools in the Northeast serving students with learning differences, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. Comparable to McLean in proprietary individualized instructional model and college-prep orientation, though it operates in a different geography.
• The Cambridge School: Independent K-12 school in San Diego, California dedicated to students with language-based learning differences using research-based, multi-sensory approaches. Closely comparable to McLean in target student, instructional methodology (Orton-Gillingham-based), and full college-prep scope.
• The Gow School: New York-based boarding and day school for students grades K-12 with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. Comparable to McLean in mission, methodology, and college-prep orientation; differs primarily in boarding model and geography.

Broad incumbents

• Sidwell Friends School: Elite Washington, D.C. private K-12 school and the DMV's most prominent college-prep institution. Competes with McLean for college-bound DMV families and has expanded learning-difference support, putting increasing pressure on McLean's differentiated niche.
• Holton-Arms School: Premier Bethesda, Maryland all-girls college-prep day school serving grades 3-12. Competes directly with McLean for DMV families seeking premium college-preparatory education and is located within a few miles of McLean's campuses.
• Georgetown Day School: Large Washington, D.C. progressive independent school serving grades K-12 with a strong college-prep program and DEI focus. Comparable to McLean in market, tuition tier, and emphasis on individualized instruction, though broader in mission and larger in scale.
• Bullis School: Potomac, Maryland independent K-12 college-prep school located within the same DMV micro-market as McLean. Overlaps on student demographic, tuition tier, and college-prep rigor, with growing learning-support services competing with McLean's Embedded Classroom Support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/McLeanSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/McLeanSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/mclean-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcleanschoolofmd
• Xx.com/mcleanschool

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 McLean School