Manchester Community Schools

What Manchester Community Schools does

Manchester Community Schools is a public K-12 school district headquartered in Manchester, Michigan, serving students and families in southwestern Washtenaw County approximately 20 miles southwest of Ann Arbor. The district operates four school facilities: Luther C. Klager Elementary School (K-5), Riverside Intermediate School (grades 3-6), Manchester Junior & Senior High School (grades 7-12), and the Manchester Early Childhood Center (MECC) for infants through pre-K. It is governed by a Board of Education with elected trustees and is led by Superintendent Steven Head and CFO Shannon Cajic. Academic programming spans core content areas, art, physical education, vocal and instrumental music, business and technology courses, career technical opportunities, foreign languages, Advanced Placement courses, athletics, and a broad extracurricular slate.

The district's core technology stack includes a district-wide 1:1 Chromebook program for K-12 students, Google Workspace for Education (Gmail, Drive, Docs/Sheets/Slides), PowerSchool for student information and grading, RevTrak for online payments, Nutrislice and Meal Magic for food service management, FMX for facilities scheduling, BoardDocs for governance, Red Rover K-12 for applicant tracking, and OK2SAY for student safety reporting. The Foxbright CMS powers the district website. Supplemental services include Special Education (in coordination with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District), Multi-Lingual Learning (Title III programming with materials in 13 languages), Transportation, Food Service (outsourced to Chartwells/Compass Group), and the Manchester Wellness Center (community fitness facility in partnership with 5 Healthy Towns).

As a government entity, Manchester Community Schools is funded through Michigan state per-pupil allocations, federal categorical grants (Title I, Title III, IDEA), and local property tax revenues, with capital supplemented by the 2023 community-approved bond for facility improvements at Klager Elementary and the Athletic Complex. Tuition is not charged for standard K-12 enrollment; ancillary revenue is generated through a $25 Chromebook device insurance program, MECC tuition-based early childhood programs (with free GSRP for qualifying 4-year-olds), and Wellness Center memberships. The district maintains a separate non-profit foundation (Manchester Community Schools Foundation) that channels donations and planned giving into teacher grants, classroom technology, and specialty programs.

Name

Manchester Community Schools

Legal name

Manchester Community School District

Website

https://manchesterschools.us

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Manchester Community Schools is a Michigan public K-12 school district operating four schools in southwestern Washtenaw County, serving students from early childhood through grade 12 with core academics, special education, multi-lingual learning, athletics, and a district-wide 1:1 Chromebook program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• Early childhood education
• Special education services
• School food service
• Student transportation

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: As a public school district, Manchester Community Schools is primarily funded through Michigan state per-pupil funding, federal grants and programs (Title I, Title III, IDEA), and local property tax revenues. The district also receives funding through state categorical programs including special education funding.
2. 2023 Bond Levy: The district passed a 2023 bond measure to fund facility improvements at Luther C. Klager Elementary and the Athletic Complex, providing capital funding for infrastructure upgrades.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Manchester Community Schools is a Michigan public K-12 school district that delivers free comprehensive K-12 public education to resident students across four campuses (elementary, intermediate, junior/senior high, and an early childhood center). Its core offerings include core academic instruction, Advanced Placement and career technical courses, special education and multi-lingual learning support, athletics and extracurricular activities, food service, transportation, and a 1:1 Chromebook technology program, with tuition-based early childhood programs and community wellness services layered on top.

Product overview

Manchester Community Schools is a K-12 public school district in Southwestern Washtenaw County, Michigan, operating as a unified educational platform comprising four schools: Luther C. Klager Elementary (K-5), Riverside Intermediate School (3-6), Manchester Junior & Senior High School (7-12), and the Manchester Early Childhood Center. The district supplements core academic programs with specialized services including Special Education, Multi-Lingual Learning (Title 3/WIDA), Food Service (via Chartwells with meal management through Meal Magic and Nutrislice), Transportation, and Athletics. Technology infrastructure includes a 1:1 Chromebook program, the MCS Technology department website, and digital citizenship resources. The district also operates the Manchester Wellness Center as a community resource and maintains student information management through PowerSchool, online payments via RevTrak, and board governance through BoardDocs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Manchester Junior & Senior High School: High school and junior high school serving students in grades 7-12, located at 20500 Dutch Dr., Manchester, MI 48158
• Riverside Intermediate School
• Luther C. Klager Elementary School
• Manchester Early Childhood Center (MECC)
• Manchester Wellness Center
• Manchester Community Schools Foundation

Products and services

• K-12 Academic Programs Comprehensive K-12 public education programs delivered across the district's four campuses, covering core academics (math, science, English language arts, social studies), art, physical education, vocal and instrumental music, business and technology courses, career technical opportunities, athletics, foreign languages, and Advanced Placement courses. Served to K-12 students and families residing in the Manchester Community School District.
• Manchester Early Childhood Center (MECC) Early childhood education center for infants, toddlers, and preschool children, offering Junior Preschool Programs, the Polliwog Program, and the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) which provides free preschool for qualifying 4-year-olds who turn 4 before December 1. Located inside Luther C. Klager Elementary School.
• Luther C. Klager Elementary School Elementary school serving students in grades K-5, implementing The Leader in Me program and providing GSRP preschool, Young 5's, and kindergarten programs. Located at 405 Ann Arbor St., Manchester, MI 48158, and houses the Manchester Early Childhood Center (MECC).
• Riverside Intermediate School Intermediate school serving students in grades 3-6, providing instruction across core content areas, guidance and counseling services, and social-emotional development. Located at 710 E. Main St., Manchester, MI 48158, with a daily start time of 8:07 a.m.
• Manchester Junior & Senior High School Combined junior and senior high school offering grades 7-12 with Advanced Placement courses, career technical education opportunities, athletics, and a broad array of extracurricular activities. Located at 20500 Dutch Dr., Manchester, MI 48158, with a full day starting at 8:00 a.m.
• Food Service Program School nutrition program providing breakfast and lunch services to all enrolled students. Operated in partnership with Chartwells (Compass Group), with online account deposits through Meal Magic and digital menus via Nutrislice. Currently all Michigan students qualify for one free breakfast and one free lunch.
• Transportation Services Student transportation services via school buses, managed by Transportation Supervisor Joe Prestia, with published bus route information and family-facing contact channels.
• Special Education Services Comprehensive special education services for students with disabilities, providing evaluations across suspected areas of disability, IEP development, and inclusive education support. Services span a continuum from general classroom placements with accommodations to full-day county-based programs through Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD).
• Multi-Lingual Learning Program English language learning support program for students whose home language is not English, using the WIDA screener for identification and providing collaborative push-in support and small-group instruction. Includes a Title 3 Welcome Book translated into 13 languages (Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Arabic, Albanian, Bosnian, Swahili, Vietnamese, Nepali, Burmese, Karen, and Kinyarwanda).
• Athletics Program Interscholastic athletics and youth sports program including boys and girls basketball, youth football (Manchester Youth Football), soccer (Manchester Soccer Association), baseball/softball (Manchester Area Youth Sports), and youth cheerleading (Manchester Youth Cheer). Youth programs serve students in grades K-6.
• 1:1 Chromebook Program District-wide 1:1 technology initiative providing every K-12 student with a district Chromebook for use in classrooms and at home. Includes a required device insurance program ($25 per device for 2025-2026, with financial waivers available), acceptable use policies, and a digital citizenship curriculum covering social media safety, online footprint awareness, and responsible device use.
• Manchester Wellness Center Community fitness and wellness facility offering personal training, group exercise classes, and strength and cardio equipment. Operated as part of the 5 Healthy Towns initiative. Memberships available, including Silver Sneakers programs.
• Weekend Kid Meals Program Weekend food security program operated in partnership with Manchester's Community Resource Center. Qualified registered students receive a bag of food containing two each of breakfast items, lunch items, and snacks.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Manchester Community Schools FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA non-profit foundation established to enhance educational opportunities for children in grades K-12. The foundation provides tax-deductible donation and planned giving options, and acts as a pass-through to the school community. Fundraising supports mini grants for individual teachers, technology and software for classrooms, and specialty programs beyond normal district funding.
• Chartwells (Compass Group)coreTechnology or IntegrationChartwells provides food service management for Manchester Community Schools. The district posts job openings with Chartwells at Compass Group Careers using ZIP code 48158. Food service operations are managed through Chartwells including meal preparation and delivery across all school facilities.
• Manchester Community Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district partners with the Manchester Community Resource Center for the Weekend Kid Meals program. Registered, qualified students receive a bag of food with two each of breakfast items, lunch items, and snacks. Enrollment forms available online and at schools.
• Manchester Soccer AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides recreational and travel soccer programs for Manchester area youth. MSA's mission is to provide a framework for parent volunteers to create, coach, and participate in soccer teams, fostering sportsmanship and teamwork.
• Manchester Area Youth Sports (MAYS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides baseball and softball programs for Manchester area players ages 4-14. Enrollment roster is approximately 280 kids. Teams participate in the Cascade Area Youth League and Cascade Conference.
• Manchester Youth FootballminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized football program for children grades K-6 within the Manchester Community School District. Teaches fundamentals of football, sportsmanship, discipline, and team play. Associated with high school and middle school coaching staff.
• Manchester Youth CheerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheerleading program for students in grades K-5. Develops fundamentals of cheerleading and encourages participation in team sports. Goals include achievement, leadership skills, and positive self-image.
• 5 Healthy Towns (Manchester Wellness Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManchester Wellness Center is part of the 5 Healthy Towns initiative, supporting total wellness, health, and fitness for the community. The center provides a facility, professional staff, and programs in a supportive environment. Membership pricing available including Silver Sneakers programs.
• Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district participates in WISD programs including county-based special education services and PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) for special education. WISD provides compliance guidance and resources for special education programs including Guidelines for Determination of Specific Learning Disabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Saline Area Schools: Adjacent Washtenaw County public K-12 district serving a similar southwestern catchment; competes with Manchester for School of Choice enrollment and offers a comparable AP, athletics, and CTE portfolio at a slightly larger scale.
• Chelsea School District: Neighboring Washtenaw County public K-12 district of comparable size and rural-suburban character, with overlapping School of Choice catchment and similar program mix. Directly comparable as a regional competitor for the same family demographic.
• Dexter Community Schools: Nearby Washtenaw County public K-12 district of similar small-town character with overlapping enrollment boundaries and equivalent academic and extracurricular programming, making it a directly comparable peer for family-choice decisions.

Broad incumbents

• Ann Arbor Public Schools: The dominant public K-12 district in Washtenaw County, offering a much broader portfolio of AP, IB, world languages, and specialized programming. Functions as the primary destination for School of Choice outflow from Manchester's catchment.

Regional players

• Ypsilanti Community Schools: Washtenaw County public K-12 district operating under a state-appointed structure with comparable reliance on Title I and at-risk funding. Provides a useful reference point for how a similar-sized district navigates demographic and fiscal pressure.
• Grass Lake Community Schools: Small Jackson County public K-12 district east of Manchester with a similar rural-suburban profile, single high school, and comparable reliance on athletics and community identity. Useful peer for enrollment and funding-base benchmarking.
• Stockbridge Community Schools: Small rural Ingham County public K-12 district operating a combined K-12 footprint similar to Manchester's, with comparable scale, athletics emphasis, and dependence on state per-pupil funding.
• Clinton Community Schools: Small Lenawee County public K-12 district southwest of Manchester with similar district size, single high school structure, and comparable community-supported funding model — a useful regional scale comparator.
• Milan Area Schools: Small public K-12 district adjacent to the Manchester area in neighboring Monroe and Washtenaw counties. Operates a similar scaled K-12 academic and athletic program and competes in the same regional labor and family-attraction market.
• Columbia School District: Small Jackson County public K-12 district serving Brooklyn and surrounding rural townships; comparable in size and operating model to Manchester and useful for benchmarking enrollment, facility, and community-partnership approaches.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@manchestercommunityschools7909/streams
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100063649355430
• Xx.com/manchester_mcs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Manchester Community Schools