Atlas Public Schools
Atlas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network in St. Louis, Missouri operating tuition-free PreK-5 schools with a co-teaching model and year-round calendar, serving 580+ St. Louis City families and expanding to a second campus and a PreK-8 model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSt. Louis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Atlas Public Schools does
Atlas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in Fall 2021 by Colby Heckendorn and Genevieve Backer. The network currently serves more than 580 tuition-free students across its flagship Atlas - Union Station campus at 400 S. 18th Street in the St. Louis Central Corridor, operating in grades PreK through 5 with a planned expansion to a full PreK-8 model by the 2028-29 school year. A second elementary campus, Atlas - Carondelet Park, is scheduled to open in Fall 2026 at 4070 Blow Street, and a middle school program beginning with 6th grade will launch in the 2026-27 school year, adding one grade annually thereafter.
The educational model rests on three structural pillars: a co-teaching design placing two adults in every PreK-5 classroom to enable flexible grouping and individualized instruction; a year-round academic calendar of seven approximately five-week sessions separated by two-week intersessions used for enrichment camps and teacher professional development; and a place-based learning approach that leverages St. Louis cultural and civic institutions for real-world student experiences. Curriculum is delivered through a combination of licensed programs rather than proprietary technology — CKLA and EL Education for English Language Arts, Bridges in Mathematics and Illustrative Mathematics for math, AppleTree's Every Child Ready for preschool, and MySci for science — alongside dedicated instruction in Spanish, visual and performing arts, physical education, and the QUEST gifted education program. Operational technology consists of standard K-12 tooling: PowerSchool for student records, SchoolAppSTL for unified charter admissions, School Dismissal Manager for pickup logistics, and MySchoolBucks for fee collection.
Atlas is funded primarily through per-pupil state, federal, and local tax dollars allocated via its Missouri charter authorization, supplemented by philanthropic grants from The Opportunity Trust, NewSchools Venture Fund, Charter School Growth Fund, and the Diverse Charter School Coalition, plus tuition for PreK seats not covered by free/reduced-lunch eligibility and sliding-scale fees for before/aftercare and intersession programming. Distribution is direct to St. Louis City families through lottery-based enrollment on the SchoolAppSTL platform, supported by community outreach, campus tours, and open houses. The organization is governed by an independent board of directors and operates with approximately 93 staff across teaching and administrative functions.
Atlas Public Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Atlas Public Schools
- Legal name
- Atlas Public Schools
- Website
- https://atlaspublic.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Atlas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network in St. Louis, Missouri operating tuition-free PreK-5 schools with a co-teaching model and year-round calendar, serving 580+ St. Louis City families and expanding to a second campus and a PreK-8 model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Atlas Public Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Charter School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)
Keywords
Where Atlas Public Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St. Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Atlas Public Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Per-Pupil State Funding: Public charter schools receive per-pupil funding from federal, state, and local tax dollars based on enrollment
- Grants and Philanthropic Support: Received grants from local and national incubators and philanthropic organizations to support operations and growth
- Tuition-Based PreK: Some PreK spots are tuition-based for families who do not qualify for free seats, based on family income
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free Public Education (K-6th) |
| Subscription | Annual | PreK - Free Tier |
| Subscription | Annual | PreK - Tuition-Based |
| Subscription | Monthly | Before Care |
| Subscription | Monthly | After Care (K-5th) |
| Subscription | Weekly | Intersession Programming K-5th |
| Subscription | Weekly | Intersession Programming PreK |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Atlas Public Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Atlas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network operating tuition-free PreK-8 schools in St. Louis, Missouri. It delivers whole-child education through a co-teaching model (two adults per classroom), a year-round calendar with intersession programming, evidence-based curricula across ELA, math, science, and early childhood, and before/aftercare and enrichment services. The network currently serves 580+ students at Atlas - Union Station and is expanding via a middle school program and a second campus (Atlas - Carondelet Park) opening Fall 2026.
Product overview
Atlas Public Schools operates a network of public charter schools in St. Louis, Missouri. The network includes Atlas - Union Station (flagship campus serving PreK-5), Atlas Middle School (6th-8th grade), and Atlas - Carondelet Park (elementary replication opening 2026). Educational programs feature a year-round calendar with seven academic sessions separated by intersession breaks, a co-teaching model with two adults per classroom, and before/aftercare services through partnership with Unleashing Potential. Curriculum offerings include CKLA and EL Education for English Language Arts, Bridges and Illustrative Mathematics for math, MySci for science, plus dedicated programs for World Language (Spanish), Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, and the QUEST Gifted Education Program for advanced learners. Enrichment programming includes intersession camps and field trips (called Expeditions) that connect classroom learning to community spaces.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Atlas - Union Station (Flagship Elementary Campus) Flagship K-5 charter school campus located at 400 S. 18th Street in St. Louis, serving 580+ PreK-5 students with co-teaching (two adults per classroom), year-round calendar with intersessions, place-based learning, and evidence-based curricula (CKLA, EL Education, Bridges, Illustrative Mathematics, MySci).
- Atlas Middle School Middle school program for grades 6-8 launching with 6th grade in 2026-27 and expanding one grade per year. Designed to prepare students for high school with critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills.
- Atlas - Carondelet Park (Second Elementary Campus) Second Atlas elementary campus opening Fall 2026 at 4070 Blow Street in St. Louis, initially serving PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten students. Will replicate the Union Station co-teaching and year-round calendar model, adding one grade level per year.
- Before and Aftercare Programming Wraparound childcare service provided through partnership with Unleashing Potential organization. Free before care runs 7:00-7:45am; aftercare runs 3:45-5:15pm (Atlas) or 3:45-6:00pm (Unleashing Potential) for K-5 students on a first-come basis.
- Intersession Programming Camp-like enrichment programs offered during two-week intersession breaks throughout the school year, on a sliding-scale fee basis. Exposes students to unique learning opportunities such as dance or science camp. Teachers engage in professional development during the first week of each intersession. K-5 pricing: $65/week standard, $50/week for Free/Reduced Lunch eligible. PreK pricing: $200/week standard, $100/week for eligible families.
- QUEST Gifted Education Program Specialized gifted education program meeting the unique academic, creative, and social-emotional needs of advanced learners through inquiry-based learning, authentic problem-solving, and meaningful intellectual challenges.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of families report Atlas fosters a welcoming environment
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Atlas Public Schools
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Atlas Public Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Atlas Public Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Diverse Charter School CoalitioncorePartnership with the Diverse Charter School Coalition, a network supporting diverse charter schools. Co-founder Genevieve was previously a fellow with this coalition.
- 4.0 Schools (4pt0)minorEducation-focused incubator supporting school founders and innovative educational models.
- Unleashing PotentialcorePartnership with Unleashing Potential organization to provide before and after school care programming on Atlas campus for Kindergarten through 5th grade students.
- AppleTree's Every Child ReadycoreCurriculum provider for Atlas's Early Childhood Program. The Every Child Ready curriculum prepares children for kindergarten by supporting social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and academic development.
- EL EducationcoreCurriculum provider for Atlas's content-based literacy program. EL Education's ELA Modules address Missouri ELA Learning Standards through compelling scientific, literary, and social studies topics.
- SchoolAppSTLcorePartnership with 12+ St. Louis charter schools to provide a unified application platform. Families can apply to multiple schools using one simple form, simplifying the admissions process.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Atlas Public Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- City Garden Montessori: St. Louis City public charter school serving elementary-aged students with a distinctive progressive model. Direct comparison point for Atlas given shared geography, shared SchoolAppSTL admissions, and shared mission of expanding high-quality public school options in St. Louis. Genevieve Backer was previously Principal-in-Residence here.
- Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls: St. Louis City single-gender public charter middle school with the same charter-authorizer regime and lottery-based enrollment via SchoolAppSTL. Directly comparable on funding model, regulatory exposure, and target student demographic.
- KIPP St. Louis: Multi-site charter school network serving K-12 in St. Louis City, applying a unified college-prep model across campuses. Closest structural analog to Atlas: same city, same per-pupil funding model, same lottery admissions ecosystem via SchoolAppSTL, and similar charter-authorizer constraints.
- Kairos Academies: St. Louis City charter school network operating under the same SchoolAppSTL common application platform and competing for the same family pool. Both organizations are early-to-mid stage charter operators building multi-grade models in St. Louis.
- Lift for Life Academy: Long-standing St. Louis public charter school network operating multiple grade levels within the city's charter ecosystem. Comparable on per-pupil funding model, geographic concentration, and reliance on charter-authorizer relationships.
Broad incumbents
- National Heritage Academies: Charter management organization operating public charter schools across multiple states under a centralized service model. Comparable to Atlas on centralized operations support, reliance on per-pupil funding, and multi-site charter growth strategy.
- IDEA Public Schools: One of the largest U.S. public charter school networks operating a multi-state K-12 college-prep model. Comparable to Atlas on per-pupil funding dependence, talent-development emphasis, and large-scale replication strategy.
- BASIS Charter Schools: National charter network known for rigorous, STEM-emphasis K-12 model with strong academic outcomes. Comparable to Atlas on curriculum rigor orientation, multi-campus replication, and reliance on lottery admission where demand exceeds capacity.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: Large New York City-based charter network recognized for rigorous instruction and aggressive expansion. Comparable to Atlas on enrollment-via-lottery, year-round/co-teaching-adjacent academic-intensity branding, and the strategic use of standardized curriculum.
- KIPP: National charter management organization operating 200+ schools across multiple states, including KIPP St. Louis. Broad incumbent parallel to Atlas: similar college-prep mission, multi-site replication playbook, and reliance on NewSchools/CSGF-style philanthropy. Useful benchmark for unit economics and replication cadence.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Atlas Public Schools social profiles
Digital presenceAtlas Public Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Atlas Public Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Atlas Public Schools subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Atlas Public Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Atlas Public Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Atlas Public Schools
What does Atlas Public Schools do?
Atlas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network operating tuition-free PreK-8 schools in St. Louis, Missouri. It delivers whole-child education through a co-teaching model (two adults per classroom), a year-round calendar with intersession programming, evidence-based curricula across ELA, math, science, and early childhood, and before/aftercare and enrichment services. The network currently serves 580+ students at Atlas - Union Station and is expanding via a middle school program and a second campus (Atlas - Carondelet Park) opening Fall 2026.
Is Atlas Public Schools a public or private company?
Atlas Public Schools is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Atlas Public Schools founded?
Atlas Public Schools was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Atlas Public Schools based?
Atlas Public Schools is headquartered in St. Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Atlas Public Schools make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Per-Pupil State Funding is the primary driver. The others are grants and Philanthropic Support and tuition-Based PreK.
Who are Atlas Public Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are City Garden Montessori, Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls, KIPP St. Louis, Kairos Academies and Lift for Life Academy. Broad incumbents are National Heritage Academies, IDEA Public Schools, BASIS Charter Schools, Success Academy Charter Schools and KIPP.
Does Atlas Public Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Atlas Public Schools.
What industry is Atlas Public Schools in?
Atlas Public Schools's product category is K-12 Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAC, Charter School Networks (Multi-Site). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.