What Community School of Davidson does

Community School of Davidson (CSD) is a North Carolina public charter school serving approximately 1,500-2,500 K-12 students across three campuses: a Lower School (K-7) at 565 Griffith Street in Davidson, an Upper School (8-12) at 404 Armour Street in Davidson, and the RIPPLE hybrid K-5 program at 1328 Beatties Ford Road in Huntersville. The school operates under a charter from the NC State Board of Education and is structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CSD implements The Basic School educational framework developed by Dr. Ernest L. Boyer, organizing its curriculum around eight integrative 'Core Commonalities' — The Life Cycle, The Use of Symbols, Membership in Groups, A Sense of Time and Space, Response to the Aesthetic, Connections to Nature, Producing and Consuming, and Living with a Purpose. Core products include the traditional K-12 program, the RIPPLE hybrid K-5 model (2 half-day in-person sessions weekly with asynchronous Seesaw-based at-home learning), an Exceptional Children Program, an After School Care subscription service ($155-$330/month tiered), and a Hot Lunch partnership with Mama's Pizza Express via HotLunch.com.

The school's technology stack is composed of standard K-12 educational platforms: Google Workspace for Education and Chromebooks as core productivity and 1:1 device layers (grades 8-12), Schoology as the LMS for grades 6-12, Seesaw for the RIPPLE K-5 program, Infinite Campus as the parent portal/SIS, Lotterease for lottery enrollment, DragonFly for athletics registration, ParentSquare for school-wide communications, and CIPA-compliant web filtering. There is no proprietary technology product; the differentiated intellectual property is the curriculum framework and the 'Coaching the Total Kid' athletics philosophy.

Revenue derives from four streams: per-pupil state funding from the NC Department of Public Instruction (primary), tax-deductible donations and fundraising (annual campaign, Giving Tuesday via Bloomerang), After School Care subscription fees, and Hot Lunch pass-throughs. Enrollment is tuition-free and managed through a lottery (Lotterease) with priority for siblings of enrolled students and staff children; only NC residents are eligible. CSD reports ~335 staff across all campuses, a ~1:15 teacher/student ratio, consistent B/A grades on NC School Report Cards from 2015-2025, and the 2025-2026 NCHSAA 2A Wells Fargo Cup Championship.

Name

Community School of Davidson

Legal name

Community School of Davidson

Website

https://csdspartans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Community School of Davidson is a North Carolina public charter school serving K-12 students across three campuses in Davidson and Huntersville via The Basic School framework, including a K-5 RIPPLE hybrid program and fee-based after-school care.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

Keywords

• Public charter school
• K-12 education
• Hybrid learning programs
• College preparatory education
• Elementary secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Davidson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a North Carolina public charter school, the primary revenue source is per-pupil state funding allocated by the NC Department of Public Instruction, Division of Charter Schools. Charter schools receive a portion of per-pupil funding compared to traditional public schools.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The school operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and conducts annual fundraising campaigns, Giving Tuesday campaigns, and accepts tax-deductible donations. Fundraising bridges the gap between state funding and actual cost of providing quality education, supporting technology, extracurricular programs, facilities, and professional development.
3. After School Care Program: Fee-based after school care program with tiered monthly pricing based on days per week attended. Options range from $155-$330/month for first child. Proves additional revenue while providing extended child care services to families.
4. Hot Lunch Program: Delivered hot lunch program through partnership with a local restaurant (Mama's Pizza Express), administered via HotLunch.com software. Families pay for meals ordered through the platform. CSD also offers a Free & Reduced Lunch Program for qualifying families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Community School of Davidson is a tuition-free North Carolina public charter school delivering K-12 education across three campuses. It offers a traditional Lower School (grades K-7), a college-preparatory Upper School (grades 8-12), the RIPPLE hybrid/remote learning program, and an Exceptional Children special education track, with supplemental paid services including After School Care and a Hot Lunch program.

Product overview

Community School of Davidson operates as a North Carolina Public Charter School offering a traditional K-12 in-person educational program at two campuses (Lower School K-7 and Upper School 8-12), plus the RIPPLE hybrid K-5 remote/in-person learning program. The school follows The Basic School framework developed by Dr. Ernest L. Boyer, emphasizing integrated curriculum around eight Core Commonalities, holistic child development, and strong school-home partnerships. Programs include academic instruction, athletics, arts, exceptional children services, after school care, and hot lunch services. Technology platforms include Schoology for grades 6-12 and Seesaw for RIPPLE students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RIPPLE: A K-5 remote and in-person hybrid learning program combining 2 half-day in-person sessions per week with asynchronous activities at home.

Products and services

• Lower School Program Tuition-free K-7 academic program offered at Community School of Davidson's Lower School campuses, following the Basic School educational philosophy with an integrated curriculum, arts, and character education. Targeted at families with elementary and middle-grade students in the Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, and Mooresville area.
• Upper School Program Tuition-free college-preparatory academic program for grades 8-12 offered at Community School of Davidson's Upper School campus. Emphasizes rigorous academics, character education, and small class sizes. Designed for families seeking college-readiness outcomes in the greater Davidson area.
• RIPPLE Hybrid/Remote Learning Program Hybrid and remote learning program offered by Community School of Davidson that preserves the Basic School framework while providing schedule flexibility for K-12 students. Targeted at families seeking a remote or hybrid instructional model.
• Exceptional Children Program Special education services and accommodations for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or learning differences, integrated within the charter school's K-12 academic program. Targeted at families of students needing specialized instruction.
• After School Care Program Fee-based after-school care service for enrolled students, providing supervised activities beyond the academic school day. Targeted at working families needing extended-day care for their K-12 students.
• Hot Lunch Program Optional pay-per-meal hot lunch service for enrolled students, ordered through HotLunch.com. A Free and Reduced Lunch Program is available for eligible families. Targeted at families seeking convenient meal options for their K-12 students.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCHSAA 2A Wells Fargo Cup Champions (2025-2026)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration21 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lifeline CharlotteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService learning partner organization for CSD students to engage in community service activities.
• Rescue RanchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService learning partner providing animal rescue education and volunteer opportunities for CSD students.
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Adopt a StreamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental service learning partner enabling students to participate in stream cleanup and environmental conservation activities.
• Feed NCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank and hunger relief organization serving as a service learning partner for CSD students.
• Ada Jenkins CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services organization serving as a service learning partner, providing volunteer opportunities for CSD students.
• Lake Norman State ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState park providing outdoor education and environmental learning opportunities as a service learning partner for CSD.
• The RelativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services organization serving as a service learning partner for CSD students.
• Davidson Housing CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable housing nonprofit serving as a service learning partner for CSD students.
• Habitat for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing construction nonprofit providing service learning and volunteer opportunities for CSD students.
• Cornelius Neighborhood C.A.R.E.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization serving as a service learning partner for CSD students in the Cornelius area.
• Project 658 and ourBridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee support organizations serving as service learning partners, providing volunteer opportunities for CSD students to support immigrant and refugee communities.
• Davidson Lands ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand conservation nonprofit serving as a service learning partner, providing environmental education and conservation volunteer opportunities.
• Discovery TrailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education organization serving as a service learning partner for CSD.
• Bags of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity support organization serving as a service learning partner, providing volunteer opportunities for CSD students.
• Access to SuccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational support organization serving as a service learning partner for CSD students.
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent school district referenced as a service learning partner and location for CSD alumni teachers.
• Jordan Driving School CharlotteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDriver's education provider referenced as a resource for CSD high school students to complete driver's education requirements.
• DragonFly MaxcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline registration and forms collection platform used by CSD for all sports registration, tryouts, and physical form management. All student-athletes must be registered and cleared through DragonFly before participating in any sports activities.
• NFHS Network (National Federation of State High School Associations)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides live streaming services for CSD athletic events, allowing families to purchase and watch games online through NFHS Live Stream.
• MaxPrepsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigh school sports statistics and rankings platform that tracks CSD athletic teams' performance and statistics.
• ParentSquarecoreTechnology or IntegrationSchool communication platform used by CSD for all school-wide communications including news, events, volunteer information, after school care registration, and invoicing. Parents use ParentSquare app to receive updates and complete administrative tasks.
• Google Workspace for EducationcoreTechnology or IntegrationEducation productivity tools from Google including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Google Classroom. Used by all CSD students and teachers for assignments, communication, signing into Chromebooks, and learning digital citizenship skills. Students in grades 8-12 have email access.
• LottereasecoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline lottery registration platform used for enrollment management. Families register for the lottery online, and the system generates lottery results and manages waitlists. Communication about lottery results is sent through Lotterease.
• Sandy Hook Promise (Say Something)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSD participates in the Sandy Hook Promise 'Say Something' anonymous reporting system, enabling students and families to securely and anonymously report safety concerns to help identify and support individuals at risk.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lake Norman Charter School: A North Carolina public charter school located in Huntersville, NC — immediately adjacent to CSD's footprint. Serves K-12 with comparable lottery-based enrollment, making it the closest geographic and structural peer to Community School of Davidson.
• Pine Lake Preparatory: A North Carolina public charter school in Mooresville, NC serving K-12 with lottery enrollment. Operates in the same Charlotte-region market as CSD and competes for the same pool of families seeking alternatives to traditional public schools.
• Corvian Community School: A K-12 public charter school in the Charlotte, NC area with lottery-based enrollment and a community-focused educational model. Highly comparable to CSD on charter structure, grade span, and Charlotte-region market overlap.
• Cabarrus Charter Academy: A North Carolina public charter school in Concord, NC (Cabarrus County) serving K-12 with lottery-based enrollment. Comparable to CSD in funding model, governance, and Charlotte-region family demographics.
• Union Academy Charter School: A North Carolina public charter school serving K-12 students in the Charlotte metro area with lottery enrollment. Comparable to CSD on charter structure, grade range, and competitive positioning for Charlotte-region families.
• Charlotte Lab School: A North Carolina public charter school in Charlotte with lottery-based enrollment and a K-12 structure. Operates in the same Charlotte-region market as CSD and pursues a similarly differentiated educational philosophy.
• Sugar Creek Charter School: A K-12 public charter school in the Charlotte, NC area with lottery enrollment. Comparable to CSD in operational model, regulatory environment, and competition for the same regional family base.
• Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy: A North Carolina public charter school in the Charlotte region serving K-12 with lottery-based enrollment. Comparable to CSD on charter funding model, lottery structure, and Charlotte-region market dynamics.
• KIPP Charlotte: A North Carolina public charter school network in Charlotte serving K-12 with lottery enrollment. Comparable to CSD as a tuition-free public charter competing for the same Charlotte-region families, though operating as part of the broader KIPP national network.

Broad incumbents

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: The traditional public school district serving the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area where CSD operates. Represents the broader incumbent option against which CSD positions itself as a charter alternative; receives higher per-pupil funding than charter schools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/csdcrier
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-school-of-davidson-csd
• Instagraminstagram.com/csdcrier?igsh=ejkzdHdpMmV2Yzl4

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Community School of Davidson