Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola

What Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola does

Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola is a private, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt independent school founded in 1972 in Pensacola, Florida. The school serves more than 300 students ranging from age three through eighth grade on a single 50+ year-old campus at 3151 Hyde Park Road, with a faculty of nearly 50 members. Educational programming is organized into three developmental stages: a Preprimary program (ages 3-5) built on Montessori methods across six classroom areas (Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science, Geography); a Lower School (Kindergarten through 4th grade) covering core academics plus enrichment in music, art, Spanish, technology, physical education, and a LaunchPad innovation space; and a Middle School (5th-8th grade) offering differentiated instruction, an advisory program, electives, and high school credit opportunities in Spanish I, Algebra I Honors, and Geometry. All academic programming is unified by the school's foundational Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) framework, delivered through the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning's three-year training program.

The school's underlying technology and pedagogy stack centers on cognitive-science-based instructional design rather than software systems. Faculty training in MBE and Neuroteach Global Access constitutes the primary proprietary differentiator, supported by a Portrait of a Graduate framework with four pillars (Character, Knowledge, Innovation, Leadership). Operational systems are outsourced to third-party platforms: Blackbaud for student management, Smart Tuition for billing, ParentSquare for family communications, and Wholesome Food Services for lunch program logistics.

The business model is a hybrid of recurring tuition and charitable giving. Primary revenue derives from annual tuition plus fixed fees including a $550 new-student registration fee, a $500 per-child Security/Facilities Fee introduced for 2025-26, and a $100 application fee. Supplemental recurring revenue comes from After School Care, Camp CLA summer program ($150-$300/week), after-school clubs, and a lunch ordering service. Charitable contributions through the Dragon Fund annual giving campaign (with tiered giving levels from $250 to $5,000+), the Dragon Jubilee annual auction, and a Day of Giving that raised $83,468 in 2024 supplement operational revenue. The go-to-market is a four-step sales-led admissions process administered by a Director of Admissions, with priority consideration for applications received by October 1st.

Name

Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola

Legal name

Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola

Website

https://creativelearningacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit independent school serving more than 300 students from age three through eighth grade in Pensacola, Florida, using a Montessori-based early childhood curriculum unified by a Mind, Brain, and Education framework with 100% faculty participation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Montessori Early Learning Academies (EDACADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Play-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAE), Inquiry/Project-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAF), Domain-Specific Curriculum (Literacy, Numeracy, Science, SEL, Motor, Arts) (EDACAJAB)

Keywords

• Private school education
• Montessori early childhood
• K-8 education programs
• Summer camp programs
• After school care

Headquarters

HQ city

Pensacola

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments. Tuition includes in-town field trips, technology, assessment, student consumable supplies, textbooks, planners, student subscriptions, one school t-shirt, and special classroom events. Additional fees include $550 Registration Fee for new students and $500 Security/Facilities Fee (beginning 2025-26 school year).
2. Dragon Fund Annual Giving: Annual fund campaign enabling CLA to continue striving for excellence beyond daily operational expenses, providing critical resources for academics, facilities, art, technology, athletics, teacher professional development, and unexpected student opportunities.
3. Alumni and Community Donations: Alumni families make generous contributions to CLA's Dragon Fund, which funds campus modernization and enhancements. Includes various giving methods: check, online/credit card, appreciated stock/securities, pledge gifts, matching gifts, planned giving, and Venmo.
4. Dragon Jubilee Annual Auction: Annual live and silent auction event as a primary fundraiser supporting the Dragon Fund. Includes event sponsorships, event underwriting, ticket sales, and purchase/donation of auction items.
5. After School Care: After school care program available until 5:30 p.m. with options for full-time enrollment by quarter or drop-in basis. Early care available from 7:20 am - 8:00 am.
6. Camp CLA Summer Program: Summer camp program offering sports, enrichments, and creative camps. Half-day options (8:30-11:30 am or 12:00-3:00 pm) at $150/week or full-day (8:30-3:00 pm) at $300/week. After care available from 3:00-5:00 pm for $100/week.
7. Lunch Program: Students can order lunches from various vendors through Wholesome Foods Services partnership. Families create accounts and sign up for lunches up to 60 days in advance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola is an accredited independent school offering a continuous education program from Preprimary (ages 3-5) through 8th grade, grounded in Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) science and Montessori methods. The school delivers core academics alongside enrichment (art, music, Spanish, PE, technology), a LaunchPad innovation space, athletics, summer camp, and before/after school care.

Product overview

Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola is an accredited independent school offering a comprehensive educational program from Preprimary (ages 3-5) through 8th grade. The institution operates as a unified educational platform organized by developmental stages: the Preprimary Program provides Montessori-based early childhood education, the Lower School Program (K-4th) builds foundational academic skills, and the Middle School Program (5th-8th) prepares students for high school with opportunities to earn high school credit. The school supplements its core academic offerings with Camp CLA summer program, an athletics program, after school clubs, and after school care services. All programs are unified by the school's mission to prepare creative problem solvers through a culturally-enriched, student-centered approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preprimary Program Montessori-based early childhood program for children ages 3-5 combining Montessori methods with age-appropriate instructional practices across six classroom areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science, and Geography. Includes language arts, math, science, Spanish, technology, art, music, library, and physical education.
• Lower School Program (Kindergarten - 4th Grade) Program for Grades K-4 focusing on foundational knowledge, cognitive skills, confidence, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and habits of mind. Core curriculum includes language arts, writing, math, social studies, science, Spanish, and technology with enrichment in music, art, PE, and the LaunchPad innovation space.
• Middle School Program (5th - 8th Grade) Program for Grades 5-8 building independent learners and leaders with differentiated instruction, advisory program, and high school credit opportunities in Spanish I, Algebra I Honors, and Geometry. Electives span visual arts, performing arts, technology, engineering, leadership, communication, PE, and wellness.
• Camp CLA Summer Program Summer day camp program offering sports, enrichment, and creative camps. Runs June 8-July 10, 2026, with half-day ($150/week), full-day ($300/week), and aftercare ($100/week) options.
• Athletics Program Interscholastic athletic competition program participating in Catholic Youth Sports League (CYSL). Sports include volleyball, flag football, basketball, soccer, track and field, tennis, and swimming.
• After School Clubs Diverse after-school club program offering specialized clubs including ballet, art, Lego building, fitness, and music. Participation requires additional fees and registration is published quarterly.
• After School Care Before and after school care program providing safe environment with dedicated homework time and creative unstructured play. Early care available from 7:20am; after school care until 5:30pm with full-time, quarterly, or drop-in enrollment options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13 of 17 History Fair participants advanced to state-level competition
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Step Up for StudentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLA partners with Step Up for Students to offer the state-sponsored Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program, enabling families to apply for scholarships for students in Grades K-8. Scholarships must be renewed annually and are subject to Florida state rules and regulations.
• Wholesome Food ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLA partners with Wholesome Food Services to provide a variety of lunch options for students from local restaurants including Firehouse Subs, Clean Eatz, and Red Robin. Families can create accounts and sign up for lunches up to 60 days in advance.
• Lands' EndminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLA partners with Lands' End for school uniforms, with preferred school number 900158072. Families can purchase navy blue CLA Polo Shirts and khaki bottoms through the Lands' End website or phone ordering.
• BSN Sideline SportsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLA partners with BSN Sideline Sports (Sideline Store) for CLA spirit wear and attire. Students receive a CLA T-shirt at beginning of year and can purchase additional spirit items throughout the year.
• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or IntegrationCLA uses Blackbaud as its student management system for academic and administrative processes. Parents access student records, monitor academic progress, provide health information, and manage enrollment through Blackbaud accounts.
• ParentSquarecoreTechnology or IntegrationCLA uses ParentSquare as its dedicated communication platform, serving as a centralized hub for disseminating important information, updates, and announcements to families about school activities, events, and academic progress.
• Smart TuitioncoreTechnology or IntegrationCLA uses Smart Tuition for tuition management and billing, allowing parents to access and pay tuition and incidental billing fees throughout their time at CLA.
• Catholic Youth Sports League (CYSL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLA participates as a visiting member of CYSL for interscholastic athletic competition in volleyball (3rd-8th), flag football (3rd-8th), basketball (2nd-8th), soccer (K-8th), and track and field (K-8th). This partnership provides competitive sports opportunities for students.
• Dauphin Island Sea LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSixth grade students spend four days at Dauphin Island Sea Lab becoming environmental explorers, experiencing saltwater marsh ecosystem through hands-on activities including dragging seines, catching marine animals, and sieving marsh bottom samples.
• Outward BoundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEighth grade students participate in an eight-day outdoor wilderness experience in North Carolina that promotes self-discovery, inspires character development, and challenges students to achieve more than they thought possible.
• NASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLA was the only school in Florida selected by NASA to host an International Space Station downlink event, providing students an opportunity to connect directly with astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli and learn about space exploration and the Artemis program.
• Dr. Brett Reichwage and Globus MedicalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEighth grade students participated in a spine lab session guided by Dr. Brett Reichwage and medical equipment representative Brent Bush from Globus Medical, practicing insertion of pedicle screws into simulated spines as part of an anatomy unit.
• Name BubblesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLA partners with Name Bubbles to offer personalized labels for students' personal and clothing items, helping ensure items brought to school return home to their owners.
• Gulf Coast Kid's HouseminorOthersCLA students participate in service learning by making scarves and donating books and pajamas for children at Gulf Coast Kid's House, a child advocacy center.
• Project LinusminorOthersCLA students become 'Blanketeers' for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides handmade blankets to children in need.
• Northwest Florida Aquatic PreservesminorOthersCLA students plant living shorelines on Bayou Grande with Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves as part of environmental service learning.
• Pensacola Police DepartmentcoreOthersCLA has full-time security from the Pensacola Police Department, with costs covered by the $500 annual Security/Facilities Fee charged per child beginning 2025-26.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pine Crest School: Large independent PK-12 school in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Established Florida private school brand with similar academic positioning and family demographic.
• Berkeley Preparatory School: Large independent K-12 school in Tampa, FL. Larger-scale Florida private school with comparable academic profile and family demographic, though broader grade span and bigger enrollment.
• The Bolles School: Premier independent PK-12 school in Jacksonville, FL. Comparable Florida private school brand serving similar demographic, with established 90+ year history and broader scope.

Regional players

• The Village School: Independent PK-12 school in Naples, FL. Comparable Florida private school of similar enrollment scale and tuition tier.
• Out-of-Door Academy: Independent PK-12 school in Sarasota, FL. Comparable Florida private school of similar scale with similar tuition profile and family demographic.
• Admiral Farragut Academy: Private PK-12 school in St. Petersburg, FL. Comparable Florida independent school of similar scale and tuition positioning.
• Maclay School: Independent K-12 school in Tallahassee, FL. Comparable as a Florida private school of similar size serving professional families, though K-12 rather than K-8.

Direct peers

• Sacred Heart Cathedral School: Private Catholic K-8 school located in Pensacola, FL. Directly comparable to CLA as a same-city, same-grade independent school competing for the same Pensacola families.
• St. Paul's Catholic School: Private Catholic K-8 school in Pensacola, FL. Competes with CLA in the same local market for tuition-paying families seeking faith-based or independent K-8 education.
• East Hill Christian School: Private Christian K-8 school in Pensacola. Closest geographic direct competitor with similar grade range, tuition model, and family demographic.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CLAdragons
• Instagraminstagram.com/cla_dragons
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/creative-learning-academy-of-pensacola

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola