Chatfield School

What Chatfield School does

Chatfield School is a K-8 public charter school academy founded in 1997 and located at 231 Lake Drive in Lapeer, Michigan. It is authorized by Saginaw Valley State University, which appoints its board of directors, and is operationally managed by Teacher's First Non-Profit Management Corporation, which employs all staff. The school is tuition-free and serves families in the Lapeer area through an annual lottery-based enrollment system, with a stated workforce of approximately 40 employees spanning classroom teachers, support staff, counselors, social workers, reading/math specialists, and administrators.

The school's academic product combines a standards-based K-8 core curriculum with enrichment areas (fine arts, physical education, foreign language starting in kindergarten, STEM with VEX robotics), academic support tiers (RTI, AARI, Math Squared, Title One), and a middle-school One-to-One laptop program using Google Apps for Education. Its differentiated asset is The Willows Ecology Education Center, a 10-acre nature campus housing Michigan's first commercial straw bale building with a living roof, passive solar heating, trombe walls, and solar tubes, which supports experiential ecology programming, field studies, service learning, and extended trips.

The revenue model is primarily per-pupil state foundation allowance as a public school academy, supplemented by federal National School Meal Program reimbursements, modest child care fees ($6/hr), athletic participation fees, and grants/donations channeled through the Partners in Education (P.I.E.) parent organization and a public donation portal. The school holds recognitions including Michigan Green Schools, Character.org Schools of Character, National Forum of Schools to Watch, and U.S. News & World Report rankings for both elementary and middle school, and ranks in the top 10% of Michigan's 290 charter schools.

Name

Chatfield School

Legal name

Chatfield School

Website

https://chatfieldschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chatfield School is a tuition-free K-8 public charter school in Lapeer, Michigan, authorized by Saginaw Valley State University and serving local families through a lottery-based enrollment system with experiential ecology and STEM programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 Public Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI)

Keywords

• K-8 public education
• Charter school academy
• Experiential learning
• Ecology education
• Outdoor classroom programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lapeer

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school academy, Chatfield receives per-pupil state funding based on student enrollment. The school participates in the National and State School Meal Program.
2. Grants and Donations: The school depends on generous support of benefactors, grants, and savings to expand and grow school facilities and programs. P.I.E. (Partners in Education) parent organization provides classroom funds for field trips and supplies.
3. Child Care Fees: Before and after school child care program charges $6 per hour with minimum $6 fee per day. Registration fee of $40 per student or $60 per family.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chatfield School is a K-8 public charter school academy that delivers standards-based core academics combined with experiential, place-based learning through programs such as The Willows Ecology Education Center, an outdoor classroom, field studies, and service learning. The school provides enrichment in fine arts, foreign language, physical education, and STEM, alongside child care, athletics, counseling, and academic support services for families in Lapeer, Michigan.

Product overview

Chatfield School is a K-8 public charter school (Public School Academy) authorized by Saginaw Valley State University. The school offers a comprehensive educational program combining rigorous academics with experiential learning. Core offerings include the K-8 Academic Program with enrichment subjects (Fine Arts, Physical Education, Foreign Language, STEM), the Willows Ecology Center for hands-on environmental education, and extensive experiential programs including Field Studies, Service Learning, and an Outdoor Classroom. The school operates a One to One Technology Initiative at the middle school level and provides Support Services including Academic Support, Counseling, Child Care, Athletics, and Clubs. The Willows Ecology Center, located on a ten-acre site, is housed in Michigan's first commercial straw bale building featuring sustainable design elements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Academic Program (K-8) Comprehensive K-8 educational program covering Early Elementary (Kindergarten-Grade 2), Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5), and Middle School (Grades 6-8) with standards-based curriculum and differentiated instruction for enrolled students.
• Enrichment Programs Enrichment offerings including Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Theater/Drama, Dance), Physical Education, Foreign Language (online French, Chinese, Latin, and Spanish starting in kindergarten), Library services, and a Virtual Academy.
• STEM Curriculum Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math curriculum featuring VEX IQ Robotics, VEX Competition Robotics, dissection, animal health, World in Motion Engineering, computer programming, and advanced mathematics with hands-on experiential learning.
• Academic Support Services Multi-tiered academic support including differentiated instruction with teaching assistants, tutoring, Response to Intervention (RTI), Adolescent Accelerated Reading Initiative (AARI), Math Squared intervention, and Title One services.
• Child Care Program Before and after school child care for elementary and middle school students operating from 6:30 am until school begins and after school until 6:00 pm, with a separate Middle School After School Group for grades 6-8, at $6 per hour with $40 per student or $60 per family registration fee.
• Athletics Program Middle school athletic offerings including Athletic Clubs, Youth Basketball, Basketball, Archery, Middle School Cross Country, Track and Field, Wrestling, Football, and Volleyball through cooperative agreements with local school districts.
• Clubs and Organizations Extracurricular activities including Middle School Robotics, After School Dance, Biodiversity Club, Bee Club, Jam Band, Student Council, National Junior Honors Society, and Youth Yoga.
• The Willows Ecology Center Ten-acre community nature center offering experiential ecology education with programs including flint and steel fires, swamp life studies, mud oven cooking, canoe trips, copper culture, Native American studies, habitat restoration, and snowshoeing, housed in Michigan's first commercial straw bale building.
• Outdoor Classroom Experiential outdoor learning integrated across the curriculum featuring activities such as mapping and orienteering, fire building, wild edible plants identification, watershed studies, blacksmithing, maple syrup production, bee keeping, Native American studies, teambuilding, and wildlife biology.
• Field Studies Program Extended travel field studies including overnight camping at Camp Lael, Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula, Pure Michigan trips to Soo Locks and Mackinac Island, and annual Washington DC trips with service learning projects.
• Service Learning Program Community service program enabling students to identify needs, study issues, and take action, building empathy, commitment, and life skills through hands-on involvement.
• One to One Technology Initiative Middle school one-to-one laptop program providing each student with a personal technology device for 21st century learning with Google Apps for Education integration and digital citizenship training.
• Counseling Services Array of counseling services including small group counseling, classroom-based counseling, individual counseling, and character education through the Smart Character Choices program based on Internal Control Psychology.
• Partners in Education (P.I.E.) Parent partnership organization fostering collaboration between parents and school, providing classroom funding for field trips and supplies, supporting larger campus projects, and organizing fundraising through corporate programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked in top 10% of 290 Michigan charter schools
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Saginaw Valley State UniversitycoreOthersSVSU serves as the authorizer for Chatfield School's public school academy charter. The university appoints board members to three-year terms and provides oversight of the school's educational programs and operations.
• Teacher's First Non-Profit Management CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeacher's First is the non-profit management corporation that employs all staff at Chatfield School. The organization has contracted with the Chatfield School Board to employ, train, and supervise staff. They provide payroll services and human resources management.
• Flint River Watershed CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for canoe trips on Farmers Creek and South Branch of the Flint River. Collaborates on river cleanup events and watershed education programs at The Willows Ecology Center.
• Lapeer RotaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting watershed programs and environmental education initiatives at The Willows.
• Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesminorOthersPartner for canoe access and outdoor education programs, providing support for nature-based learning experiences.
• Mott Community CollegeminorOthersLocal community college partnership providing educational resources and potential pathway opportunities for students.
• Lapeer County Intermediate School District (LCISD)majorOthersProvides special education services and county-wide program coordination. Chatfield participates in the LCISD plan for delivery of special education programs and services.
• Genesee Intermediate School DistrictminorOthersRegional educational service provider partnership for specialized programs and services.
• Lapeer Family LiteracyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing tutoring support in the school building, offering literacy services to students.
• Wild Lapeer (Earth Day Celebration)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree public festival partnership with local non-profits celebrating Earth Day at Chatfield School and Prairies and Ponds at Oakdale nature park.
• Davis Brothers FarmfestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lapeer County Historical Society for free public festival celebrating local farm history.
• Lapeer Art AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on youth art programs including summer art camp opportunities for students.
• MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association)minorOthersAthletic association governing middle school sports competitions. Chatfield participates in cooperative athletic programs with Lapeer Community Schools.
• Camp LaelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth and fifth grade students attend week-long outdoor learning experience at Camp Lael on Skinner Lake with overnight camping.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Imagine Schools: National charter management organization operating K-12 charter schools with a similar public-school-academy model; comparable in operating-leveraged structure, university authorizer contracts, and per-pupil funding dependency.
• Green Dot Public Schools: Multi-state charter network operating K-12 public charter schools with a college-prep orientation; relevant peer for outcome-focused charter management and scalable school operations.
• National Heritage Academies: Grand Rapids, MI-based charter management organization operating K-8 and K-12 public charter academies across Michigan and other states; closely comparable business model of public school academies authorized by universities with per-pupil funding and managed staffing entities.
• BASIS Charter Schools: High-performing national charter network recognized for academic excellence and STEM focus; directly comparable positioning to Chatfield's top-percentile academic ranking and rigorous K-8 curriculum.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: High-performing New York K-12 charter school network with strong academic outcomes, technology integration, and branded curriculum; relevant comparison for outcome-driven charter positioning and STEM/arts enrichment at scale.

Broad incumbents

• Charter Schools USA: Florida-based charter management organization operating K-12 public charter schools through management contracts; broader incumbent comparison for outsourced charter operations and multi-state platform model.
• KIPP: Largest U.S. charter network operating K-12 public charter schools nationwide; broader incumbent comparison for scaled charter operations and branding, though KIPP's network scale exceeds Chatfield's single-site footprint.

Others

• Leona Group: Michigan-based charter management organization providing educational services and staffing to public school academies; relevant as an enabling/management-organization peer given Chatfield's use of Teacher's First Non-Profit Management Corporation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chatfield-school

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Chatfield School