Crosstown High

What Crosstown High does

Crosstown High is a public charter high school located inside Crosstown Concourse, a 10-story vertical urban village in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 2018 as one of the XQ Super Schools, the institution serves 537 students in grades 9-12 drawn via lottery from 31 zip codes across Memphis and Shelby County, with an intentionally diverse student body (55% Black, 30% White, 10% Latinx) and 51% economically disadvantaged. The school delivers a project-based and competency-based learning model, in which students tackle authentic real-world challenges, progress by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time, and present annually to families and community members through Presentations of Learning. Supporting programs include APEX elective courses, a work-based learning internship pipeline for juniors and seniors, college and career counseling, restorative justice practices, and 15+ student-led clubs.

The underlying technology stack is standard EdTech infrastructure rather than proprietary platforms: Canvas (LMS), PowerSchool (student information), ParentSquare (family communication), SchoolMint (lottery-based enrollment), GoFan and FinalForms (athletics), and NFHS Network (livestreaming). The school's competitive differentiation comes from its pedagogical framework, not its technology.

Crosstown High operates as a nonprofit public charter school under Tennessee law. Revenue is derived from per-pupil state BEP allocations, federal Title I funding, voluntary tax-deductible donations through the Yeti Fund, and a small fee-based Adult Learning Lab that monetizes the school's pedagogical IP for visiting educators. The school does not charge tuition and does not have venture capital or private equity ownership. It is governed by a 15+ member board drawn from major Memphis institutions including International Paper, Church Health, the University of Memphis, and Rhodes College.

Name

Crosstown High

Legal name

Crosstown High

Website

https://crosstownhigh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Crosstown High is a diverse-by-design public charter school in Memphis, TN serving 537 students in grades 9-12 through project-based and competency-based learning, funded by per-pupil allocations, Title I, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Public Funding: As a public charter school, Crosstown High receives per-pupil funding from state and local sources based on student enrollment of approximately 537 students.
2. Yeti Fund Donations: General giving program allowing community members to support the school through tax-deductible donations that fund inspiring educators, real-world learning opportunities, and learning space improvements.
3. Adult Learning Lab Programs: Fee-based programs for educators, school leaders, and change agents to learn from Crosstown's approach to project-based learning, restorative culture, and student-centered design. Suggested pricing with fee reductions available.
4. Title I Funding: Federal Title I funding for schools serving low-income students (51% economically disadvantaged student population).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Crosstown High operates a tuition-free public charter high school in Memphis, Tennessee, delivering project-based and competency-based learning to grades 9-12 students through a diverse-by-design lottery enrollment model. The school combines interdisciplinary project work, restorative culture, APEX elective courses, work-based learning internships, and college/career counseling to prepare students for post-secondary pathways. Its professional development program, the Adult Learning Lab, extends the school's pedagogical model to visiting educators and school leaders.

Product overview

Crosstown High operates as a single integrated public charter school rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The school offers a comprehensive educational program built around two foundational approaches: Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Competency-Based Learning, both aligned to the XQ Outcomes framework. Supporting these core methodologies are specialized programs including APEX Courses (hands-on electives), Work-Based Learning (internships), and College & Career Counseling. The Crosstown Learning Lab extends the school's methodology to adult educators through professional development visits and workshops. Additional offerings include Presentations of Learning (POLs), Advisory groups, Restorative Practices, and over 15 student-led clubs and organizations. The school integrates with third-party educational technology platforms including Canvas (LMS), PowerSchool (SIS), SchoolMint (enrollment), ParentSquare (communication), GoFan (athletic ticketing), and FinalForms (athletic registration).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 537 students enrolled from 31 zip codes representing Memphis diversity
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• XQ InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018XQ Super School Challenge partnership that helped birth Crosstown High. XQ provided support and framework for the innovative school design focused on project-based learning, competency-based progression, and deeper learning outcomes. The school continues to work with XQ and other forward-thinking schools nationwide.
• Crosstown ConcoursecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Crosstown High is housed inside Crosstown Concourse, a 10-story vertical urban village community hub in Memphis. This partnership provides unique learning environment and connections to over 20 tenant organizations including healthcare, arts, and innovation organizations for community-based learning.
• SchoolMintcoreTechnology or IntegrationSchoolMint provides the enrollment management and lottery system for student applications and registration. The random lottery system ensures fair admission regardless of application timing.
• ParentSquaresupportingTechnology or IntegrationSchool-wide communication platform used for family notifications, updates, and two-way communication with parents and guardians.
• Canvas (by Instructure)Technology or IntegrationLearning management system used for online coursework, assignments, grades, and feedback for students.
• PowerSchoolsupportingTechnology or IntegrationStudent information system used for viewing final grades and attendance records.
• GoFansupportingTechnology or IntegrationAthletic ticketing platform for purchasing tickets to sporting events and becoming Game Changer members.
• NFHS NetworksupportingTechnology or IntegrationLive streaming service for watching home athletic events remotely.
• Memphis Community EmployerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal employers provide internships, apprenticeships, and work experiences for juniors and seniors as part of work-based learning program connecting classroom learning to future careers.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Aspire Public Schools: Charter school network operating college-prep public schools in California and other states. Comparable as a multi-site charter operator serving similar demographics, although at much larger scale than Crosstown High.
• Uncommon Schools: Charter management organization operating college-prep schools in multiple states. Comparable as a charter operator with a tightly defined instructional model and a focus on underserved students, though at significantly larger scale than Crosstown High.
• IDEA Public Schools: One of the largest public charter school networks in the U.S., operating schools in Texas, Louisiana, and other states. Comparable as a national charter operator with a structured college-prep model, though at much larger scale than Crosstown High.
• Green Dot Public Schools: National charter management organization operating public charter schools focused on college and career readiness. Comparable as a multi-site charter operator with a clear instructional model, although significantly larger and broader geographically than Crosstown High.
• KIPP Public Schools: National charter school network operating K-12 schools across multiple states. Comparable as a large, established charter operator running college-prep schools with a defined instructional model, though at significantly greater scale and geographic reach than Crosstown High.

Direct peers

• Gestalt Community Schools: Memphis-based charter school network operating multiple schools. Directly comparable because it operates in the same Memphis market, uses a similar public-charter funding model, and serves overlapping student demographics.
• BASIS Charter Schools: Public charter school network recognized for academic rigor and a defined curriculum framework. Comparable because individual BASIS campuses operate as single-site or small-network schools with strong reputations and structured instructional models, similar to how Crosstown High is positioned locally.
• Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School: A public charter school in Memphis serving grades 6-12 with a college-prep and character-development focus. Directly comparable because it operates in the same city, serves similar Memphis students, and competes for the same lottery-based applicant pool.

Regional players

• Nashville Classical School: Public charter school in Nashville, Tennessee, serving grades K-8 with a classical education model. Regionally comparable because it operates in the same state under Tennessee charter law, although it serves a different city and grade range than Crosstown High.

Others

• XQ Institute: National initiative and nonprofit that selected Crosstown High as an XQ Super School. Related ecosystem player rather than a direct competitor — it provides funding, frameworks, and convening rather than operating schools, but the XQ brand is integral to Crosstown High's positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crosstown-high-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Crosstown High