University of Chicago Charter School

What University of Chicago Charter School does

University of Chicago Charter School (UCCS) is a public charter school operating three campuses within the Chicago Public Schools district: Donoghue and North Kenwood Oakland (NKO) serving grades PreK-5, and UCW Woodlawn serving grades 6-12. Founded in 1998 and affiliated with the University of Chicago (which holds Board seats), the school enrolls approximately 1,500 preK-12 students on Chicago's South Side with 160 full-time staff. Its core product is a continuous PreK-12 "superhighway" model that allows students to progress without re-application, supported by the RISE values framework and a dedicated college persistence office at the high school level.

The organization operates a conventional K-12 technology stack: PowerSchool SIS for student records, SchoolMint for enrollment (PreK-8 and 10-12) and GoCPS for 9th-grade applications, Google Workspace and Classroom for productivity and LMS, Microsoft Office 365, Tableau for achievement analytics, ADP for HR/payroll, and FACTS for fee processing. Instructional tools include NWEA MAP, Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) for diagnostics, supplemented by learning platforms such as Reading Eggs, Lalilo, DreamBox, Zearn, HMH Into Reading, and the AI-powered Amira Learning oral reading tutor. Parent communication runs through ClassDojo.

UCCS is funded primarily through Illinois per-pupil state and local public education funding routed via Chicago Public Schools, supplemented by fee-based aftercare (PreK-8), non-refundable enrollment fees, donor contributions, and categorical grants. Enrollment is non-selective via a lottery, with priorities for siblings and attendance-boundary proximity. The organization's stated mission is 100% college acceptance and graduation for its graduates, evidenced by the UCW Class of 2025 securing over $58 million in cumulative scholarships. Governance is provided by a 5-member corporate Board and 13-member Advisory Council.

Name

University of Chicago Charter School

Legal name

University of Chicago Charter School CORP

Website

https://uchicagocharter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

University of Chicago Charter School operates three public charter campuses serving approximately 1,500 PreK-12 students on Chicago's South Side, affiliated with the University of Chicago through a PreK-12 college-preparation "superhighway" model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• K-12 charter school education
• Public charter schooling
• PreK-12 superhighway model
• College preparatory education
• Elementary secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: Public charter school operating within Chicago Public Schools district. Funded through public education funding mechanisms. Fee-based aftercare available for grades PreK-8. Non-refundable school fees charged upon enrollment acceptance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UChicago Charter School provides tuition-free public charter school education across three campuses on Chicago's South Side, delivering a continuous PreK-12 academic pathway anchored in rigorous instruction, culturally responsive curriculum, and college preparation. The school supplements classroom instruction with diagnostic assessments, an extended-school-day aftercare program for PreK-8, and a dedicated UCW College Graduation Office that supports college applications and persistence through an alumni network.

Product overview

The University of Chicago Charter School is a public charter school operating three campuses as a unified PreK-12 educational superhighway: Donoghue Campus (PreK-5), North Kenwood Oakland Campus (PreK-5), and UCW Woodlawn Campus (grades 6-12). The school provides a comprehensive educational program supplemented by technology platforms including PowerSchool for student information management, SchoolMint for enrollment, and Google Classroom for learning management. Key programs include the RISE student development framework and the UCW College Graduation Office. Students receive instruction through various educational technology tools including NWEA MAP assessments, state-mandated IAR/ISA testing, and digital learning platforms. The school operates from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (3:40 p.m. at UCW), with early dismissal at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISE: The school's core values program: RISE – it is what the school asks of students, parents, and staff every day. A belief that together they can accomplish more than apart.

Products and services

• Donoghue Campus (PreK-5 Elementary School) Tuition-free public elementary campus serving grades PreK-5 at 707 E 37th Street, Chicago, IL 60653, offering full-day pre-kindergarten, a science laboratory, dance/drum/painting/music instruction by professional artists, extended school hours from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday classes, and summer school programs for South Side Chicago students admitted via non-selective lottery.
• North Kenwood Oakland (NKO) Campus (PreK-5 Elementary School) Tuition-free public elementary campus serving grades PreK-5 at 1119 E 46th Street, Chicago, IL 60653, with a whole-child approach focused on self-control, teamwork, integrity, commitment, and kindness, and the goal of teaching every student to become an independent reader by grade 3.
• UCW Woodlawn Campus (Grades 6-12 Combined Middle and High School) Tuition-free public combined middle and high school campus serving grades 6-12 at 6300 S University Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, with AP coursework, a senior thesis program, and a dedicated College Graduation Office and alumni network supporting college acceptance and persistence.
• Aftercare Program (PreK-8) Fee-based aftercare program available for grades PreK-8 across UChicago Charter School, extending the school day to 6:00 p.m. for families needing supervised care beyond regular school hours.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration28 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Academy GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting UChicago Charter's range of rigorous academic and robust enrichment experiences for students.
• Reva and David Logan Center for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Chicago arts center providing cultural enrichment and performing arts opportunities. Students perform at the Logan Center including theatre productions.
• The University of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding university partner providing academic resources, leadership on Board of Directors, and institutional credibility. University leaders sit on the Board of Directors.
• After School MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based program providing after-school and summer enrichment opportunities for teenagers, supporting the school's extended learning offerings.
• New Community OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization in Bronzeville that hosts annual Back-to-School Fun Fair, providing community engagement and resource connections for UChicago Charter families.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UCCharterSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCCharterSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-chicago-charter-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 University of Chicago Charter School