Envision Academy for Arts & Technology

What Envision Academy for Arts & Technology does

Envision Academy for Arts & Technology is a public charter school located at 1515 Webster Street in Oakland, California, serving approximately 231 students across grades 6-12 (60 in middle school and 171 in high school). The school operates as a tuition-free, nonprofit 501(c)(3) institution and is part of the broader Envision Education network, which expanded to five schools across the Bay Area by 2015. Envision Academy is led by Executive School Director Dr. E. Ward-Jackson and Principal Kassandre Harper-Cotton, supported by 26+ staff including teachers, counselors, an assistant principal, and a dean of students.

The school's academic model is built on project-based learning and a nationally recognized Portfolio Defense assessment system, introduced in 2010, which requires sophomore Benchmark Portfolios and 12th-grade College Success Portfolios culminating in dissertation-style defenses. Curriculum is aligned to UC/CSU A-G requirements, and the school reports that 100% of students graduate UC/CSU eligible with 90%+ accepted to four-year colleges. Complementary programs include a Workplace Learning internship component, college counseling, athletics and clubs, and student support services (including a Seneca-provided counselor). Pedagogical differentiation rests on the 4 Mindsets framework and 21st Century Leadership Skills competencies, taught in small classes of 12-19 students.

Revenue is generated through public per-pupil funding under California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), supplemented by categorical grants. No tuition is charged. The go-to-market is enrollment-driven: families apply through the Oakland Enrolls (SchoolMint) platform, with bilingual (English/Spanish) support, in-person information sessions, open houses, and community outreach in Oakland. The school's primary customer segments are middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) students, with parents and families as a secondary supporting segment.

Name

Envision Academy for Arts & Technology

Legal name

Envision Academy of Arts & Technology

Website

https://envisionacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Envision Academy for Arts & Technology is a tuition-free public charter school in Oakland, California, serving 231 students in grades 6-12 through project-based learning, a nationally recognized Portfolio Defense model, and UC/CSU-aligned college preparatory curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• College preparatory programs
• Project-based learning
• Middle school education
• High school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: As a public charter school in California, Envision Academy receives per-pupil funding from state and local sources based on average daily attendance. Additional funding through Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and categorical programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Envision Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving approximately 231 students in grades 6-12 in Oakland, California. It delivers college-preparatory education through project-based learning, anchored by the nationally recognized Portfolio Defense capstone model where sophomores complete a Benchmark Portfolio and 12th graders complete a College Success Portfolio with formal dissertation-style defense. The school offers integrated academic programs, Workplace Learning internships, college counseling, athletics and clubs, and student support services.

Product overview

Envision Academy of Arts & Technology is a single-site K-12 charter school offering a unified educational program built on project-based learning and college preparation. The core academic program includes middle and high school grades with distinctive features such as the Portfolio Defense capstone model for 10th and 12th graders, a College-Prep program aligned with A-G requirements, and a Workplace Learning Experience internship component. Supporting services include college counseling, student support services with advisory programs, athletics and clubs, and summer meals. The school operates as one institution within the Envision Education network, not as a platform with separate modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-12 Education Programs Middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) educational programs serving approximately 60 middle school students and 171 high school students, with a project-based learning approach. The school serves students in Oakland, California with college-preparatory curriculum meeting UC/CSU A-G requirements.
• Portfolio Defense A nationally recognized capstone presentation model where 10th grade students complete a Benchmark Portfolio and 12th grade students complete a College Success Portfolio with formal dissertation-style defense in front of teachers and peers, demonstrating mastery of academic content.
• College-Prep Program College-preparatory academic program that equips students with skills and knowledge for higher education, emphasizing critical thinking, research, and effective communication. Meets UC/CSU A-G requirements with 24 credits required for graduation.
• Athletics and Clubs Extracurricular programs including basketball, Performance Arts Club, Garden Club, Interact Club, Arabic Club, Visual Arts Club, Student Council, Science Club, and others for student engagement and development.
• Workplace Learning Experience Internship program for high school students providing real-world professional experience in collaboration with business mentors, bridging classroom knowledge with workplace practice.
• College Counseling Guidance services helping students navigate the college application process with personalized support and resources, including college admissions and financial aid support.
• Student Support Services Comprehensive support services including counseling, advisory programs, special education, RTI (Response to Intervention), and assistance navigating school, family, and life challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students graduate UC/CSU eligible
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Envision EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Envision Education network was founded in 2002 and launched the new model of deeper learning. Envision Academy was established in 2003 as part of this network. The network has since expanded to five schools across the Bay Area. Envision Education provides the organizational framework, Portfolio Defense methodology, and educational approach.
• Oakland EnrollscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOakland Enrolls is the official enrollment management platform for the school, using SchoolMint technology to process student applications and enrollment for Envision Academy and other Oakland schools.
• Local Middle Schools (via Interact Club)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvision Academy's Interact Club partners with local middle schools to lead after-school workshops focused on littering and climate change, followed by community clean-up events around school campuses.
• SenecaminorOthersSeneca provides counseling support services to the school, with counselor Emi Bell serving as Seneca Counselor at Envision Academy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Green Dot Public Schools: Large California charter management organization operating multiple college-prep schools, including sites in the Bay Area. Comparable charter model and mission but significantly larger and more diversified network.
• Summit Public Schools: California-based charter network with a national footprint, operating college-prep high schools using project-based learning and personalized mentoring. Comparable in model and college-readiness outcomes but larger scale and broader geography.

Direct peers

• Envision Schools: The parent nonprofit network operating Envision Academy and four other Bay Area schools using the same Portfolio Defense model, 4 Mindsets framework, and deeper-learning methodology. Most directly comparable as the same operating entity.
• Aspire Public Schools: Large California charter school network operating college-prep K-12 schools with significant Oakland and Bay Area presence. Comparable in mission (college readiness for underserved students), model, and geographic footprint.
• Education for Change Public Schools: Oakland-based charter network operating multiple K-8 and K-12 schools focused on college preparation for East Oakland students. Comparable in mission, geography, and small-school community model.
• Rocketship Public Schools: Bay Area-based charter network operating K-5 elementary schools with a college-prep mission focused on underserved communities. Comparable in model and geographic focus on the Bay Area charter market.
• Lighthouse Community Public Schools: Oakland-based charter network operating grades K-12 with a college-prep mission, project-based learning, and similar demographic focus on Oakland's underserved communities. Direct geographic and philosophical peer.
• KIPP Bay Area Public Schools: Bay Area affiliate of the national KIPP charter network, operating multiple K-12 college-prep schools in Oakland and surrounding cities. Direct peer on college-readiness outcomes, charter model, and Oakland market.
• Oakland Unity High School: Oakland charter high school serving a similar demographic with a college-prep mission, small class sizes, and community-focused culture. Direct neighborhood peer competing for the same Oakland students.

Others

• Oakland Unified School District: The local public school district serving as the charter authorizer and the primary alternative to charter enrollment for Oakland families. Relevant as the regulatory authorizer and the main enrollment competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/envision-academy-for-arts-&-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Envision Academy for Arts & Technology