Ascension Academy

What Ascension Academy does

Ascension Academy is an independent, nonprofit, college-preparatory school serving approximately 140 students in grades 5 through 12 on a 41-acre campus in Amarillo, Texas, operating since 2000. The school delivers a four-pillar program (Scholar, Artist, Athlete, Leader) anchored by a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, average class size of 10, and 36 faculty (24 full-time, 12 part-time) of whom 23 hold advanced degrees. Academic offerings include AP courses, the AP Capstone Diploma program, dual-credit pathways leading to associate degrees through Amarillo College, and an Automatic Admission Agreement with West Texas A&M University. The school holds SAIS accreditation and NAIS membership, was admitted to the Cum Laude Society in 2020 (one of 382 schools worldwide), and reports a 100% college acceptance rate with an average SAT score of 1233 for the Class of 2025.

The school's revenue model is dominated by tuition: $14,750 for domestic grades 5-12 in 2026-2027, $30,000 for international students (including homestay), and $8,000 for the new Montessori Preschool opening 2026-2027. A Customized Tuition program provides sliding-scale aid ranging from $7,000 to $14,750, currently supporting 49% of enrolled families; application and enrollment fees add $100 and $1,000 per student respectively. Distribution is direct-to-family through a dedicated Director of Admission & Financial Aid who runs outreach, Preview Nights, family tours, and an online application portal; the international track operates separately with I-20 issuance for F-1 visa students. Texas Education Freedom Account participation through Odyssey (effective December 2025) introduces a state-funded payment channel.

The technology foundation is modest: a Finalsite content management system powers the public website (translated into 100+ languages) and admissions portal. There are no proprietary software products, no AI/ML capabilities, and no public API or developer integrations. Operational scale is small and stable, with named leadership including Head of School Tim Oditt (joined summer 2020), Dean of Academics Elisa Johnson (since 2000), and Fine Arts Chair Eleonora Lopez (since 2000). The most significant forward strategic move is the Montessori Preschool launch, which extends the academic offering downward into ages 3-5 and creates a feeder pipeline into the existing 5-12 program.

Name

Ascension Academy

Legal name

Ascension Academy

Website

https://ascensionacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ascension Academy is an independent, nonprofit, college-preparatory school in Amarillo, Texas, serving approximately 140 students in grades 5-12 through a 5:1 student-teacher ratio, AP and dual-credit curricula, and a four-pillar Scholar-Artist-Athlete-Leader program, with a Montessori Preschool expansion launching in 2026-2027.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amarillo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Domestic Student Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition payments for grades 5-12. Tuition ranges from $7,000-$14,750 based on Customized Tuition financial assessment. Full tuition is $14,750 for 2026-2027 school year.
2. International Student Tuition: International students pay $30,000 annually including homestay costs, plus $1,000 enrollment fee. Requires minimum 2 consecutive years of high school enrollment.
3. Montessori Preschool Tuition: Preschool program for ages 3-5 charges $8,000 annual tuition with $500 enrollment fee, opening 2026-2027 school year.
4. Application and Enrollment Fees: One-time application fee of $100 and enrollment fee of $1,000 per student.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ascension Academy is an independent, nonprofit, college-preparatory school serving students in grades 5-12 on a 41-acre campus in Amarillo, Texas, with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio. Its core offering is a four-pillar (Scholar, Artist, Athlete, Leader) curriculum that combines a rigorous academic program (including AP Capstone, dual-credit courses through Amarillo College, and an Associate degree pathway), competitive athletics (TAPPS/WTCAA), fine arts (Choir, Orchestra, Studio Art, Theater, Wind Ensemble), and student life/clubs. The school is expanding in 2026-2027 with a Montessori Preschool program for ages 3-5.

Product overview

Ascension Academy is an independent, college-preparatory school offering education for students grades 5-12, with a new Montessori Preschool program launching in 2026-2027 for children ages 3-5. The school provides a comprehensive academic program built on four pillars: Scholars, Artists, Athletes, and Leaders. Core offerings include the College Preparatory Program with AP, Dual-Credit, and College Prep courses; AP Capstone Diploma Program; Associate Degree Program through Amarillo College; Athletic Programs competing in TAPPS and WTCAA; Fine Arts Programs in music, theater, and visual arts; and various Clubs & Organizations. The institution operates across academic departments (English, Math, Science, History, World Languages, Technology, Fine Arts, Religion) with a focus on college readiness and character development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ascension Academy Montessori Preschool: Montessori preschool program for children ages 3-5, opening for the 2026-2027 school year, operated as the 'Fledglings' or 'Little Cardinals'

Products and services

• College Preparatory Program (Grades 5-12) Independent college-preparatory education for students grades 5-12 delivering rigorous academics, fine arts, athletics, and leadership development on a faith-affirming campus in Amarillo, TX. Built on four pillars (Scholar, Artist, Athlete, Leader), it serves families in the Texas Panhandle seeking individualized instruction with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio and a 100% college acceptance rate.
• Montessori Preschool (Ages 3-5) Montessori education program for children ages 3-5 launching for the 2026-2027 school year. A child-centered approach encouraging independence, curiosity, and lifelong learning through hands-on exploration and individualized instruction, led by certified Montessori educators in a dedicated building on Ascension's campus. Tuition is $8,000 annually plus a $500 enrollment fee.
• AP Capstone Diploma Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 1233 average SAT score for Class of 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Odyssey (Certified Education Assistance Organization)minorOthers · 9 December 2025State-selected CEAO administering Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program under Texas Comptroller oversight. Parents use Odyssey portal to manage ESA accounts for eligible expenses including tuition.
• Amarillo CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual credit partnership enabling students to earn college credits through courses taught on Ascension campus. Programs include General Studies, Liberal Arts, and STEM associate degrees. Students can take dual credit courses including Spanish, English/Composition, Biology, College Algebra, Speech, Government, and World Civilizations.
• West Texas A&M University (WTAMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomatic Admission Agreement allowing qualified Ascension graduates streamlined admission to WTAMU. Students can participate in WTAMU's community bands and orchestras.
• TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthletic conference for high school competition. Ascension's high school teams compete in TAPPS 2A division across sports including cross country, track, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, bowling, and volleyball.
• WTCAA (West Texas Christian Athletic Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiddle school athletic conference for West Texas private and parochial schools. Ascension's middle school teams compete in WTCAA for cross country, track, basketball, and other sports.
• Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)minorOthersRegional accreditation association for independent schools. Ascension is SAIS-accredited, indicating compliance with standards for curriculum, faculty, and operations.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)minorOthersNational membership organization representing independent schools. Ascension is a member of NAIS.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Hockaday School: Elite independent PK-12 college-prep school in Dallas, Texas, with strong AP offerings and college placement track record. Comparable in Niche A+ ranking, college outcomes, and Texas independent school competitive tier.
• TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas: Independent college-preparatory school in San Antonio serving grades 6-12 with a similar faith-affirming, four-pillar (academics, arts, athletics, leadership) model. Directly comparable in mission, tuition tier, and academic positioning to Ascension Academy.
• Casady School: Independent PK-12 college-prep school in Oklahoma City with Episcopal affiliation and emphasis on individualized attention. Comparable mid-sized independent school serving a similar regional, value-driven family segment.
• Holland Hall School: Independent PK-12 school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Episcopal heritage and rigorous college-preparatory academics. Same feeder geography (regional Texas/Oklahoma) and comparable tuition and family demographic.
• All Saints' Episcopal School: Independent college-prep school in Fort Worth serving PK-12 with a values-based, faith-affirming environment. Comparable model in college-prep academics, fine arts, and athletics across the same Texas market.
• Trinity Valley School: Independent PK-12 college-preparatory school in Fort Worth emphasizing small classes, individualized instruction, and four-pillar development. Highly comparable operating model and tuition tier to Ascension Academy.
• Greenhill School: Independent PK-12 school in Addison, Texas, with a strong college-prep curriculum, AP offerings, and emphasis on scholar-artist-athlete-leader development. Comparable academic positioning in the Texas independent school market.
• St. Andrew's Episcopal School: Independent PK-12 college-preparatory school in Austin, Texas, with Episcopal affiliation and rigorous academics. Comparable in faith-affirming, college-prep model targeting similar Texas family demographics.
• Cistercian Preparatory School: Independent boys' school in Irving, Texas, serving grades 5-12 with rigorous college-prep curriculum and faith-based tradition. Closely comparable grade split, college-prep mission, and Texas market positioning.
• The Kinkaid School: Premier independent PK-12 school in Houston, Texas, with strong college-prep academics, AP Capstone, and a four-pillar philosophy. Comparable in Cum Laude Society membership and academic outcomes though much larger in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com//@ascensionacademycollegepre9236
• Facebookfacebook.com/AscensionAcademyAmarillo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ascension-academy
• Instagraminstagram.com/ascensionacademy/?hl=en&__coig_restricted=1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Ascension Academy