What Drew Charter School does

Drew Charter School (legal name: Charles R. Drew Charter School) is a public, non-profit charter school in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2000 as Atlanta's first public charter school. It operates under a charter agreement with Atlanta Public Schools (renewed through 2022) and serves more than 1,800 students across a Pre-K-through-12th-grade "cradle-to-college" continuum delivered at two campuses: the Elementary Campus (Pre-K through 5th grade) and the Yates Campus (Junior Academy grades 6-8 and Senior Academy grades 9-12). Drew is the educational component of the East Lake Foundation's holistic neighborhood revitalization model alongside the Villages of East Lake mixed-income housing, the East Lake Family YMCA, Charlie Yates Golf Course, and Purpose Built Communities partners.

Drew's core instructional technology is a Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology with an integrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) framework, anchored by a literacy foundation. Drew was the first K-8 STEAM-certified school in Georgia (2019) and operates an "innovative Literacy Center" to close achievement gaps, a Media Center for physical and digital resources, an R.I.S.E. after-school program, and an "AI at Drew" curricular offering. College and career readiness programming, including counseling, post-secondary planning, and outreach to college representatives, supports the Senior Academy. Specialized programs include performing arts (bands, choruses, dance troupes, orchestra, harp), athletics, and competitive debate.

Drew's revenue is generated through three primary streams: (1) per-pupil state funding from Georgia and federal Title I and pandemic-related (CARES Act / CRRSA Act) funding, (2) local pass-through funding from Atlanta Public Schools under the charter agreement, and (3) philanthropic funding through the Drew CARES donor program, foundation grants (CF Foundation, James M. Cox Foundation), and community partnerships. The school's customers are families in the East Lake community and broader Atlanta; enrollment is lottery-based, free of tuition, and supported by tours and prospective-parent nights. There is no disclosed revenue figure, no parent company, and no M&A activity on record.

Name

Drew Charter School

Legal name

Charles R. Drew Charter School

Website

https://drewcharterschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Drew Charter School is a non-profit, Pre-K-through-12 public charter school in Atlanta, founded in 2000 as the city's first charter school, serving 1,800+ students via Project-Based Learning and an integrated STEAM curriculum as part of the East Lake Foundation's holistic community revitalization model.

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 Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-12 public education
• Project-based learning
• STEAM curriculum design
• College readiness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school, Drew receives per-pupil funding from the state of Georgia based on student enrollment
2. Federal Funding: Receives federal education funding including Title I funding and CARES Act/CRRSA Act funding for COVID-19 response
3. Local Funding: Funding from Atlanta Public Schools as part of its charter agreement
4. Grants and Donations: The Drew CARES donor program and various foundation grants support the school's operations and programs. In 2020-2021, the Drew Opportunity Fund raised over $100,000 from 265 donors to support family support requests.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Drew Charter School delivers a tuition-free Pre-K through Grade 12 public charter school education to more than 1,800 students in Atlanta's East Lake community, organized across an Early Learning Academy, Elementary Academy, Junior Academy, and Senior Academy. Instruction is anchored in a Project-Based Learning methodology integrated with a STEAM framework, supported by college and career readiness counseling, after-school programming (R.I.S.E.), athletics, performing arts, and family support services. The school also operates the Drew CARES donor engagement program that funds student and family support beyond per-pupil public funding.

Product overview

Drew Charter School is a single-site K-12 public charter school offering a comprehensive educational ecosystem rather than a technology product portfolio. The school operates through four academies—Elementary Academy (Pre-K to Grade 5), Junior Academy (Grades 6-8), and Senior Academy (Grades 9-12)—alongside early education partnerships, college readiness counseling, after-school programming, and extensive extracurricular offerings including athletics and performing arts. The school employs project-based learning with an integrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) framework as its primary instructional methodology, making it the first K-8 STEAM certified school in Georgia. Drew also operates a Media Center, R.I.S.E. After School Program, and Drew CARES donor engagement initiative. Drew is Atlanta's first public charter school, opened in 2000, serving over 1,800 students in the East Lake community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• East Lake Early Learning Academy (Pre-K) Pre-kindergarten early childhood education program operated in partnership with the East Lake Family YMCA through the Rollins Center for Language and Learning at the Atlanta Speech School; serves as the entry point of Drew's cradle-to-college continuum.
• Elementary Academy Lower school academic program serving Grades Pre-K through 5 that implements project-based learning with an integrated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) framework and a strong literacy foundation.
• Junior Academy Middle school academic program serving Grades 6-8 that continues the STEAM-focused, project-based learning approach and offers enrichment opportunities, clubs, and extracurricular activities.
• Senior Academy Upper school academic program serving Grades 9-12 that offers a college preparatory curriculum with college and career readiness programming, culminating in graduation; the inaugural 2017 graduating class achieved a 100% graduation rate with 100% college acceptance.
• College and Career Readiness Counseling and wellness program that helps students prepare for college admission and career opportunities, including partnerships with college representatives and post-graduation planning support.
• R.I.S.E. After-School Program After-school enrichment program that provides academic support, extended learning opportunities, and supervised activities for students outside regular school hours.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive athletics department offering sports teams across multiple disciplines for boys and girls, including teams that have competed at state championship level.
• Performing Arts Program Performing arts programming that includes bands, choruses, dance troupes, orchestra, and a harp program, with performances given throughout the state and nation.
• Drew CARES Donor and Family Support Program Charitable giving and donor engagement program that channels philanthropic contributions to Drew Charter School, including the Drew Opportunity Fund which raises money to fulfill family support requests such as food security and rent or utilities assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduation rate and college acceptance for inaugural graduating class (2017)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• East Lake FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Lake Foundation established in 1995 to revitalize the East Lake neighborhood. Drew Charter School is the educational component of the Foundation's holistic community revitalization effort including The Villages of East Lake (mixed-income housing) and community wellness programs.
• Atlanta Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrew operates as Atlanta's first public charter school under an agreement with Atlanta Public Schools. The charter was renewed in 2017 for five more years through 2022.
• Georgia State University College of Education and Human DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for teacher preparation, professional development, and educational program development supporting the school's innovative approach.
• Georgia State University College of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting arts education and enrichment programs at Drew Charter School.
• Georgia Tech - Center for Education, Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership supporting STEAM education through science, mathematics, and computing integration programs.
• The Westminster Schools - Center for TeachingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing teacher training and professional development support for Drew faculty.
• East Lake Family YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA facility adjacent to Drew Charter School opened in 2001, housing the East Lake Early Learning Academy. Partnership supports early childhood education and community wellness programs.
• Charlie Yates Golf CoursesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharlie Yates Golf Course opened in 1998 as part of the East Lake community redevelopment. Supports First Tee of Metro Atlanta junior golf programs.
• First Tee of Metro AtlantasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJunior golf academy program at Charlie Yates Golf Course that joined the national First Tee program in 2004.
• Purpose Built Schools AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization replicating the East Lake Foundation's successful model of holistic community revitalization including quality education.
• Purpose Built CommunitiessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization established in 2009 to replicate the East Lake Foundation's model of holistic community revitalization across the country.
• Rollins Center for Language and Literacy at the Atlanta Speech SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Cox Pre-K Program opened in 2007 supporting early language development and literacy instruction at Drew.
• Sheltering Arms East Lake CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly learning center opened in 2001 providing early childhood education services as part of the East Lake community ecosystem.
• The TOUR ChampionshipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGA Tour event hosted at East Lake Golf Club since 2005 as permanent home, supporting community visibility and economic development.
• Urban Youth Harp EnsemblesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic program with over 70 students participating, providing harp instruction for Drew students in Junior and Senior Academies.
• East Lake Early Learning AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly learning academy opened in 2011 at the East Lake Family YMCA, serving as part of Drew's cradle-to-college education continuum.
• PublixsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpened first neighborhood grocery store in the community in 30 years in 2001, supporting community food security.
• Georgia Charter School AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState charter school association providing advocacy, professional development, and recognition programs for Drew.
• Georgia Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education department providing oversight, funding, and STEAM certification for Drew's educational programs.
• Bright from the StartsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia's state pre-k program partner supporting early childhood education programs at Drew.
• Governor's Office of Student AchievementsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState office providing innovation awards and recognition for Drew teachers and programs.
• Camp Twin LakessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp providing recreational and educational programs for children with serious illnesses and disabilities, supporting Drew's enrichment offerings.
• Delta Community Credit UnionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial partner supporting community programs and services for Drew families.
• Hope for Youth (HYPE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development program supporting Drew students through enrichment and community engagement.
• The Villages of East Lake/Columbia ResidentialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMixed-income housing community (half public housing assisted/tax-credit units, half market-rate) established through East Lake Foundation, serving as the residential component of the holistic community revitalization alongside Drew's education pipeline.
• Charles Drew Charter School PTAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent-teacher association supporting Drew through volunteer programs, fundraising, and family engagement activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Atlanta Public Schools: Urban public school district serving Atlanta and acting as Drew's charter authorizer. Relevant as the broader K-12 district context for performance benchmarking and as the body responsible for charter renewal decisions.
• KIPP Foundation: National charter school network parent operating 270+ schools serving similar underserved urban populations with a college-prep focus. Establishes strategic context for KIPP Metro Atlanta as Drew's most direct multi-school charter network peer.

Direct peers

• Purpose Built Schools Atlanta: Sister organization within the Purpose Built Communities network that operates additional Atlanta charter schools replicating the cradle-to-college community-school model pioneered at Drew. Closest institutional peer with shared IP and governance DNA.
• Ivy Preparatory Academy: Georgia public charter school network with a college-prep focus operating across multiple metro areas. Comparable to Drew on charter model, college readiness mission, and state authorization context.
• Ron Clark Academy: Atlanta-based public charter school (middle grades) known for nationally recognized innovative teaching methodology. Comparable to Drew on Atlanta geography, innovation focus, and teacher recognition.
• Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School (ANCS): Independent Atlanta K-5 charter school serving families through lottery-based enrollment. Directly comparable to Drew's Elementary Academy on mission, geographic context, and lottery admissions model.
• Centennial Academy: Atlanta Public Schools charter school serving grades K-8 with leadership and academic excellence focus. Comparable to Drew on charter authorization context and metro Atlanta geography.
• Wesley International Academy: Atlanta public charter school (K-8) with language immersion (Mandarin/Spanish) and global focus. Comparable to Drew on Atlanta charter authorization context and differentiated curriculum delivery.
• KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools: Major charter school network operating multiple K-8/12 schools in metro Atlanta serving similar demographics with a college-prep focus. Most directly comparable multi-school charter peer to Drew in the same metro, sharing charter authorization context and student population.
• The Museum School of Avondale Estates: Project-based, interdisciplinary public charter school (K-8) in metro Atlanta. Comparable to Drew on project-based learning methodology, Atlanta geography, and innovation emphasis in instruction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DrewCharter
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Charles-R-Drew-Charter-School/574845299223191
• Instagraminstagram.com/drewcharterschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Drew Charter School