St. Michael's Country Day School

What St. Michael's Country Day School does

St. Michael's Country Day School is an independent, nondenominational, coeducational day school founded in 1938 in Newport, Rhode Island. It serves approximately 250 students from toddler (age 2) through eighth grade, organized into three divisions: Early Childhood (Toddler-PreK), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8). The school delivers a core academic curriculum complemented by Spanish language instruction across all grades, an Innovation Lab maker program, visual arts, music, drama, creative writing, athletics, and a Learning Support Program for students with diagnosed learning differences. Specialty experiential offerings include a fourth-grade sailing partnership with Sail Newport, a seventh-grade regen-agriculture collaboration with Ocean Hour Farm, and a Secondary School Placement advisory that claims 100% graduate placement to secondary schools of choice.

The school operates on a subscription tuition model with three pricing tiers ($20,085 for Early Childhood, $31,150 for K-4, and $35,535 for 5-8 in 2024-25), and a Flexible Tuition program administered through Clarity which serves approximately 40% of families with income-based rates starting at $2,600. Active military families receive a 50% discount (K-8) or 25% (Preschool/PreK), and tiered enrollment is processed through Blackbaud. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: a Director of Enrollment drives structured admissions with February 15 application deadlines and March 1 decisions, augmented by open houses, community education series, and summer camps (Summer Fun Camp and TASM). The technology stack is built on third-party SaaS (Blackbaud, Finalsite, Clarity, Epic!, Pebble Go) with no proprietary platform or AI component. Auxiliary revenue includes Extended School Day ($5/day) and summer programming, with charitable giving managed through a Director of Development role.

Name

St. Michael's Country Day School

Legal name

St. Michael's Country Day School

Website

https://smcds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Michael's Country Day School is an independent, coeducational day school founded in 1938 in Newport, Rhode Island, serving approximately 250 students from toddler through eighth grade with a tiered tuition model and flexible financial aid options.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-8 Private Day School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA), Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers (EDACAHAB)

Keywords

• Private day school
• Independent education
• Early childhood education
• Middle school program
• Preschool education

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: The primary revenue stream is tuition payments from families. Tuition varies by grade level: Toddler/Preschool/PreK ($20,085 for 2024-25), Kindergarten-Grade 4 ($31,150), and Grade 5-8 ($35,535). The school also offers flexible tuition based on family financial circumstances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

St. Michael's Country Day School is an independent, nondenominational, coeducational day school that provides full-time education for approximately 250 students from toddler (age 2) through 8th grade across three divisions: Early Childhood (Toddler-PreK), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8). The school delivers a core academic curriculum supplemented by Spanish language instruction, arts (drama, music, visual arts, creative writing), an Innovation Lab makerspace, athletics, and a 4th grade sailing program with Sail Newport, and also operates summer camp programs (Summer Fun Camp and Theatre at St. Michael's Camp).

Product overview

St. Michael's Country Day School is an independent day school serving approximately 250 students from toddler (age 2) through 8th grade. The school offers a comprehensive educational program structured in three divisions: Early Childhood (Toddler-PreK), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8). Core academic programs include traditional subjects enhanced by specialty programs such as Spanish language instruction (starting at age 2), Innovation Lab (maker education), Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Creative Writing. The school provides supportive services including a Learning Support Program for students with learning differences, Health & Wellness curriculum, Extended School Day (aftercare), and a Secondary School Placement program for 8th graders. Athletics are required for middle school students. The school operates two summer programs: Summer Fun Camp (general enrichment) and Theatre at St. Michael's Camp (TASM). The campus features a 7-acre setting with an in-ground swimming pool, playscapes, sports fields, and a theater. The school uses Blackbaud as its primary technology platform for admissions and parent portals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program (Toddler - Prekindergarten) Full-day early childhood education program for children from age 2 through Prekindergarten, focusing on play-based learning, social-emotional development, family engagement, joy and wonder, and developmental milestones.
• Lower School Program (Kindergarten - Grade 4) Core academic program for kindergarten through 4th grade covering math, reading, writing, spelling, and thematic studies, with enrichment through Spanish, music, drama, physical education, innovation lab, and mindfulness.
• Middle School Program (Grades 5-8) Middle school program for grades 5-8 preparing students for high school with rigorous academics complemented by arts, STEM, and language classes, with increasingly project-based learning.
• Extended School Day (ESD) After-school program from 3-5:30 PM offering free play, structured activities, homework support for middle schoolers, and optional fee-based enrichment classes at $5 per day.
• Summer Fun Camp Seven-week summer day camp for ages 3-12 offering sports, art, enrichment, and day camps with activities including chess, LEGO robotics, soccer, science, swimming, and crafts.
• Theatre at St. Michael's Camp (TASM) Summer theater program for young performing artists ages 9-17 featuring original musical productions, Shakespeare camps, and technical theater training.
• Secondary School Placement Program Advisory program supporting 8th grade students and families through the transition to high school, including SSAT preparation, school fairs, and secondary school applications, contributing to the school's 100% placement rate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates gain admission to secondary schools of their choice
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sail NewportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sail Newport for 4th grade sailing program where students receive weekly sailing lessons, integrating academics with real-world skills and Newport's coastal environment.
• Ocean Hour FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner7th graders partner with Ocean Hour Farm, a center for education, scientific research, and regenerative agricultural practices. Students study topography and natural systems, and built a topographic map for the farm in the Innovation Lab.
• Martin Luther King CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partner where students support food drives, clothing drives, and Christmas present collections. 3rd grade students donate to the MLK Center Food Bank from their community garden harvest.
• Lucy's HearthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partner for student volunteer activities and support.
• Potter LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for animal shelter support. Students raise money and collect donations. Student Council funded a plaque at the new Potter League Animal Shelter.
• St. Jude Children's Research HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents participate in Math-A-Thon fundraiser for St. Jude's Hospital.
• Heifer ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partner for international development education through the Heifer Project.
• Ronald McDonald HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partner during holiday season for Christmas present collections.
• ClaritycoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party platform used for financial analysis in the Flexible Tuition application process. The Clarity Application determines family financial need based on assets, income, expenses, and debts.
• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or IntegrationSchool management platform used for parent portal, calendar, applications, and enrollment management.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pennfield School: Independent day school in Portsmouth, RI (immediately adjacent to Newport) serving preschool through grade 8. Direct geographic competitor for Aquidneck Island families with a similar age span and tuition band.
• The Wheeler School: Independent, nondenominational day school in Providence, RI serving toddlers through grade 12. Comparable in mission, tuition tier, and program breadth, and a direct competitor for Providence-area families in the same Newport/Providence catchment.
• Gordon School: Independent, coeducational day school in East Providence, RI serving nursery through grade 8. Direct K-8 peer with a comparable progressive educational philosophy and similar tuition band, located within driving distance of Newport.
• Moses Brown School: Independent, nondenominational, coeducational day school in Providence, RI serving nursery through grade 12. Closest geographic and structural peer to St. Michael's, with similar Quaker-influenced values, flexible tuition, and a documented alumni overlap.
• Lincoln School: Independent, nonsectarian, coeducational day school in Providence, RI serving ages 3 through grade 12. Direct regional competitor for Providence-metro families at the same premium tuition tier.

Regional players

• Bay View Academy: Independent Catholic school in Riverside, RI serving toddlers through grade 8. Regional peer with overlapping age range and tuition band, offering a faith-based alternative for Providence-area families.
• Shore Country Day School: Independent day school in Beverly, MA serving preschool through grade 9. Comparable New England coastal independent day school with similar mission, age range, and tuition tier.
• St. George's School: Independent boarding and day school in Middletown, RI (Newport County) serving grades 9-12. Geographic peer that absorbs SMS graduates (documented alumni placements) and competes for the same Aquidneck Island families at the secondary level.
• Tockwotton on the Common / North Kingstown: Independent day schools in the Rhode Island/South Coast Massachusetts region serving the same age range. Comparable independent day schools competing for the same coastal New England family demographic.

Broad incumbents

• The Fenn School: Independent day school in Concord, MA serving grades 4-9. Established New England independent day school benchmark with a longer-established boys-program heritage and broader program footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stmichaelscountrydayschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/stmichaelscountryday

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 St. Michael's Country Day School