Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools

What Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools does

Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools is a free public charter school operating five campuses across the Bronx, New York, serving students in grades 6 through 12 with no tuition charged to families. The organization was first evidenced by its inaugural graduating class in 2018 and has since built a full 6-12 ladder with separate physical campuses for grade bands 6-7, 8, 9, 10-11, and 12. It is governed by a Board of Trustees under a charter agreement with New York State education authorities and led by Founder and CEO Colin Greene, with an Operations Director (Sanda Amarasinghe, ex-Success Academy) overseeing school systems.

The school's product portfolio is structured as a unified educational platform combining a core academic program (Amplify Science curriculum for middle school, College Board Pre-AP for high school social studies, Regents and AP preparation) with several integrated components: a STARS 5-level recognition and rewards program funded by the Atmosphere Foundation; the Explorers experiential learning program offering domestic and international travel (Bahamas, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Florida); a Career Pathways Program covering Business, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and The Arts; specialized services including Special Education (SETSS, ICT, 12:1:1), English Language Learner support, and a tiered Response to Intervention system; and enrichment modules such as Sailing (Hudson River Community Sailing, SUNY Maritime), Equestrian (Riverdale Stables), and an Island School program (Cape Eleuthera Institute). The school has no proprietary technology platform, no app, and no API; its digital surface consists of the atmosphere.org website, SchoolMint enrollment portal, and standard social media channels.

The business model is non-profit: per-pupil state and federal public funding is the primary revenue stream, supplemented by donations through the Atmosphere Foundation which funds enrichment (particularly travel). Enrollment is managed via a lottery-based system with an April 1 annual deadline and rolling admissions thereafter. Go-to-market is direct-to-family through open houses, NYC school fairs, summer workshops for grades 4-8, and the website, targeting prospective middle and high school families in the Bronx.

Name

Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools

Legal name

Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools

Website

https://atmosphere.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Atmosphere Academy is a free public charter school operating five campuses across the Bronx, New York, serving grades 6-12 through lottery-based enrollment, with a core academic program supplemented by international travel, sailing, equestrian, and career pathway enrichment funded by per-pupil public allocations and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)

Keywords

• Public charter schools
• Middle school education
• High school education
• College preparation
• Experiential learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: As a free public charter school, Atmosphere Academy operates as a non-profit educational institution funded primarily through per-pupil state and federal funding allocations. There is no tuition charged to families. The school also accepts donations through the Atmosphere Foundation to fund enrichment programs including international travel and experiential learning opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools is a free public charter middle and high school serving grades 6 through 12 in the Bronx, New York, across 5 campuses. It delivers rigorous college-preparatory academics alongside a portfolio of enrichment programs including international travel, equestrian, sailing, robotics, aviation, and entrepreneurship. The school also provides special education, English Language Learner, intervention (RTI), and social-emotional learning services to support diverse learners.

Product overview

Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools operates as a free public charter middle and high school (grades 6-12) with a unified but multi-component educational platform. The core academic program is supported by several integrated products: the STARS Program (a 5-level recognition system with apparel rewards, exclusive trips, and alumni scholarships), the Explorers Program (experiential travel incentives to domestic and international destinations), and the Career Exploration Program (real-world industry exposure). Specialized support products include Special Education services (SETSS, ICT, 12:1:1 settings), the ELL Program, and the Intervention/RTI Program. Enrichment modules include Sailing, Equestrian, and an Electives Program with diverse activities. The school operates 5 campuses across the Bronx (6th-7th, 8th, 9th, 10th-11th, and 12th grade), supported by Athletics, Social Emotional Learning, and Achievement/Test Preparation programs. No API, technical integrations, AI capabilities, or certifications are offered as this is an in-person educational institution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academics Program The core academic curriculum program intended to improve student skills, build content knowledge, develop critical and creative thinkers, and achieve mastery of standards. Scholars are placed on teams that provide appropriate settings based on their Individual Education Plan or academic profile.
• STARS Program A recognition and rewards program that encourages scholars to aim high through 5 achievement levels (Rising STARS, 1-3 STARS, SuperSTARS) based on academic honors and core value honors. Students earn apparel, exclusive trips, enrichment opportunities like Equestrian and sailing, and scholarship opportunities through the STARS alumni program.
• Explorers Program An experiential learning program that challenges students to explore the world through extracurricular activities. Students who accomplish academic and behavior goals can attempt difficult challenges and earn life-changing experiences including domestic trips (Florida) and international trips (Bahamas, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Italy, Japan).
• Career Exploration Program A Career Pathways Program that empowers scholars to engage in immersive real-world learning experiences with early exposure to college-level concepts and partnerships with industry professionals exploring careers in Business, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and The Arts.
• Special Education Program Special education support services offered through multiple settings including Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS), Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT), and Self-Contained Settings (12:1:1). Related services include speech and language therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, and physical therapy through NYCDOE partnerships.
• English Language Learner (ELL) Program Program supporting students whose primary language is not English, providing individualized instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and targeted language development. Services include co-teaching in core content classes and small group instruction focused on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
• Athletics Program Variety of sports offered throughout the academic year. Middle school modified level (grades 6-8) includes Volleyball, Flag Football, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field. High school varsity level (grades 9-12) adds Cross Country and Cheerleading, with plans for junior varsity development programs.
• Electives Program Wide selection of extracurricular activities including Ballet, Photography, Computer Coding, Robotics, Drama Theater, Art, Chess, Violin, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Voice, Hip Hop Dance, DJ & Music Production, European Handball, Basketball, Flag Football, and Success Lab offered at no cost during school hours.
• Sailing Program Enrichment program offered to STARS students in partnership with Hudson River Community Sailing. Students sail on the Hudson River in fall and build their own Optimist boat in spring, learning steering, sailing skills, and safety rules.
• Equestrian Program Ten-week enrichment program where students learn to groom, ride, and train horses with Riverdale Stables. Students train to ride, walk, gallop, trot, and guide horses both outside on the equestrian course and inside the stables.
• World Language Courses World language instruction in Spanish, French, and Mandarin, offering a mix of language acquisition and cultural awareness. Students prepare for the LOTE exam in junior year, contributing to the Advanced Regents diploma. Instruction includes traditional language methods, comprehensible input, and exposure to cultural traditions.
• Achievement Program Program equipping scholars with targeted strategies to improve performance on New York State and Regents exams. Grounded in data analysis, it helps students set goals and master both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions, with emphasis on Regents and AP test preparation.
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Schoolwide culture supporting social-emotional and academic development through Advisory Program and Restorative Justice Program. Middle school includes Advisory lessons focusing on adjustment, bullying discussions, and 21st Century skills. High school includes assemblies covering metacognition and meaningful discussions.
• Intervention Program Multi-tiered Response to Intervention (RTI) system where students receive tiered support based on need. Tier 1 includes embedded intervention in daily schedules, Tier 2 and 3 provide additional support identified through assessments and weekly RTI meetings with 6-10 week cycles.
• Summer Events Program Free summer workshops for students entering grades 4-8 and their families, including Summer Art Workshops with three sessions covering Discovering Science Through Art, Creative Art, and Clay Creations. Registration required with limited seats available.
• Island School Program Rewards trip to the Bahamas at Cape Eleuthera where students with top academic and core value honors earn a 9-day international trip. Students study marine biology, practice nature conservation, experiment with renewable energy, and develop leadership skills through the Cape Eleuthera Institute.

Quantifiable outcome

• Scholars graduate prepared for college, career, and life with scholarships available through Atmosphere Foundation for STARS alumni who return to mentor current students
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Westmoreland SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature education partner providing students opportunities to experience nature education programs and outdoor learning experiences.
• Fluent CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage and cultural education partner offering enrichment programs for students.
• Westchester Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education partner providing outdoor and environmental learning experiences.
• Riverdale StablescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquestrian program partner where STARS students learn to groom, ride, and train horses. Students train to ride, walk, gallop, trot, and guide horses over a 10-week program.
• Hudson River Community SailingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSailing program partner offering STARS students the opportunity to sail on the Hudson River and develop sailing expertise, culminating in a trip from Inwood to Midtown Manhattan.
• Cape Eleuthera InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Island School rewards trip to the Bahamas where students study marine biology, practice nature conservation, experiment with renewable energy, and develop leadership skills.
• Global Leadership AdventuresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes 10-day service trips to Costa Rica for 8th grade students focusing on wildlife conservation and environmental learning.
• Van Cortlandt Park AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor Adventure Team partner providing hiking and camping instruction for 9th grade students, including sessions at Van Cortlandt Park and trips to Taconic State Park.
• SUNY Maritime CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSailing program partner where students build submersible robots in winter and learn sailing skills at the college facility.
• Atmosphere FoundationcoreOthersThe school's fundraising arm that supports international travel programs and experiential learning opportunities for students. The foundation awards scholarships to STARS alumni who return to tutor and mentor current students.
• NYCDOE (Committee on Special Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYCDOE agencies to provide related services including speech and language therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, and physical therapy for students with IEPs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Uncommon Schools: Northeast-focused charter management organization operating multiple NYC and Newark schools serving grades K-12 with a rigorous college-prep model — a direct charter peer with overlapping demographics and outcomes orientation.
• Democracy Prep Public Schools: NYC charter network operating multiple campuses including in the Bronx, focused on college preparation through civic engagement — directly comparable in mission and geography.
• KIPP NYC: Major national charter network with a large NYC presence serving grades K-12 in the Bronx and other boroughs, focused on college preparation for underserved students — directly comparable mission and student population.
• Harlem Children's Zone: NYC nonprofit operating a cradle-to-career pipeline including charter schools in Harlem and surrounding areas — comparable as a non-school-district education provider with enrichment programming for underserved NYC students.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: The largest and most prominent NYC charter network, also serving grades K-12 with a college-prep focus. Directly comparable as a Bronx/NYC charter operator; Atmosphere's Operations Director previously worked at Success Academy.
• Achievement First: Northeast charter network with NYC presence, serving grades K-12 with extended school days and college-prep academics — directly comparable charter operator targeting similar demographics.
• Public Preparatory Network: NYC charter network operating elementary and middle schools focused on single-sex education in underserved communities — comparable as a smaller NYC charter operator serving similar student populations.
• International Leadership Charter High School: A Bronx-based charter high school serving grades 9-12 with a college-prep focus — directly comparable as a Bronx charter at the secondary level competing for similar families.

Regional players

• Mater Christi School: A Bronx-area private/parochial school option competing for middle school families who might otherwise consider Atmosphere — comparable as an alternative K-8 provider in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• New York City Department of Education: The traditional public school district that charters like Atmosphere operate alongside. The DOE is the largest incumbent competitor for students and per-pupil funding in NYC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@atmosphereacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/atmosphereacademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/atmosphereacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atmosphere-academy-public-charter-schools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools