Graland Country Day School

What Graland Country Day School does

Graland Country Day School is a nonprofit independent school serving approximately 1,225 students from Preschool through Grade 8 at a single 55 Clermont Street campus in Denver's Hilltop neighborhood. Founded in 1924 and incorporated in 1927, the school operates on a progressive education model that emphasizes experiential learning, character development, and what the institution terms "Demonstrations of Learning" in lieu of traditional testing. The academic offering spans three core divisions (Preschool/PreK, Lower School K-4, and Middle School 5-8) augmented by signature programs including the Gates Invention & Innovation Program (a STEM/design thinking curriculum running PreK through Grade 8), a service learning track, and the TIDES overnight experiential trip sequence (Grade 5 La Foret retreat, Grade 6 Southwest Trip to Mesa Verde, Grade 7 Washington D.C., Grade 8 Civil Rights journey). Supporting programs include the Graland Theatre Company, Differentiated Learning services, Student Services, and the Horizons Graland summer enrichment program.

The school's instructional model is delivered by 103 full-time faculty at a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, with 70% of faculty holding master's degrees and an average 15 years of teaching experience. Faculty compensation is governed by the proprietary Sphere Compensation Model, introduced in 2019 through the Inspire Campaign, which rewards professional growth, classroom impact, and demonstrated values over tenure. The school operates within a multi-channel admissions model (website inquiry portals, campus visits, Open Houses, and a 30+ parent ambassador referral network) and is a member of NAIS, ACIS, The Colorado Diversity Network, and Challenge Foundation. Revenue is generated through tuition (subscription model billed annually), the multi-tier Annual Fund giving program (Leadership Circle $25,000+ through Eagle Circle and below), endowment income, scholarship funds (Bradley Thomas Memorial, Nancy Nye Priest Memorial, Romero, Samantha Loewi), and the Horizons Graland summer program. Head of School Josh Cobb and Director of Finance and Operations Juan Botello lead institutional leadership, with the school preparing for its centennial anniversary in 2027.

Name

Graland Country Day School

Legal name

Graland Country Day School

Website

https://graland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Graland Country Day School is a nonprofit private school in Denver, Colorado serving approximately 1,225 students from Preschool through Grade 8 at a single Hilltop campus, delivering progressive experiential education with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and signature STEM, service learning, and overnight trip programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Private K-8 education
• Independent day school
• Experiential learning programs
• Preschool education
• STEM signature programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Private school tuition revenue from families of students in preschool through Grade 8, supplemented by annual fund contributions, endowment income, and special program fees.
2. Annual Fund and Donations: Annual giving program critical to daily operating budget impacting students, teachers, and programs. Includes Leadership Circle ($25,000+), 1927 Circle ($20,000-$24,999), Founders Circle ($15,000-$19,999), Eagle Circle ($10,000-$14,999), and other giving levels.
3. Horizons Graland Program: Summer enrichment program providing additional revenue while extending educational mission beyond traditional academic year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Graland Country Day School provides private preschool through Grade 8 education to Denver-area families, organized around progressive, experiential learning with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Its core offerings span Preschool/PreK, Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8), reinforced by signature programs including the Gates Invention & Innovation STEM program, Service Learning, and the TIDES overnight trip program. The school also operates the Horizons Graland summer enrichment program as a separate enrollment offering.

Product overview

Graland Country Day School is a private pre K-Grade 8 school in Denver, Colorado offering a comprehensive educational program built on progressive education principles. The school provides a unified educational experience through its core programs: Preschool/PreK, Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8), complemented by signature programs including the Gates Invention & Innovation Program for STEM education, Service Learning, and Trips & Experiences featuring overnight educational journeys. The school also offers enrichment through Horizons Graland summer program, the Graland Theatre Company, Differentiated Learning support, and Student Services. Graland emphasizes character development, experiential learning, and preparing students to be engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders, with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and 103 full-time faculty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool/PreK Program Early childhood education program serving preschool and pre-kindergarten students with a curriculum focused on experiential learning, play-based activities, and school readiness.
• Lower School (K-4) Elementary education program for Kindergarten through Grade 4, emphasizing intellectual excellence, character development, and foundational academic skills through differentiated learning approaches.
• Middle School (5-8) Middle school program for Grades 5-8 focused on academic rigor, character development, and preparation for high school through experiential learning and signature programs.
• Gates Invention & Innovation Program Signature STEM program where students engage in design thinking, engineering challenges, and innovation projects, including the annual Gates Invention and Innovation Expo and Competition Day.
• Service Learning Program Program integrating community service into curriculum, teaching students empathy, social responsibility, and civic engagement through hands-on service experiences.
• Trips & Experiences (TIDES) Outdoor and experiential education program featuring overnight trips including Grade 5 La Foret retreat, Grade 6 Southwest Trip to Mesa Verde, Grade 7 Washington D.C. trip, and Grade 8 Civil Rights journey through the American South.
• Horizons Graland Summer Program Summer learning program providing academic enrichment and activities for students during summer break, designed to prevent learning loss and foster continued growth.
• Graland Theatre Company Performing arts program offering students opportunities in drama, theatre production, and public performance, including annual productions and Spark elective courses using devised theater and Moment Work methodology.
• Differentiated Learning Specialized academic support services helping students with diverse learning needs succeed through personalized instruction and accommodation strategies.
• Student Services Comprehensive support services including counseling, health services, and academic advising to support student well-being and success.
• Alumni College Ambassador Program Program connecting current Graland high school students with alumni currently in college for networking, mentorship, and guidance on college selection and transition.

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• PEBC Teacher ResidencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with PEBC (Public Education & Business Coalition) Teacher Residency program offering alternative teacher licensure. Residents are partnered with experienced mentor teachers at Graland and work toward elementary education licensure, with options for master's degree. Graland residents receive stipends and some benefits while training.
• Partner Universities for Master's DegreessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEBC Teacher Residency partners with universities allowing residents to pursue advanced degrees after their residency year. Residents encouraged to choose programs fitting their needs and interests.
• Denver Center for the Performing ArtssupportingTechnology or IntegrationGraland Theatre Company students participated in workshops with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts as part of their Spark elective and devised theatre curriculum.
• Denver Botanic GardenssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for campus planting activities where Denver Botanic Gardens partnered with Graland students to plant flowers and vegetables on campus as part of ongoing study of gardening and insects.
• 16 Universities (College Ambassador Program)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAlumni College Ambassador Program connects Graland alumni currently in college with high school students. Currently 16 universities represented with college ambassadors available to answer questions about college life.
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)supportingOthersHead of School Josh Cobb has presented the Sphere Compensation Model at NAIS national and regional conferences, and Graland contributed to NBOA's Mission-Anchored Compensation project.
• Prizmah, INDEX, and ACISsupportingOthersHead of School has presented the Sphere Compensation Model at conferences for these organizations supporting independent schools.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Principia School: Independent K-12 day and boarding school with experiential, character-based curriculum closely aligned with Graland's mission. Broad peer among NAIS member schools emphasizing whole-person education.
• Regis Jesuit High School: Denver-area Catholic private high school (grades 9-12). Direct feeder competition for Graland's 8th-grade graduates, and overlaps on the college-preparatory positioning in Denver.
• Lake Forest Country Day School: Independent K-8 day school in suburban Chicago with similar progressive educational philosophy, signature programs, and tuition tier. Comparable peer among NAIS-affiliated country day schools nationally.

Direct peers

• Kent Denver School: Premier Denver private K-12 school. Competes head-to-head with Graland for college-prep families, similar tuition tier, and overlapping signature programs (experiential learning, signature traditions).
• St. Anne's Episcopal School: Private K-8 school in Denver with faith-based mission. Closest match to Graland's grade span (K-8) within Denver, directly competing for preschool-Grade 8 families.
• Denver Country Day School: Private K-12 day school in Denver. Directly comparable in geography, grade span, and independent school positioning, competing with Graland for Denver-area families.
• Colorado Academy: Denver-based private K-12 school with comparable tuition, college-prep focus, and long operating history. Competes for the same Denver-area family demographic.
• Alexander Dawson School: Lafayette/Denver-area private K-12 school. Competes within the same Colorado independent school ecosystem, with progressive education philosophy similar to Graland.

Regional players

• Aspen Country Day School: Independent K-8 day school in Aspen, Colorado. Similar mission and K-8 grade span, with comparable experiential/outdoor education philosophy; competes in Colorado mountain-region family market.
• Vail Mountain School: Independent K-12 school in Vail, Colorado. Comparable experiential learning emphasis and college-prep curriculum, serving mountain-region families alongside Graland's Denver catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gralandcountryday
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/graland-country-day-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/gralandcountrydayschool
• Xx.com/graland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Graland Country Day School