The Cottage School

What The Cottage School does

The Cottage School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit private K-12 school in Roswell, Georgia, founded in 1985 to serve students with learning differences. It operates two campuses in Roswell: the main campus at 700 Grimes Bridge Road (grades 6-12) and a new elementary campus at 1565 Holcomb Bridge Road that opened in November 2024 (grades K-5). The school delivers a full academic program structured around a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio and individualized learning plans, with 100% of graduating students leaving with a post-secondary plan. Curricular breadth includes a STEM track (robotics, coding, forensic science), a fine arts program (drama, band, ceramics, culinary), an athletic program with 80%+ participation across 14+ sports, a Career Center for vocational studies and internships, and elective offerings such as horseback riding, woodworking, and rock climbing. The school is accredited by Cognia, SAIS, NAIS, ALDS, GISA, and AAAIS, and is ranked among the top 50 private special needs schools.

The business model is tuition-driven, supplemented by philanthropy. Primary revenue is recurring annual tuition for K-12 specialized education, with secondary non-tuition revenue from the Key Annual Fund (the single largest non-tuition source), the Glitter Scholarship Fundraiser gala, the Running of the Pumpkins 5K, the TCS Lights Up the Night community event, planned giving/bequests, the Kroger Community Rewards program, and the Georgia GOAL Scholarship tax-credit program. Specific tuition pricing is not publicly disclosed; families engage the admissions office directly for cost information. Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: campus tours (in-person and virtual), personalized admissions communication, social media presence on Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn, a monthly email newsletter, and a video content series ('Driving with Dr. Steve') drive awareness in the North Atlanta special-needs family segment. The school is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Head of School Dr. Steve Palmer (10 years in role), Director of Advancement Tangela McFarlane, and CFO Kelley LeRoy; it has no parent company and no outside equity investors.

Name

The Cottage School

Legal name

The Cottage School

Website

https://cottageschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Cottage School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit private K-12 school in Roswell, Georgia serving students with learning differences. It operates two campuses with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, delivering individualized learning plans, college prep, STEM, arts, athletics, and a Career Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education (Private K-12)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAH

Special Needs & Learning Differences Private Schools

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDAKAAAF

Special Education Alternative / Nonpublic Schools (NPS) & Placements

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Special Education Schools & Programs

Keywords

• Special education services
• Private K-12 school
• Learning differences support
• College preparatory programs
• Vocational education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Roswell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 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. Tuition: Primary revenue source from student tuition for K-12 specialized education programs
2. Key Annual Fund: Annual fundraising campaign - single largest source of non-tuition revenue. Supports curriculum materials, technology, arts programming, teacher training, facilities, and competitive salaries
3. Glitter Scholarship Fundraiser: Annual gala event raising funds for tuition assistance program
4. Running of the Pumpkins: 5K race event that serves as a community fundraiser
5. TCS Lights Up the Night: Community unity event supporting the school's mission
6. Planned Giving/Bequests: Bequest Society for supporters leaving charitable gifts through wills or estate plans
7. Kroger Community Rewards: Grocery rewards program where purchases generate donations to the school
8. Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program: Georgia's Education Expense Credit program partnering with GOAL Scholarship Organization

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cottage School is a non-profit 501(c)(3) private school that delivers specialized K-12 education to students with learning differences across two campuses in Roswell, Georgia. The school provides individualized learning plans, a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and comprehensive programs spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels, including college preparatory, vocational, STEM, fine arts, athletics, and career development offerings.

Product overview

The Cottage School is a private K-12 institution serving students with learning differences since 1985. The school operates two campuses in Roswell, Georgia and offers a comprehensive educational program through three academic divisions (Elementary K-5, Middle School 6-8, High School 9-12). The school provides specialized instruction with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, featuring a college-preparatory curriculum with honors courses, vocational studies, STEM programs, fine arts, athletics (with 80%+ participation), and career development. The institution also operates extensive summer programs, maintains a video content series, and hosts annual fundraising events including Glitter and Running of the Pumpkins. The school has achieved 100% student graduation with post-secondary plans and is recognized as a Top 50 Private Special Needs School.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elementary School Program (K-5) Foundational academic and social-emotional program for grades K-5 serving students with learning differences, with differentiated instruction and individualized learning plans.
• Middle School Program (6-8) Differentiated middle school instruction for grades 6-8 supporting adolescent students with learning differences, including PSAT preparation and individualized learning plans.
• High School Program (9-12) College-preparatory high school program for grades 9-12 with 25+ honors courses, vocational studies, internships, individualized learning plans, and a Career Center for post-secondary planning.
• Summer Programs Comprehensive seasonal summer camp offerings including academic exploration, adventure, culinary, sports, and music exploration camps for K-12 students.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive athletic program with 14+ sports including archery, baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, eSports, flag football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, with 80%+ student participation.
• STEM Program Science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum including robotics, coding, video editing, forensic science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Fine Arts Program
• Career Center
• TCS Mobile App

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students graduate with a post-secondary plan
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program allows shoppers to enroll and designate The Cottage School to receive a percentage of purchases back.
• Georgia GOAL Scholarship OrganizationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough Georgia's Education Expense Credit, the GOAL Scholarship Program allows taxpayers to support K-12 educational opportunities. TCS partners with GOAL as one of 139 participating schools.
• Kristen's SkincareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEbony and Ivory sponsor for the Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser event
• Barnes and YoungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Brookhaven Family DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Total Wine & MoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Grant The CFOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• EventricateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Business Development GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• HIPIHIPIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Ken and Janet MartinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Gail Morgan & Philippe JeoffroyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Wally & Janet MrozikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Jean & George MenseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Mark & Becky ThelenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• Bob HaganminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Tie sponsor for Glitter 2026 scholarship fundraiser
• American Alarm CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• American Facility ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• AOT Office TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• Atlanta Specialized CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• Bob Hagan Sterling HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• Gordon and Ashley OwensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• Savant TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• SouthState BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• Variant BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Running of the Pumpkins 2026 community event
• Keystone ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for TCS Lights Up the Night 2026 community unity event

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eagle Hill School: Independent private school in Greenwich, CT serving students ages 5-15 with learning disabilities, ADHD, and language-based differences. Comparable mission, low student-teacher ratios, and individualized learning plans.
• The Craig School: Private school in Mountain Lakes, NJ serving students in grades 3-12 with language-based learning differences. Comparable low-ratio, individualized instruction model with a parallel college-prep curriculum focus.
• The Howard School: Atlanta-based private K-12 school exclusively serving students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. The closest direct local competitor to The Cottage School, operating in the same metro with a similar mission and student population.
• The Lab School of Washington: Private K-12 school in Washington, DC dedicated to educating students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia. Operates with a similar individualized philosophy and strong arts/science programs.
• The Vanguard School: Private school in Malvern, PA serving students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences through grades K-12. Comparable individualized instruction philosophy, college-prep focus, and breadth of arts/athletics programming.
• The Bay School: Private K-8 school in the San Francisco Bay Area serving bright students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. Highly comparable pedagogical model and small-class individualized approach.
• Forman School: Private college-prep school in Litchfield, CT serving students in grades 9-12 with dyslexia and other learning differences. Comparable individualized instruction model, similar extracurricular breadth, and a parallel post-secondary planning focus.
• Landmark School: Private residential and day school in Beverly, MA serving students in grades 2-12 with language-based learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD). Closely aligned model with college-prep, athletics, and arts offerings for LD students.
• The Schenck School: Independent private school in Atlanta serving students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences (K-6). Another direct local peer competing for the same family segment in metro Atlanta.
• The Churchill School and Center: Independent K-12 school in New York City serving students with language-based learning disabilities. Comparable mission, individualized learning plans, and emphasis on preparing students for mainstream college placement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCottageSchoolRoswell
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/the-cottage-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/tcscougars
• Xx.com/cottageschoolga

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Cottage School