San Tan Charter School

What San Tan Charter School does

San Tan Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, founded in 2013 and operated by the nonprofit San Tan Montessori School, Inc. The school serves K-12 students across three distinct educational pathways — Mainstream (standards-based instruction), Gifted (accelerated academics, project-based learning, AP and dual enrollment), and Montessori (K-12 hands-on, student-led learning) — and operates three physical campuses: Recker (Preschool–K-12, Gilbert), Power (Grades 7-12, Gilbert), and Signal Butte (Preschool–K-8, Queen Creek, scheduled to open July 2026). Core academic delivery rests on licensed curricula including Wonders language arts and enVision Math, supplemented by the internally developed Roadrunner Roadmap personalized-learning framework, the Love and Logic behavior-management approach, and assessment tools Fastbridge (K-3) and NWEA MAP (grades 4-6).

The business model combines public charter per-pupil state funding for K-12 students with a suite of fee-based ancillaries: $300/month full-day kindergarten, before/after care, annual registration and activity fees, and summer camps priced at $30–$250 per session. A separately incorporated tuition-based private Montessori preschool (San Tan Montessori, LLC) for ages 1-5 charges $9,975–$14,250 annually and functions as a feeder pipeline into the K-12 charter under a different legal entity. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: families enroll through the school website, schedule campus tours, and select among program pathways.

Distribution is concentrated in Arizona within the Gilbert/Queen Creek corridor, with a stated headcount of 51-100 employees. Average teacher compensation has risen 44% since FY 2018 to $56,741 in budget year 2026. Leadership includes CEO/Superintendent Dr. Kristofer Sippel, founder Rita Sippel, and a Corporate Board of directors; the school has received multiple regional recognitions including seven consecutive years of Tribune's Best of the East Valley 'Best Charter School' (through 2018) and two consecutive years of A-rated school status.

Name

San Tan Charter School

Legal name

San Tan Montessori School, Inc

Website

https://santancharterschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

San Tan Charter School is a tuition-free public K-12 charter school in Gilbert, Arizona, serving families through three programs (Mainstream, Gifted, Montessori) across multiple campuses, with a co-located private preschool operating as a feeder pipeline.

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

Charter Montessori/Waldorf/Classical/Expeditionary (Pedagogical Models) (EDAJACAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-12 education
• Montessori education
• Gifted education programs
• Private preschool services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gilbert

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charter School Funding: Public charter school funded through per-pupil state funding and public charter school financing. Operates as a tuition-free K-12 institution with revenue from public education funding sources.
2. Activity and Registration Fees: Annual registration fees and per-program activity/extension fees for K-12 programs. Full-day kindergarten is fee-based at approximately $300/month.
3. Private Montessori Preschool Tuition: Separate tuition-based private Montessori preschool operated by San Tan Montessori, LLC. Tuition ranges from $9,975 to $14,250 annually depending on program (Toddler or Primary) and schedule (AM or Full Day).
4. Before/After Care Fees: Fee-based before and after care services available for K-12 students. Extended care available until 5:45 PM with separate billing.
5. Summer Camp Programs: Various summer athletic and academic camps including football, basketball, cheer, volleyball, soccer, and baseball camps at varying price points ($100-$250).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

San Tan Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school in Gilbert, Arizona offering K-12 education through three distinct programs: Mainstream (standards-based traditional learning), Gifted (accelerated instruction for grades 1-12), and Montessori (hands-on, whole-child development). The school also operates a separate tuition-based private Montessori preschool for ages 1-5 via its subsidiary San Tan Montessori, LLC.

Product overview

San Tan Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school in Gilbert, Arizona offering three distinct K-12 programs: Mainstream, Gifted, and Montessori. The Mainstream Program provides standards-based traditional education; the Gifted Program offers accelerated academics for qualifying students in grades 1-12; and the Montessori Program serves K-12 students with an independent, hands-on approach. The school also operates a separate fee-based Private Montessori Preschool (ages 1-5) through San Tan Montessori, LLC. The Roadrunner Roadmap™ framework personalizes learning across all programs, with facilities at three campuses (Recker, Power, and Signal Butte).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mainstream Program A tuition-free public charter program for grades K-12 providing structured, standards-based learning with strong academics, social support, and extracurricular opportunities. Targets families seeking a well-rounded traditional education.
• Gifted Program A tuition-free Arizona charter gifted program for grades 1-12 designed for accelerated learners with advanced academics, project-based instruction, AP courses, dual enrollment, and critical thinking development. Targets families with children who qualify through academic or cognitive assessments.
• Montessori Program A tuition-free Montessori charter pathway for K-12 students focusing on independence, hands-on learning, and whole-child development using Montessori peace table, hands-on materials, and strong teacher relationships. Recker Campus offers the full K-12 pathway.
• Private Montessori Preschool A private tuition-based Montessori preschool for ages 1-5, operated by San Tan Montessori, LLC (separate from the free K-12 charter). Offers infant, toddler, and primary programs with full-day and half-day options, following Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy with Love and Logic approach and Music Together program.
• Summer Camp Programs Various summer athletic and academic camps including football, basketball, cheer, volleyball, soccer, baseball camps and half-day/full-day options priced between $30 and $250 per camp.
• Before and After Care Fee-based before and after care services available for K-12 students, with extended care available until 5:45 PM at separate billing rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• A-rated school status for two consecutive years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• San Tan Montessori, LLCcoreOthersSeparate legal entity that operates the tuition-based private Montessori preschool program (Ages 1-5). Not part of the tuition-free K-12 charter program. Families with children in both preschool and K-12 can have siblings at the same school under different entities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BASIS Charter Schools: Top-rated Arizona-based tuition-free public charter K-12 network consistently ranked among the highest-performing schools in the U.S. Compares directly to San Tan as a multi-campus Arizona charter competing on academics, awards, and East Valley/Phoenix metro families.
• Legacy Traditional Schools: Tuition-free Arizona public charter K-12 network with multiple campuses across the Phoenix metro and statewide. Comparable to San Tan in scale, tuition-free charter model, multi-campus footprint, and reliance on per-pupil state funding.
• American Leadership Academy: Arizona-based tuition-free public charter K-12 network with campuses across the Phoenix metro, Pinal County, and other AZ regions. Directly comparable in mission, funding model, and East Valley target geography.
• Odyssey Preparatory Academy: Tuition-free public charter K-12 network in the Phoenix metro offering multiple campuses and program pathways. Compares to San Tan on charter funding model, multi-campus operations, and East Valley/Phoenix metro family base.
• Edkey (Sequoia Choice / Sequoia Charter Schools): Arizona nonprofit operator of multiple public charter schools including Sequoia Choice, offering tuition-free K-12 across the Phoenix metro. Comparable to San Tan on multi-campus charter operations and per-pupil state funding model.
• Arizona Charter Academy: Tuition-free public charter K-8 in the Phoenix metro serving similar East Valley family demographics. Comparable to San Tan on charter funding model, K-8 grade range, and tuition-free positioning against private and district alternatives.
• Sonoran Science Academy: Arizona tuition-free public charter K-12 network with a STEM emphasis, operating multiple campuses across the Phoenix and Tucson metros. Directly comparable to San Tan as an AZ charter pursuing strong academic reputation and parent-driven enrollment.
• Great Hearts Academies: Tuition-free public charter K-12 network operating across the Phoenix metro and Texas with a classical liberal-arts pedagogy. Directly comparable to San Tan as a multi-campus AZ charter pursuing strong outcomes, awards, and parent-driven enrollment.

Broad incumbents

• KIPP Schools (Arizona region): National nonprofit charter K-12 network with a Phoenix-area presence; broader scale and national brand than San Tan. Comparable as an AZ charter competitor and as a benchmark for what a scaled, multi-region charter operator can achieve.

Emerging players

• Casa del Niño Montessori School: Private Montessori preschool/early-childhood program in the Phoenix metro following Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy. Comparable to San Tan's Montessori pathway and to the private preschool subsidiary San Tan Montessori, LLC in pedagogy and target family segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SanTanCharterSchool
• Xx.com/stcsrocky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-tan-charter-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 San Tan Charter School