What The Pepin Academies does

The Pepin Academies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charter school system headquartered in Tampa, Florida, founded in 1999 to exclusively serve students with learning disabilities. The network operates three campuses across the Tampa Bay region — Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey — educating roughly 1,050 students in grades 3-12, with a Transition Program extending services to learners ages 18-22.

The academy's core product is an individualized special-education delivery model organized around Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), delivered by credentialed special-education teachers alongside speech-language, occupational, and other clinical therapy staff at lower student-to-clinician ratios than typical public schools. Recent programmatic investments include a 2nd grade pilot at New Port Richey extending the grade range downward, an arts integration partnership with the Patel Conservatory, and a February 2025 pilot with Scholar Education deploying AI-assisted lesson-plan and progress-monitoring tooling to reduce teacher documentation load. The organization has also received external validation as a 2025 Yass Prize Finalist and STOP Award recipient, and operates a Before/After Care program for supplemental family services.

The business model is fundamentally a per-pupil public funding model. The majority of revenue is derived from Florida state charter-school per-pupil allocations (with special-education weighting) and federal IDEA and Title flows, distributed across 1,050+ enrolled families via a lottery-based admission process. Secondary revenue streams include tax-deductible donations and grants (enabled by 501(c)(3) status), fundraising proceeds, and Before/After Care and additional meal-purchase fees. The go-to-market motion is enrollment-cycle driven rather than sales-driven: the network competes for state-funded seats via charter authorization, parent word-of-mouth, and brand recognition within the regional learning-disability community. Customer concentration at the unit level is low (no individual family dominates funding), but vertical concentration is absolute — every mission, curriculum, and funding line is tied to learning-disability special education.

Name

The Pepin Academies

Legal name

Pepin Academies

Website

https://pepinacademies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Pepin Academies is a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charter school system serving approximately 1,050 students with learning disabilities across three Tampa Bay campuses in grades 2-12, funded primarily through Florida per-pupil state allocations supplemented by donations and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Schools

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK), Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences (EDANAFAJ), Specialized Learning Support (Dyslexia/LD Coaching, Assistive Strategies) (EDAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Special education schools
• Learning disability services
• Individualized student instruction
• Therapeutic education programs
• Career technical education

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Charter School Funding: As a public charter school, Pepin Academies receives per-pupil state funding based on enrollment. Being a tuition-free institution, the primary revenue stream comes from government per-pupil allocations.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Pepin Academies receives donations through various campaigns including the 1905 Family of Restaurants Community Harvest Program (5% of purchases), Adopt-A-Classroom campaigns, and direct donations via their portal.
3. Before/After Care Program Fees: Families pay for Before/After Care programs through automatic payments via MySchoolBucks. Registration is required for all students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Pepin Academies operates a three-campus network of tuition-free public charter schools serving students with documented learning disabilities. Its core service combines individualized special education and IEP support with therapies delivered during the school day, complemented by career and technical education, transition services, arts, athletics, clubs, nutrition, and before/after care.

Product overview

Pepin Academies is a network of three tuition-free, public charter schools serving students with learning disabilities in grades 3-12 across Tampa Bay. The core offering consists of special education programs with individualized instruction, complemented by Career and Technical Education (CTE), Arts Programs, Athletics, and a Transition Program for students ages 18-22. The institution integrates therapy services (occupational, physical, speech, mental health) into the school day, along with before/after care, nutrition programs, and extracurricular clubs. The schools operate from three campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey, Florida.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Education Programs Tuition-free public charter school education for students with documented learning disabilities in grades 3-12, using individualized instruction and continuous and authentic assessments.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career preparation for students through programs including small engine repair, culinary arts, other vocational skills, real jobs, and real-world partnerships.
• Transition Program Postsecondary preparation for students ages 18-22 who may need additional time and experience before college, employment, or another chosen path.
• Arts Programs Performing arts education for students, including improvisation, pantomime, script work, and stage performances delivered in partnership with Patel Conservatory.
• Athletics Programs Student athletics offerings including soccer, volleyball, basketball, golf, flag football, street hockey, and cheerleading for students in grades 5-12 across the three campuses.
• Clubs & Extracurricular Activities After-school social opportunities, clubs, and extracurricular activities that provide teamwork, competition, and social-skills development.
• Therapy Services No-cost access for qualifying students to social workers, mental health counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
• School Nutrition Program National School Breakfast/Lunch Program providing free breakfast and lunch to all students, with additional meals available for purchase.
• Before/After Care Program Fee-based care provided from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM and from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, with automatic payment setup through MySchoolBucks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Valedictorians and Salutatorians from Class of 2026 recognized for academic excellence
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration10 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Patel ConservatorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Patel Conservatory provides performing arts training in partnership with Pepin Academies. Instructor Matthew Belopavlovich teaches improvisation, pantomime, and script work to help students develop skills and confidence through creative expression.
• Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated at University of South Florida's College of Education, the center nominated Pepin Academies teacher Allen Gowan-Smith for the 2026 REEL Award, recognizing excellence in economic education.
• Scholar EducationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with Scholar Education to pilot an AI program in Tampa classrooms. The AI system helps streamline lesson planning and track student progress.
• 1905 Family of RestaurantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepin Academies participates in the Community Harvest Program. When diners write in Pepin Academies at Columbia Restaurant, Ulele, Goody Goody, Casa Santo Stefano, and other locations, 5% of food and beverage purchases are donated to the school.
• Local Businesses and Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborate with local businesses to offer internships, job placement programs, and extracurricular activities for students.
• Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepin Academies is a member of FCPCS. The consortium awarded the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarship to Pepin student Anthony Olivera Rivas, with EGIS Insurance & Risk Advisors sponsoring four scholarships.
• Center for Education ReformcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost of the Yass Prize initiative. Conducted Roadshow visit to Pepin Academies Tampa campus to showcase the school's innovative education model for students with learning disabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Charter Schools USA: One of the largest Florida-based charter management organizations operating numerous campuses across the state. Comparable as a charter operator in the same Florida regulatory and funding environment, though not LD-specialized.
• National Heritage Academies: Large charter management organization operating K-8 schools across multiple states; runs tuition-free public charter schools with a moral focus theme. Comparable as a multi-state charter operator, though its model is broader than LD-only specialization.
• Stride (K12 Inc): National online and blended-learning K-12 provider with curriculum tailored to diverse learners including those with special needs. Comparable as a K-12 alternative delivery model with special education exposure, though primarily virtual.

Direct peers

• New England Center for Children: Special education provider and private day school serving students with autism and related developmental disabilities. Comparable operating model — school-day integration of intensive therapy and academics for a specialized-needs population.
• Monarch School: San Diego-based K-12 school exclusively serving students with learning disabilities; integrates therapeutic and academic services throughout the school day. Closely aligned with Pepin's integrated therapeutic model and LD-only mission.
• Chartwell School: California K-8 school serving bright students with learning disabilities; combines academics with speech-language, occupational therapy, and counseling. Mirrors Pepin's integrated therapy + individualized instruction approach for an LD-exclusive population.
• The Vanguard School: Private, tuition-based K-12 school in Pennsylvania specifically designed for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD). Highly comparable to Pepin's tuition-free, IEP-driven, therapy-integrated model serving students with learning disabilities.
• The Lab School of Washington: Washington, D.C. school for students with learning differences including ADHD; integrates therapeutic, arts, and academic programs. Direct peer given shared mission of serving LD/ADHD students with intensive wraparound services.

Others

• Catapult Learning: Provider of special education, intervention, and related services to K-12 schools and districts. Comparable as a specialized-needs education services ecosystem participant that schools and CMOs contract with for supplemental services.

Regional players

• Mater Academy Charter Schools: Florida-based charter school network operating multiple campuses throughout the state. Comparable as a Florida charter operator navigating the same funding and regulatory framework, though not specialized in learning disabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pepinacademies
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PepinAcademies
• Facebookfacebook.com/PepinAcademies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/pepin-academies
• Instagraminstagram.com/pepinacademies

Compliance7 records

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 The Pepin Academies