The Rise School of Austin

What The Rise School of Austin does

The Rise School of Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NAEYC-accredited preschool operating from a single facility at 4800 Manor Road, Building J, Austin, Texas. Founded on August 18, 2003, following a 2002 affiliation agreement with the University of Texas, the school delivers inclusive early childhood education for children aged 12 months through Pre-K. Approximately 50% of enrolled students have developmental delays or disabilities (including Down Syndrome) and 50% are typically developing peers, who learn together in ten classrooms at a 4:1 student-teacher ratio. Each classroom is staffed by a three-teacher team — a master's-level lead teacher, a teacher, and a teaching assistant — supported by licensed speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists whose services are integrated into the daily classroom routine rather than delivered as separate pull-out sessions.

The curriculum combines Handwriting without Tears, Zoo-Phonics, Creative Curriculum, and the Conscious Discipline social-emotional framework, with individualized learning plans updated on twelve-week reporting cycles and over 30 hours of annual professional development for faculty. Operations are delivered directly to families via a single-site enrollment model: prospective families apply through Brightwheel with a $60 fee, complete a playdate assessment, and receive spring decisions for the following school year (August-June, 11 months). Monthly tuition is $1,731 (regular) or $1,385 (sibling-discount), plus an optional aftercare program (REP) at $490 per month.

The revenue model combines recurring tuition covering approximately 50-60% of operating costs with donations and event-based fundraising covering the remaining 40-50%. Fundraising channels include three annual events — Shine for Rise gala, Heart & Soul luncheon, and Dan Burck Memorial Golf Tournament — recurring participation in the Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M) charity event (which has raised over $14 million for children's charities since 2013), corporate partnerships (American Campus Communities), planned giving, AmazonSmile, and community grants. Need-based financial assistance is processed through School & Student Services (SSS), with payments handled via Affinipay.

Name

The Rise School of Austin

Legal name

The Rise School of Austin

Website

https://riseschoolaustin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Rise School of Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NAEYC-accredited inclusive preschool serving children 12 months through Pre-K in Austin, Texas, with a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, master's-level lead teachers, and integrated speech, occupational, physical, and music therapies. Approximately 50% of students have developmental delays and 50% are typically developing peers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Inclusive Preschools (Special Needs Integrated) (EDACABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA), Nursery School Programs (2–4 Years) (EDACACAB)

Keywords

• Inclusive early childhood education
• Preschool education services
• Developmental therapy services
• Early childhood program
• Special education preschool

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Monthly tuition payments from families covering approximately 50-60% of operational costs. Tuition rates are $1,731/month for regular enrollment and $1,385/month with sibling discount for the 2026-2027 school year (August-June, 11 months). Aftercare is $490/month regular or $441/month sibling discount. Annual enrollment fee is $440 per student.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate matching gifts, and event fundraisers cover approximately 40-50% of operational costs since the school is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and does not receive government funding.
3. Annual Fundraising Events: Three major annual fundraising events: Shine for Rise gala, Heart & Soul luncheon, and Dan Burck Memorial Golf Tournament, plus participation in Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M) charity event.
4. Financial Assistance Processing: Need-based financial assistance is provided through donor support and fundraising, with applications processed through School & Student Services (SSS) third-party platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Rise School of Austin is a NAEYC-accredited, nonprofit inclusive preschool program serving children 12 months through Pre-K at a single Austin, Texas campus. Its core service combines early childhood classroom education with integrated speech, occupational, physical, and music therapies delivered within the same classroom by a three-teacher team led by a master's-level lead teacher. The Rise Enrichment Program (REP) extends the school day with aftercare from 2:30-5:30 PM.

Product overview

The Rise School of Austin is a NAEYC-accredited nonprofit inclusive early childhood education program serving children 12 months to Pre-K. The core product is the inclusive preschool program featuring a unique co-teaching model with master's-level lead teachers, a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, and integrated therapy services (speech, occupational, physical, and music therapy). The program is enhanced by the Rise Enrichment Program (REP) aftercare service and the Junior Board leadership program. The school operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with tuition covering approximately 50-60% of costs, supplemented by fundraising events including the annual Shine for Rise gala, Dan Burck Memorial Golf Tournament, and MJ&M partnership. Curriculum components include Conscious Discipline, Handwriting without Tears, Zoo-Phonics, and Creative Curriculum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program NAEYC-accredited inclusive preschool program serving children 12 months to Pre-K. Features a co-teaching model with a master's-level lead teacher, teacher, and teaching assistant in every classroom, a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, research-based curriculum, and integrated therapies for families in the Austin metropolitan area.
• Rise Enrichment Program (REP) Aftercare Aftercare program for currently enrolled Rise families, operating 2:30-5:30 PM. Includes library time, crafts, playground time, and indoor play in the Little Longhorn Lab sensory gym. Led by qualified teaching assistants trained in Conscious Discipline. Requires $100 additional enrollment fee and monthly tuition of $490 regular / $441 sibling discount.
• Speech Therapy Licensed speech therapy services integrated into the classroom environment, providing developmentally appropriate language stimulation, expressive and receptive language support, cognitive development, augmentative communication, articulation, fluency, social skills, and feeding/oral placement assessment and treatment.
• Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy services using meaningful activities to help children participate in daily living. Addresses fine motor skills, visual motor coordination, bilateral coordination, pre-writing and handwriting skills, self-care skills, and sensory regulation.
• Physical Therapy Physical therapy services including assessment of mobility needs, gross motor development monitoring, and consultation for mobility equipment. Sessions are conducted in the Little Longhorn Lab sensory gym.
• Music Therapy Credentialed music therapist provides creative and engaging music-based activities for all children. Addresses fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and social/emotional self-regulation and development.
• Need-Based Financial Assistance Need-based scholarships reducing monthly tuition for qualifying families, funded by donor support. Applications are submitted through School & Student Services (SSS) with a $60 processing fee and require income and tax verification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of a child’s brain development occurs before age five, making early intervention critical for lifelong outcomes.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship, core and featured.

• CureDuchenneminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018One of the beneficiary organizations of the Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M) event alongside The Rise School of Austin, focused on children’s education, health, and wellness.
• Dell Children’s Medical CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Beneficiary of MJ&M 2018 event supporting children’s health alongside The Rise School of Austin.
• HeartGiftminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Beneficiary of MJ&M 2018 event focused on children’s health and wellness alongside The Rise School of Austin.
• just keep livin FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Beneficiary of MJ&M 2018 event supporting children’s education, health, and wellness alongside The Rise School of Austin.
• Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013MJ&M is the joint fundraising effort of Matthew McConaughey, Jack Ingram, and Mack Brown. The Rise School of Austin is a selected beneficiary of this annual two-day Austin event featuring gala, golf tournament, fashion show, and concert. Since 2013, MJ&M has given over $14 million to children’s charities, with Rise receiving funds to support inclusive early childhood education programs.
• The University of TexascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002In 2002, The University of Texas approved an affiliation agreement that became the first step in making Rise a reality for families in the Austin community. This partnership provided credibility and respect for the program. With support of UT and Sally and Mack Brown, The Rise School of Austin opened its doors on August 18, 2003.
• American Campus Communities (ACC)featuredGTM or Marketing PartnerACC is the nation’s largest developer, owner, and manager of high-quality student housing communities. ACC is an incredible supporter of The Rise School of Austin, providing support similar to their commitment to fostering safety and community for students in their properties.
• VELAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVELA is an Austin-based social service organization. Affiliations with VELA connect parents with providers and resources that help families of children with developmental delays thrive.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Brightwheel: SaaS provider of the enrollment, billing, and family communication platform that Rise Austin uses for admissions and tuition. Included as a key technology enabler in Rise's operating stack rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Primrose Schools: Large national franchised preschool and early education operator with hundreds of locations across the U.S., competing for the same premium-tier family segment with a broader but less inclusion-specialized curriculum.
• Guidepost Montessori: National Montessori-focused preschool and elementary network operating across multiple U.S. markets with credentialed teachers and proprietary curriculum, competing for higher-income Austin families seeking premium early childhood programs.
• KIPP Texas: Large Texas-based nonprofit public charter school network serving predominantly low-income students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Comparable in nonprofit mission orientation and Texas footprint, though broader in grade span and lower-income in target demographic.

Direct peers

• Rise School at The University of Alabama: The original 1974 Rise School founded by Coach Gene Stallings at The University of Alabama, which serves as the template for all other Rise Schools including Austin. Direct network peer and historical source of the operating model.
• Rise School of Dallas: Another Rise Schools network campus serving the Dallas area with the same NAEYC-aligned inclusion model, master's-level teachers, and integrated therapy services — making it a near-identical peer in a different Texas market.
• Rise School of Houston: Sibling campus within the seven-school Rise Schools national network, operating the same inclusive preschool model for children with and without developmental delays in the Houston metro. Directly comparable mission, staffing model, and tuition structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/riseschoolatx
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZT0r0PBr93cU9qdap5A5gQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/riseschoolaustin
• Instagraminstagram.com/riseatx

Compliance1 record

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 The Rise School of Austin