Capital City Public Charter School

What Capital City Public Charter School does

Capital City Public Charter School is a nonprofit, tuition-free public charter school authorized by the DC Public Charter School Board and headquartered at 100 Peabody Street NW in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1999 by parents and teachers from Phoebe Hearst Elementary School as the first parent-founded public charter school in the District, the school serves more than 1,000 students across grades PK3-12 within a single building that houses three distinct campuses (Lower, Middle, and High School). The school employs 245 staff including teachers, administrators, and 11 full-time arts professionals, and reports low teacher-to-student ratios (1:10 in high school, 1:11 in middle school).

Capital City is the first EL Education school in Washington, D.C., and has held EL Education Mentor School designation since 2011, operating an expeditionary, project-based learning model that integrates fieldwork, community service, and expert visits across the curriculum. The academic product stack is supplemented by an Adventure outdoor-education program, a Visual & Performing Arts program, an Athletics program competing in the DC Public Charter Athletics Conference, and a College Preparation program with three full-time counselors that has produced a 100% college acceptance rate for every graduating class since the first in 2012, with an average of over $3 million in scholarships per class. Supporting infrastructure includes a 5,250-square-foot library with over 14,000 books, dual-enrollment courses with the University of the District of Columbia, and integrated edtech platforms (Infinite Campus SIS, ParentSquare communications, Naviance college planning, Parchment records, PaySchools billing).

Revenue is generated primarily through per-pupil funding from the DC government tied to enrollment, supplemented by tuition for the Eagle Care before- and after-school program (sliding scale), federal meal-program reimbursements, private grants (e.g., CityBridge Foundation Breakthrough Schools), and donations including an annual SOUL Soirée fundraiser. Go-to-market is via the My School DC citywide common lottery (March-May enrollment window), open houses, virtual information sessions, and campus tours. The school is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and has no parent company, subsidiary, or outside equity ownership.

Name

Capital City Public Charter School

Legal name

Capital City Public Charter School

Website

https://ccpcs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Capital City Public Charter School is a tuition-free, nonprofit public charter school in Washington, D.C., serving 1,000+ students in grades PK3-12 via the EL Education project-based learning model, funded by DC per-pupil allocations and supplemented by extended-care tuition and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Montessori/Waldorf/Classical/Expeditionary (Pedagogical Models) (EDAJACAL), Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK), Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

Keywords

• K-12 charter school
• Public charter education
• Project-based learning
• College preparatory programs
• Expeditionary learning model

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Funding: Public charter school receives per-pupil funding from DC government based on enrollment. This is the primary revenue source.
2. Extended Care (Eagle Care) Program: Tuition-based before and after school care program for Pre-K3 through 6th grade students. Families pay tuition based on a sliding scale through the child care subsidy program.
3. Grants and Awards: Various grants including CityBridge Foundation Breakthrough Schools grant, at-risk funding, Title IX funding, and other government and private grants.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Annual spring fundraiser (SOUL Soirée) raised $50,000 at the 2nd annual event. Family and Friends Giving Fund provides ongoing donation opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Capital City Public Charter School delivers tuition-free PK3-12 public charter school education to Washington, D.C. residents across Lower, Middle, and High School campuses housed in a single building. The school's pedagogy is built on the EL Education expeditionary learning model with project-based curricula, supplemented by athletics, arts, adventure, library, nutrition, college counseling, and extended care programs.

Product overview

Capital City Public Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school serving PK3-12th grade (ages 3-18) with a unified educational model grounded in EL Education principles. The school operates as a single unified product with interconnected programs: Early childhood education (Pre-K using Creative Curriculum), Lower School (PreK-4th), Middle School (5th-8th), and High School (9-12) form the academic core. These are supported by integrated programs including the Adventure Program (outdoor education), Visual and Performing Arts (11 full-time arts staff), Athletics and After School Activities (free to all students), College Preparation (with 100% acceptance rate), Eagle Care (extended care), Library Services (5,250 sq ft, 14,000+ books), and Nutrition and Wellness. The EL Education model serves as the pedagogical foundation across all grade levels, integrating fieldwork, community service, and project-based expeditions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-Kindergarten Program (PK3-PK4) Multi-age classroom program for children ages 3-4 (PK3 and PK4) using Creative Curriculum by Teaching Strategies. Each classroom typically hosts 8 three-year-olds and 11 four-year-olds with three educators, including at least one bilingual Spanish teacher. Play-based instruction with developmental activities.
• Lower School (Grades PK-4) Grades PreK-4th grade program using the Responsive Classroom approach and EL Education literacy modules. Students participate in fieldwork, community service, and complete portfolio passage process in 4th grade.
• Middle School (Grades 5-8) Grades 5-8 program maintaining a 1:11 teacher-to-student ratio with the Crew advisory system. Students complete a portfolio passage process in 8th grade demonstrating readiness for high school.
• High School (Grades 9-12) Grades 9-12 college preparatory program with dual enrollment options through University of the District of Columbia, three full-time college counselors, AP courses including English, U.S. Government, and Spanish, and a senior expedition requirement for graduation.
• EL Education Model Expeditionary learning approach integrating project-based curriculum with fieldwork, community service, and expert visits. Capital City is the first EL Education school in D.C. and designated as a Mentor School.
• Adventure Program Outdoor education program including hiking, swimming, ice-skating, rock-climbing, and camping trips. The 9th-grade camping trip is a signature experience building resilience and teamwork.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports program competing in the DC Public Charter Athletics Conference. Sports include soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, cross-country, cheerleading, dance, step, softball, and tennis.
• After School Activities Free enrichment program for grades 5-12 including sports (soccer, flag football, basketball, track), arts (dance, drama, musicals, rock band), and academic support (debate, yearbook, SAT prep).
• College Preparation Program Comprehensive college readiness program with a 100% college acceptance rate since 2012. Includes three full-time counselors, senior seminar, SAT prep, college visits, and alumni support through college years.
• Eagle Care (Extended Care) Before and after school care program for Pre-K3 through 6th grade. Provides a safe, nurturing environment Monday–Friday 7:30 AM – 6 PM, with tuition based on a sliding scale through the child care subsidy program.
• Library Services Two-floor, 5,250 square foot library spanning 2nd and 3rd floors with over 14,000 books, AV equipment, and library guides for each school level.
• Nutrition and Wellness Program Comprehensive wellness program including meals meeting USDA Dietary Guidelines and Healthy Schools Act requirements. Participates in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
• Visual and Performing Arts Integrated arts curriculum including visual arts, music, drama, and dance taught by 11 full-time arts professionals. Students perform in the theater space and participate in Fiesta Latina and Black History Month celebrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate for every graduating class since 2012
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DC SCOREScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Since 2012, Capital City has partnered with DC SCORES to offer after school soccer and creative writing programs to 4th-8th grade students. DC SCORES provides training, coaches, equipment, uniforms, a competition schedule, and transportation for away games. In October 2015, Capital City received a state-of-the-art soccer mini-pitch from MLS WORKS, adidas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Southern New Hampshire University through this partnership.
• Howard University (ENCAPS Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoward University mentors from ENCAPS Inc. mentor Middle School students weekly, fostering community and personal growth. ENCAPS was co-founded by Capital City alum Kendal from the Class of 2021.
• Diverse Charter Schools CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a member of Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, Capital City is connected to fellow diverse charter schools and receives access to outside resources to help improve education practice.
• University of the District of Columbia (UDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents can take dual enrollment courses through UDC while at Capital City. Students take high school courses while taking a course at UDC, typically on Wednesdays when students are dismissed at 1pm. Students can potentially graduate with a semester of college credits already completed.
• National GeographicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Geographic joined Capital City students and staff on a variety of adventure trips during the 2016-2017 school year, showcasing how Capital City education empowers students to be explorers and learn collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DC Prep: DC public charter network serving PK3-8 across multiple campuses with a college-prep focus. Directly comparable as a DC charter competitor targeting similar families in the citywide lottery.
• Friendship Public Charter School: DC public charter school network serving PK3-12 across multiple campuses with a similar college-prep mission. Competes with Capital City in the My School DC lottery for the same DC-resident family segment.
• KIPP DC: Largest public charter school network in Washington, D.C., operating multiple campuses serving PK3-12 across the city. Directly comparable as a DC-based, multi-campus public charter competing for the same My School DC lottery families.
• E.L. Haynes Public Charter School: DC public charter school serving PK3-12 with a college-prep mission and social-emotional focus. Comparable as a DC lottery competitor targeting similar family demographics.
• Two Rivers Public Charter School: DC public charter serving PK3-8 with an expeditionary/project-based learning model and focus on whole-child education. Closely comparable given the overlapping EL Education-adjacent pedagogy and DC lottery market.

Broad incumbents

• BASIS Charter Schools: National charter network with an academically rigorous, college-prep focus and AP-heavy curriculum. Comparable as a higher-end charter competitor, though BASIS's footprint outside DC is broader than Capital City's single site.

Regional players

• Achievement First: Multi-state public charter network with a strong college-prep identity and a comparable mission-driven, high-expectations model. Comparable as a charter operator archetype but primarily Northeast-based rather than DC.
• IDEA Public Schools: Large national public charter network with college-prep focus and demonstrated 100% college acceptance rates among graduates. Comparable on outcomes ambition, though geographically concentrated in Texas and the South rather than DC.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Large, high-performing urban public charter network based in New York City with similar college-prep rigor and outcomes-driven branding. Comparable as a charter operator archetype but operates in a different geography than Capital City.

Others

• Diverse Charter Schools Coalition: Coalition of demographically diverse public charter schools of which Capital City is a member. Provides peer benchmarking, advocacy, and resource-sharing relevant to a DC charter's strategic positioning, though it is an ecosystem organization rather than an operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/capitalcitypcs
• Xx.com/capitalcitypcs
• Facebookfacebook.com/CapitalCityPCS

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Capital City Public Charter School