Academy for Science and Design

What Academy for Science and Design does

Academy for Science and Design (ASD) is a tuition-free chartered public school and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving approximately 700 students in grades 5-12 from more than 30 New Hampshire communities, headquartered at a purchased permanent campus at 9 Townsend West in Nashua, NH. Founded in 2007, the school operates a STEM-focused curriculum that progresses from middle-school exploration across engineering, computer science, life sciences, and mathematics to high-school specialization supported by three signature graduate experiences: a year-long Capstone Research Project defended before industry professionals, a 100+ hour professional internship, and 150 hours of community service.

The school's academic product is delivered through a dedicated facility stack including the Laflotte Innovation Lab (VR and AI tools via syGlass), a Digital Media Studio, a STEM Communication Auditorium, a Digitalis portable planetarium for outreach, and an Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) that is also distributed to other schools. The faculty comprises approximately 80 educators, with nearly 80% holding advanced degrees and roughly half drawn from industry; the school maintains a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Outcomes include 100% four-year college matriculation, 95% of graduates pursuing STEM majors (versus a national average of 18%), and U.S. News & World Report #1 charter ranking in New Hampshire.

ASD's business model is a hybrid of per-pupil state charter funding (approximately $9,000 per student, less than half the state average), tax-deductible donations from families and alumni, foundation grants, and a monthly giving program (Partners in Progress). The school is governed by a Board of Trustees drawn from STEM industry and higher education, and operates without equity ownership, venture funding, or a parent entity. Customer acquisition is community-led through lottery-based enrollment, information sessions, and word-of-mouth, with no tuition charged.

Name

Academy for Science and Design

Legal name

Academy for Science and Design

Website

https://asdnh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Academy for Science and Design is a tuition-free New Hampshire public charter school serving approximately 700 students in grades 5-12 from 30+ communities, delivering STEM-focused education with industry internships, capstone research, and a permanent campus anchored by a VR/AI Innovation Lab.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 STEM Education (Charter School)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engineering Design & Project-Based Learning Programs (EDAMADAB), STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• STEM secondary education
• Public charter school
• College preparatory program
• Hands-on science curriculum
• Engineering and design education

Headquarters

HQ city

Merrimack

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a chartered public school, ASD receives per-pupil state funding based on enrollment. Operates on approximately $9,000 per student, which is less than half the state average for public schools.
2. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations from families, alumni, and community partners support innovation labs, equipment, student support programs, and campus improvements. ASD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Federal Tax ID: 41-2204508.
3. Campus Improvement Initiative: Monthly giving program ('Partners in Progress') funding current campus improvement projects including outdoor spaces for recreation, outdoor learning, and community wellness.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Academy for Science and Design is a tuition-free public charter school delivering a STEM-focused educational program for students in grades 5-12 from more than 30 New Hampshire communities. The program progresses from middle school exploration across science, mathematics, engineering, and design to high school specialization, anchored by a year-long Capstone Research Project, a 100+ hour professional internship, 150 hours of community service, and access to specialized facilities including the Laflotte Innovation Lab (VR/AI), Digital Media Studio, STEM Communication Auditorium, Experiential Robotics Platform, and Team Phoenix FRC robotics team.

Product overview

The Academy for Science and Design offers a unified STEM-focused educational program spanning grades 5-12, progressing from foundational exploration to advanced specialization. The program is architected around core components: a comprehensive STEM Curriculum with specialized tracks in engineering, computer science, life sciences, and mathematics; state-of-the-art facilities including the Laflotte Innovation Lab (featuring VR and AI tools), Digital Media Studio, and STEM Communication Auditorium; signature experiences including the year-long Capstone Research Project, Professional Internship Program, and Team Phoenix robotics competition team; and the STEM Ambassador Initiative for communication training. Students also access the Experiential Robotics Platform for hands-on programming education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STEM Curriculum (Grades 5-12) Comprehensive STEM-focused educational program for grades 5-12 progressing from foundational exploration in middle school to advanced research and specialization in high school, including hands-on coursework, industry partnerships, and real-world applications.
• Laflotte Innovation Lab Immersive learning and community outreach space featuring syGlass VR/AI visualization technology where students explore science, develop communication skills, and create educational content.
• Digital Media Studio State-of-the-art facility supporting the STEM Ambassador Initiative where students develop the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• STEM Communication Auditorium Dedicated performance and presentation space for students to practice and demonstrate STEM communication skills as part of the STEM Ambassador Initiative.
• Capstone Research Project Year-long independent research project that every graduate completes, defended before a panel of industry professionals, developing initiative, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
• Professional Internship Program 100+ hour professional internship program pairing students with industry partners (e.g., BAE Systems, BioFAB USA, ARMI, Pulsar Security) for real-world experience in their fields of interest.
• Team Phoenix (FRC Team 2342) Independent FIRST Robotics Competition team based at ASD with a dedicated workshop and practice field on campus, participating in high-level competitive robotics.
• Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) Affordable, small robot platform that teaches students real FRC programming skills using the same software and tools as full-sized competition robots; includes teacher training and 3D-printed kits distributed to other schools.
• STEM Ambassador Initiative School-wide program fusing technical mastery with effective communication for community engagement, preparing graduates to explain complex concepts, advocate for STEM, and translate technical knowledge into real-world impact.
• Digitalis Portable Planetarium Portable planetarium used for outreach programs, enabling ASD STEM Ambassadors to lead immersive astronomy experiences for younger students and community members (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Nashua).

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ARMIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced Regenerative Manufacturing institute partnership providing industry exposure and potential internship opportunities for students in biotechnology and biomedical fields.
• BAE SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defense contractor providing mentorship, internship opportunities, and real-world engineering experience for students.
• BioFAB USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting biotechnology and bio fabrication education and research experiences for students.
• David R. Craig & AssociatessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business providing mentorship, internship opportunities, and industry expertise.
• Digitalis EducationcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Digitalis portable planetarium for immersive astronomy education and outreach programs, including training for ASD STEM Ambassadors.
• Pulsar SecuritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybersecurity company providing expertise and mentorship in technology and security fields. CTO Duane Laflotte serves on Board of Trustees.
• syGlasscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of advanced visualization technology used in the Laflotte Innovation Lab for VR/AI learning experiences.
• Nashua Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner providing dual enrollment opportunities, campus visits, and pathway programs for students.
• Locus Robotics FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics company foundation supporting robotics education and providing resources for robotics programs.
• Seacoast Science CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine science education partner providing hands-on learning experiences and field trip opportunities in environmental science.
• Greater Nashua Chamber of CommercesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business organization supporting community connections and workforce development initiatives.
• New Hampshire Civil Air PatrolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace education partner supporting aviation and aerospace exploration programs.
• Team Phoenix (FRC Team 2342)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent FIRST Robotics team based at ASD with dedicated workshop and practice field on campus. Partnership reflects shared commitment to hands-on STEM education.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• High Tech High: San Diego-based public charter network built around project-based, hands-on STEM learning with industry-linked internships. Comparable to ASD in pedagogy (project-based, industry-integrated) and student-outcome orientation.
• Sturgis Charter Public School: Massachusetts public charter school with an IB curriculum and strong STEM pathway focus. Similar in being a STEM-intensive, outcomes-oriented public charter competing for the same New England STEM-college-prep family segment.
• North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM): Public residential STEM school and the founding member of NCSS (of which ASD is also a member). Directly comparable as a public STEM secondary institution in the same consortium.
• BASIS Charter Schools: National network of STEM-focused public charter schools serving grades K-12 with an outcomes-driven, college-prep curriculum. BASIS is the closest direct peer to ASD in mission, STEM intensity, and public-charter structure.
• Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA): Public residential STEM school for grades 10-12 in Illinois. Comparable to ASD as a specialized public STEM secondary school producing strong STEM-major outcomes and a national reputation.
• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology: Selective Virginia public magnet school consistently ranked among the top STEM schools in the U.S. Comparable to ASD as a public, mission-driven STEM secondary school with elite college placement, though selective rather than lottery-based.

Broad incumbents

• KIPP Massachusetts (and broader KIPP network): One of the largest U.S. public charter networks, with a Massachusetts presence drawing families from similar communities. Comparable as a public charter operator, though KIPP is a broad K-12 college-prep network rather than a STEM specialist.

Others

• EL Education (network): National network supporting project-based, expeditionary learning in public schools. Comparable as an enabling partner for the project-based, hands-on STEM pedagogy ASD uses, though EL Education is a curriculum/network provider rather than a school operator.

Emerging players

• Boston University Academy: Independent (private, tuition-charging) STEM-focused secondary school affiliated with Boston University. Comparable academic intensity and STEM outcomes, but operates on a private/fee model rather than ASD's public charter lottery model.

Regional players

• Seacoast School of Technology (and NH CTE/STEM programs): Regional NH-based secondary STEM/CTE program. Comparable in serving NH families seeking STEM pathways, but operates as a regional CTE program rather than a standalone STEM charter.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Academy for Science and Design