Community Roots Charter School
Community Roots Charter School is a 501(c)(3) K-8 public charter school in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, serving 474 students across two campuses with an anti-bias, inclusive education model and free per-pupil-funded tuition supplemented by private donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Community Roots Charter School does
Community Roots Charter School (CRCS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit K-8 public charter school founded in 2006 by Allison Keil and Sara Stone in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The school operates across two campuses — an Elementary School (K-5) at 51 Saint Edwards Street and a Middle School (6-8) at 101 Park Avenue — serving 474 students in the 2026-2027 enrollment period, with 72 employees. CRCS is differentiated by a 'Diverse by Design' admissions model that weights its lottery so at least 40% of incoming kindergartners come from surrounding public housing (Ingersoll, Walt Whitman, and Farragut Houses), combined with an anti-bias education framework, an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) model in every classroom, and a permanent Outdoor Kindergarten Program that spends roughly half of each week in Fort Greene Park.
The school's core products are its educational programs: an Outdoor Kindergarten (Forest School), Elementary (K-5) with Illustrative Math and FOSS Science curricula, a Middle School (6-8) program integrating Humanities with social-justice emphasis and Spanish instruction, a free comprehensive After School program, and an Inclusive Education program supporting students with IEPs and multilingual learners. Underlying pedagogy combines Universal Design for Learning, Crew/advisory structures, restorative practices, and project-based learning. There is no proprietary technology platform; CRCS relies on PowerSchool for enrollment and standard K-12 tooling.
CRCS is funded primarily through NYC Department of Education per-pupil allocations tied to enrollment, supplemented by tax-deductible private donations (501(c)(3) status, Tax ID 20-4274276) and peer-to-peer fundraising events. Tuition is not charged — the school is free to NYC public school-eligible families. Go-to-market is a lottery-based enrollment process administered through PowerSchool, with prospective families recruited via group tours, the school's website, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter), the NYC Charter Schools consortium listing, and the Diverse Charter Schools Consortium. Customer segments are NYC K-8 students and families, with explicit outreach to public-housing residents and to students with varied learning needs.
Community Roots Charter School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Community Roots Charter School
- Legal name
- Community Roots Charter School
- Website
- https://communityroots.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Community Roots Charter School is a 501(c)(3) K-8 public charter school in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, serving 474 students across two campuses with an anti-bias, inclusive education model and free per-pupil-funded tuition supplemented by private donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Community Roots Charter School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-8 Public Charter School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)
Keywords
Where Community Roots Charter School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Community Roots Charter School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Per-Pupil Funding: As a NYC public charter school, CRCS receives per-pupil funding from the New York City Department of Education based on enrollment. This is the primary funding source.
- Private Donations and Grants: CRCS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that accepts tax-deductible donations. The school runs fundraising campaigns with a $300,000 goal for FY2026. They participate in events like the NYC Half Marathon and TD Five Boro Bike Tour for fundraising. Tax ID: 20-4274276.
- After School Program Fees (Third-Party Providers): While CRCS provides free afterschool programming for all students, the school partners with community-based organizations (Bridge Skate School, Brooklyn Music School, Hoops, Futbol Rebels, etc.) that offer fee-based extended programming. These are not affiliated with CRCS directly.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | K-8 Public Education |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Community Roots Charter School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Roots Charter School operates a free K-8 public charter school serving 474 students across two Brooklyn campuses, delivering Common Core-aligned elementary and middle school instruction, a permanent Outdoor Kindergarten (Forest School) program, comprehensive free afterschool programming, and an Inclusive Education program using Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Enrollment is governed by a weighted NYC public school lottery that reserves at least 40% of incoming kindergartners for residents of surrounding public housing. The school is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded primarily through NYC DOE per-pupil funding and private donations.
Product overview
Community Roots Charter School is a K-8 public charter school offering a unified educational program built around anti-bias education, inclusive practices, and social justice. The school operates through several integrated components: an Outdoor Kindergarten Program (Forest School) providing nature-based learning; a traditional Elementary School Program (K-5) with integrated studies, dedicated literacy/math/science instruction, art, music, and PE; a Middle School Program (6-8) with Humanities, Math, Science, Spanish, and performing arts; a comprehensive After School Program with enrichment and athletics; and an Inclusive Education Program using co-teaching models and support services. The school also offers various community engagement programs including COOKS, COW, Community Reads, and Class Buddies that connect families to the educational mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Elementary School Program (K-5) K-5 educational program for NYC public school-eligible children, featuring integrated studies combining social studies with reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, alongside dedicated instruction in English Language Arts, Math (Illustrative Math curriculum), Science (FOSS curriculum), Visual Arts, Music, and Physical Education. Delivered at the 51 Saint Edwards Street, Third Floor campus in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
- Middle School Program (6-8) Grades 6-8 educational program integrating Humanities (Social Studies and English Language Arts), Math, Science, Spanish, Visual Arts, Theatre, and Physical Education, with emphasis on social justice education and student-led research projects. Delivered at the 101 Park Avenue campus in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
- Outdoor Kindergarten Program (Forest School) Nature-based kindergarten program for incoming Kindergartners, guided by principles of outdoor education, anti-bias education, and Common Core standards, with students spending approximately half of each week outdoors in Fort Greene Park. Serves 52 students annually.
- After School Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Exceeds district and city in enrollment and retention of students with varied needs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Community Roots Charter School
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Community Roots Charter School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Community Roots Charter School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)coreCRCS has an institutional partnership with BAM to enrich student lives and foster family relationships. BAM teaching artists in residence teach African Dance. Programs link educators, families, and teaching artists through art mediums, supporting and enriching CRCS curriculum, building community, and sharing different cultures.
- Fort Greene ParkcoreCRCS students spend time learning and playing at Fort Greene Park routinely. The 30-acre park is a short walk from the school and includes playgrounds, tennis courts, and hosts community events. It is also a site of Revolutionary War historical significance.
- Brooklyn College Community PartnershipcoreBrooklyn College at Community Roots is an after school program offered in association with NYC Department of Youth and Development. Provides enrichment activities five days a week from 4:00pm-6:00pm including dance, jazz band, STEM club, and literary magazine.
- Berlings Beard ProductionsminorCommunity-based organization partner providing after school enrichment programming. CRCS works with community-based organizations with track records of success.
- BK Elite FCminorSoccer program partner providing team sports through the Charter School Athletic League. Part of CRCS after school enrichment offerings.
- Bridge Skate SchoolminorFee-based after school program with pickup from CRCS Elementary School. Offers outdoor skate lessons at Golconda Park near CRCS. Not affiliated with CRCS directly.
- Brooklyn Music SchoolminorFee-based after school program (Arts Reaching Youth - ARY) with pickup from CRCS. Offers classes in music, dance, and theatre with homework support. Not affiliated with CRCS directly.
- Hoops AcademyminorFee-based basketball after school program. Offers pickup from CRCS and programming at 510 Clermont Ave, Brooklyn. Not affiliated with CRCS directly.
- Futbol RebelsminorFee-based soccer after school program for K-2nd grades. Plays at PS 20 school park. Not affiliated with CRCS directly.
- Swim Crew (Powered by NYC Swim)minorFee-based swim program ($375/month) with sessions Mon/Wed/Fri. Enrollment rolling. Not affiliated with CRCS directly.
- Charter School Athletic LeaguecoreCSAL provides competitive team sports for CRCS middle school students including volleyball, basketball, soccer, and running. CRCS teams compete against other charter schools.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Community Roots Charter School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- KIPP NYC: National charter network serving K-12 students across NYC with a college-prep focus. Operates multiple campuses and competes for the same pool of NYC public school lottery applicants, particularly in Brooklyn.
- Harlem Children's Zone (Promise Academy): Long-running NYC charter and social services network operating Promise Academy K-12 schools. While Manhattan-based, it competes for similar lottery-eligible families seeking wraparound educational support.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: The largest NYC charter network, operating 45+ schools across multiple boroughs. While much larger and more test-focused than CRCS, it competes for the same lottery-eligible NYC families and represents the dominant incumbent in NYC charter enrollment.
- Achievement First Brooklyn: Large charter network with multiple Brooklyn K-12 schools, focused on college preparation for students from low-income communities. Direct competitor for lottery-eligible families in Brooklyn.
- Uncommon Schools NYC: Multi-state charter network with significant NYC presence (including Brooklyn), operating K-12 schools with a college-preparatory mission. Competes for families seeking rigorous public charter alternatives in NYC.
Direct peers
- Brooklyn Prospect Charter School: K-12 public charter school in Brooklyn serving a similarly diverse student body through lottery-based enrollment. Operates multiple campuses in Downtown Brooklyn and Windsor Terrace, making it a close geographic and curricular peer to CRCS.
- Explore Schools: NYC charter network operating K-8 schools in Brooklyn with a focus on anti-racist, inclusive education. Closely comparable to CRCS in mission and grade-band offering.
- Public Preparatory Network: NYC charter network operating single-sex K-8 and K-12 schools, including in the Bronx and Manhattan. Comparable in size and grade-band to CRCS, with a similar social-justice educational mission.
Emerging players
- DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI): NYC nonprofit operating charter schools (e.g., DREAM Charter School) and youth programs. Comparable in mission to combine rigorous academics with social-emotional learning and community engagement in NYC.
- BASIS Independent Schools: Charter and independent school network with BASIS Independent Brooklyn serving K-12 with a STEM-intensive curriculum. Targets similar academically-oriented NYC families seeking alternatives to traditional public schools.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Community Roots Charter School social profiles
Digital presenceCommunity Roots Charter School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Community Roots Charter School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Community Roots Charter School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Community Roots Charter School 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 Community Roots Charter School
What does Community Roots Charter School do?
Community Roots Charter School operates a free K-8 public charter school serving 474 students across two Brooklyn campuses, delivering Common Core-aligned elementary and middle school instruction, a permanent Outdoor Kindergarten (Forest School) program, comprehensive free afterschool programming, and an Inclusive Education program using Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Enrollment is governed by a weighted NYC public school lottery that reserves at least 40% of incoming kindergartners for residents of surrounding public housing. The school is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded primarily through NYC DOE per-pupil funding and private donations.
Is Community Roots Charter School a public or private company?
Community Roots Charter School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Community Roots Charter School founded?
Community Roots Charter School was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Community Roots Charter School based?
Community Roots Charter School is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Community Roots Charter School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Per-Pupil Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Donations and Grants and after School Program Fees (Third-Party Providers).
Who are Community Roots Charter School's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are KIPP NYC, Harlem Children's Zone (Promise Academy), Success Academy Charter Schools, Achievement First Brooklyn and Uncommon Schools NYC. Direct peers are Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, Explore Schools and Public Preparatory Network. Emerging players are DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI) and BASIS Independent Schools.
Does Community Roots Charter School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Community Roots Charter School.
What industry is Community Roots Charter School in?
Community Roots Charter School's product category is K-8 Public Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAB, Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site), with a secondary code of EDAJACAC, Charter School Networks (Multi-Site). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.