What McKeel Academy of Technology does

McKeel Academy of Technology (MAT) is a public charter school serving grades 7 through 12 in Lakeland, Florida, operating as part of The Schools of McKeel Academy (TSMA), a four-school charter system that also includes McKeel Academy Central (MAC), South McKeel Academy (SMA), and McKeel Academy Mulberry (MAM). The system was founded in 1998 and serves approximately 3,750 students across its four campuses, with 70 or more staff members including teachers, counselors, administrators, and support personnel. MAT's core technology is a technology-integrated curriculum built around digital design, computer science, robotics, and media production, delivered alongside a standard college-preparatory core and supported by the McKeel Canvas learning management system.

Academically, MAT offers 22+ Advanced Placement courses spanning sciences, humanities, mathematics, computer science, world languages, and arts, supplemented by vocational certifications (Certified Nursing Assistant and Electrocardiograph Technician) and dual-enrollment college-credit partnerships (notably with Southeastern University). Specialized academies include the Digital Imagery Academy (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects), a multi-tier Robotics program (Robotics I-V with a capstone and six FIRST Tech Challenge teams), and a Computer Science and Cybersecurity track including AP Cybersecurity. The school also runs a Senior Internship Program coordinated by a dedicated staff member, and over 40 extracurricular clubs and activities spanning academic competition, honor societies, performing arts, athletics, and career-technical student organizations such as HOSA and FBLA.

As a public charter school, MAT operates a tuition-free model funded by state and federal per-pupil charter allocations through The Schools of McKeel Academy system. Students are admitted via a centralized Controlled Open Enrollment process hosted at systems.mckeelschools.com, positioning MAT as a "choice school" within the charter ecosystem. Cross-campus back-office functions - transportation, food service (Wildcat Café), health services, information technology, and the McKeel Canvas LMS - are centralized at the TSMA level, creating shared-services economics across the system. There are no venture capital or private equity investors; the institution is governed as a non-profit educational entity subject to Florida charter school regulations.

Name

McKeel Academy of Technology

Legal name

The Schools of McKeel Academy

Website

https://mckeelacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Public charter school in Lakeland, Florida, serving grades 7-12 as part of The Schools of McKeel Academy system (four schools, 3,750 students). Offers 22+ AP courses, vocational certifications, dual enrollment, and specialized programs in robotics, digital design, and medical careers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• Secondary education programs
• Advanced placement courses
• College preparatory education
• Vocational certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

LAKELAND, Florida

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. Public Charter School Funding: As a public charter school, McKeel Academy of Technology is funded through state and federal education funding rather than tuition. Operating as part of The Schools of McKeel Academy system, a high performing charter school system consisting of four schools (MAT, MAC, SMA, MAM).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

McKeel Academy of Technology is a public charter school serving grades 7-12 in Lakeland, Florida, providing tuition-free secondary education with a technology-integrated curriculum. Its offerings include 22+ Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment college credit programs, vocational certifications (CNA and EKG Technician), and specialized academies in Digital Imagery, Robotics, and Computer Science/Cybersecurity, supported by Canvas LMS and over 40 extracurricular activities.

Product overview

McKeel Academy of Technology is a charter school system offering a comprehensive educational portfolio for grades 7-12. The core educational programs include Advanced Placement (AP) courses across 20+ subjects, vocational certifications (CNA, EKG Technician), and dual enrollment options. Specialized academies include the Digital Imagery Academy (Adobe software training), Robotics Program (Robotics I-V with FIRST Tech Challenge teams), and Computer Science/Cybersecurity programs. The school also offers an extensive extracurricular program with over 40 clubs including academic competitions, honor societies, performing arts, and career-focused organizations. The institution positions technology integration as a core differentiator in its educational approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• McKeel Academy of Technology Educational Programs A comprehensive charter school educational program serving grades 7th-12th, offering Advanced Placement courses, vocational certifications, dual enrollment, and specialized academy programs including Digital Design and Medical Academy.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses College-level courses available to high school students including AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Cybersecurity, AP English Language and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art, AP US Government, AP US History, AP World History, AP Capstone, and AP Music Theory.
• Vocational Certification Programs Career-focused certification programs including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician, preparing students for healthcare industry entry.
• Dual Enrollment Program College credit-earning program allowing eligible students to take university-level courses while in high school, with partnerships with local colleges for PERT-based placement.
• Robotics Program (Robotics I-V) Comprehensive robotics education program covering Foundations of Robotics, Robotic Design Essentials, Robotic Systems, Robotics Application Capstone, and Principles of Engineering, with FIRST Tech Challenge competitive teams.
• Computer Science & Cybersecurity Programs Technology-focused courses including AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Cybersecurity, Foundations of Programming, and Foundations of Robotics, with tech clubs including Girls Who Code, Coding Club, and Game Dev Club.
• Digital Imagery Academy / Digital Design Program Media creation program teaching students Adobe software skills including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and HJeDesign for creating digital media content and yearbook design.
• Senior Internship Program Senior Internship Coordinator program providing work-based learning opportunities for students to gain professional experience before graduation.
• Extracurricular Activities Program Over 40 extracurricular clubs and activities including academic competitions (A Team, Math Counts), honor societies (National Honor Society, National Jr. Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta), performing arts (Band, Chorus, Drama Club), athletics (various sports), and specialized clubs (Robotics, HOSA, FBLA, Key Club).

Quantifiable outcome

• High-performing charter school designation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McKeel Academy Central (MAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of The Schools of McKeel Academy charter school system. MAT and MAC share administrative resources, technology systems (McKeel Canvas LMS, McKeel Mail), transportation, food service, and health services under the unified TSMA governance.
• South McKeel Academy (SMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of The Schools of McKeel Academy charter school system sharing centralized services including transportation, food service (Wildcat Café), health services, and information technology under unified TSMA administration.
• McKeel Academy Mulberry (MAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of The Schools of McKeel Academy charter school system sharing centralized services including transportation, food service (Wildcat Café), health services, and information technology under unified TSMA administration.
• Canvas LMScoreTechnology or IntegrationMcKeel Canvas is the learning management system used across all Schools of McKeel Academy for online learning, assignments, course content, and student communication.
• Southeastern UniversityminorOthersDual enrollment partnership allowing students to earn college credit through courses that may be offered in partnership with Southeastern University and other institutions.
• National Highway Safety AdministrationminorOthersOnline Driver's Education course provider for students to complete driver's education through the school's counseling resources.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Somerset Academies: Somerset Academies is a Florida-based charter school network serving grades K-12 with a college-prep focus. Direct geographic and model peer — same state regulatory environment, similar size, comparable student demographic.
• BASIS Charter Schools: BASIS Charter Schools is a high-performing K-12 charter network emphasizing STEM rigor, AP coursework, and college preparation. Highly comparable to McKeel in academic positioning and tech-integration focus, though BASIS operates a broader multi-state footprint.
• Pinecrest Academy Charter Schools: Pinecrest Academy is a Florida-based charter network with multiple campuses emphasizing college preparation and STEM. Directly comparable Florida charter operator with similar size and academic positioning.
• Mater Academy Charter Schools: Mater Academy operates a large network of Florida charter schools with emphasis on technology integration, AP courses, and career academies. Comparable to McKeel in Florida charter context, CTE programs, and tech-forward curriculum.
• Renaissance Charter School Network: Renaissance Charter Schools operates multiple Florida charter campuses serving K-12 students with a college-preparatory focus. Comparable Florida-based charter operator of similar scale.

Others

• IDEA Public Schools: IDEA Public Schools is a large multi-state charter network with strong AP and college-prep outcomes. Broader incumbent in the high-performing charter category, comparable in academic rigor and dual enrollment emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Charter Schools USA: Charter Schools USA is a major charter management organization operating schools across multiple states, including Florida. Functions as an enabling/management peer that supports charter operations rather than competing directly with McKeel's school model.
• KIPP Public Schools: KIPP is one of the largest U.S. charter networks with a college-prep mission. Broader incumbent comparable in mission and CTE/academic rigor emphasis, but KIPP operates at far greater scale nationally and lacks McKeel's specialized technology-CTE niche.

Regional players

• Florida Virtual School (FLVS): Florida Virtual School is a Florida statewide online public school offering AP and dual enrollment courses. Regional peer serving overlapping student segments (Florida grades 7-12) through a different (online) delivery model — competitive for students seeking flexibility.
• Polk County Public Schools (district): Polk County Public Schools is the local district competitor for the same student population in Lakeland/Mulberry. Regional player with overlapping grade range; McKeel competes for families choosing charter over district enrollment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/mckeel-academy-of-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 McKeel Academy of Technology