Flagstaff Academy Charter School

What Flagstaff Academy Charter School does

Flagstaff Academy Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school operating under authorization from the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado. Founded in 2005 and now in its 20th year of operation, the school serves approximately 800 students from preschool through 8th grade, supported by nearly 100 teachers and staff. The curriculum is built on the Core Knowledge framework with an integrated hands-on science and technology focus, supplemented by distinctive programs including a Greenhouse Classroom, an Outdoor Education program, a Science Lab aligned to Next Generation Science Standards, and a 1:1 Chromebook initiative for grades 5 through 8. Every classroom is equipped with 70-inch Interactive Touchscreen TVs, and the school integrates 25+ educational technology platforms (Google Education Apps, IXL, Zearn Math, CodeHS, DreamBox, BrainPop, etc.) for personalized and project-based learning.

The business model combines public per-pupil revenue (PPR) from the authorizing district for K-8 instruction with several fee-based ancillary streams: a private preschool program for ages 3-5 (Colorado Shines Level 5 rated), Dragon Flight before/after school care and summer camp for ages 5-15, annual student activity fees ($240 elementary, $285 middle school), and grants/donations. Enrollment is open and tuition-free for K-8, with a lottery system activated when capacity is reached. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the school website, in-person tours, community events, and earned media (including 9News coverage of the composting program).

The school has accumulated significant reputational capital as the only charter school in Colorado to receive the Colorado Trailblazer School to Watch designation (2019, 2022, 2025), a three-time John Irwin School of Excellence winner (top 8% of state schools), and a #1 state ranking on the English Language Proficiency Assessment (2015). It maintains compliance with FERPA and the Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act, and operates under a governance structure featuring a Board of Directors, Executive Director of Academics, Executive Director of Operations, and Assistant Principals for elementary and middle school divisions. Strategic priorities are organized around four pillars: Student Success, Professional Environment and Culture, Financial Sustainability, and (added in 2024) Governance.

Name

Flagstaff Academy Charter School

Legal name

Flagstaff Academy Charter School

Website

https://flagstaffacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Flagstaff Academy is a tuition-free public K-8 charter school in Longmont, Colorado, serving ~800 students with a Core Knowledge curriculum, STEM focus, and small class sizes, authorized by St. Vrain Valley School District.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Longmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Per Pupil Operating Revenue (PPR): State funding based on per-pupil formula from St. Vrain Valley School District. As a publicly-funded charter school, receives public funds for each student enrolled.
2. Preschool Tuition: Private fee-based preschool program for students ages 3-5. Revenue from tuition charges for early childhood education services.
3. Student Activity Fees: Annual non-refundable activity fees: Elementary $240, Middle School $285. Supports community supplies, workbooks, technology programs, field trips, and specialty programs.
4. Dragon Flight Before/After Care: On-site before and after school care program serving students ages 5-15. Revenue from childcare service fees.
5. Grants and Donations: Additional funding through grants and community donations for special projects and enhanced programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Flagstaff Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Longmont, Colorado, serving preschool through 8th grade students. It delivers a Core Knowledge curriculum with a science and technology focus, and operates a preschool program along with Dragon Flight before- and after-school care.

Product overview

Flagstaff Academy Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school within the St. Vrain Valley School District, offering a comprehensive K-8 Core Knowledge-based education with a science and technology focus. The school serves approximately 800 students from preschool through 8th grade, operating with a 1:1 Chromebook initiative for grades 5-8 and interactive touchscreen technology in every classroom. The product portfolio includes the core K-8 academic program enhanced by specialized offerings such as the Greenhouse Classroom, Science Lab, Outdoor Education, and Gifted and Talented Program. Dragon Flight provides before/after school care and enrichment classes including robotics and programming. The school utilizes Infinite Campus for student information management and integrates numerous educational technology platforms including Google Apps for Education, IXL, Zearn Math, CodeHS, and others to deliver personalized, technology-enhanced learning experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dragon Flight: Before and after school care program serving students ages 5 to 15, offering enrichment classes, summer camp, and before/after school care.

Products and services

• K-8 Education Program Tuition-free, Core Knowledge-based K-8 academic program with a science and technology focus, serving approximately 800 students in Longmont, Colorado.
• Preschool Program Tuition-based preschool offering aligned with the school's Core Knowledge approach, serving the youngest learners before they enter the K-8 program.
• Dragon Flight Before- and After-School Care Fee-based on-site wraparound care program providing supervision and enrichment for enrolled students before and after the regular school day.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 8% of schools in Colorado Department of Education achievement rankings (Three-time John Irwin School of Excellence)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration27 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Vrain Valley School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagstaff Academy operates as a charter school under contract with the St. Vrain Valley School District. The district provides per-pupil funding, special education services, and oversight. The school maintains operational autonomy while being accountable to district performance standards.
• Dragon Flight (Before/After School Care)coreOthersOn-site before and after school care program licensed by Colorado Department of Human Services (License #1534446). Serves students ages 4-15 including full-time summer camp. Offers enrichment classes in robotics, programming, arts, and foreign languages.
• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)minorOthersParent-run organization supporting school community through volunteer activities, fundraising, and school events.
• Colorado League of Charter SchoolsminorOthersState association providing advocacy and resources for charter schools in Colorado.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Great Hearts Academies: Growing charter school network operating classical, liberal-arts focused K-12 programs with a growing Colorado footprint. Comparable tuition-free public charter structure with a distinctive curriculum philosophy targeting similar college-prep family demographics.

Direct peers

• Prospect Ridge Academy: Public K-8 charter school in Broomfield, CO, close to Flagstaff's Longmont catchment. Operates with lottery-based enrollment and similar STEM/college-prep focus, making it a direct competitor for the same family demographic.
• Aspen Academy: Public charter school in Greenwood Village, CO serving K-8 with a STEM/leadership focus. Highly comparable tuition-free charter model, similar program mix (Core Knowledge-style curriculum, technology integration), and overlapping competitive set for STEM-oriented families.
• American Academy: Public charter school in Parker, CO, operating K-8 with a classical/college-prep academic focus. Comparable tuition-free charter model, lottery enrollment, and family demographic in the Denver metro area.
• Liberty Common School: K-12 public charter school in Fort Collins, CO, with a Core Knowledge/classical curriculum emphasis. Comparable tuition-free model, lottery enrollment, and similar program philosophy to Flagstaff.
• The Classical Academy: Public charter school system in Colorado Springs serving K-12 with a classical education focus. Comparable tuition-free charter structure, Colorado Department of Education oversight, and college-prep academic emphasis.
• Challenge to Excellence Charter School: K-8 charter school in Parker, CO, with a STEM focus and tuition-free public charter model. Comparable governance structure under a Colorado authorizer and similar operational scale (sub-1,000 students).
• Peak to Peak Charter School: Public K-12 charter school in Lafayette/Louisville, CO, also within the broader Boulder County region. Operates as a tuition-free charter with lottery-based open enrollment and award-winning academic programs, comparable to Flagstaff's mission, funding model, and family demographic.

Broad incumbents

• BASIS Charter Schools: National K-12 charter school network known for STEM-heavy, college-prep curriculum and high academic outcomes. Operates multiple campuses in Colorado and represents a larger incumbent competitor for STEM-focused charter families.
• KIPP Colorado Schools: Regional affiliate of the national KIPP charter network operating multiple schools in Colorado. Larger incumbent charter operator with comparable tuition-free model and college-prep mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeA976lfFACAR9jBlijWSTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlagstaffAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/flagstaffacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flagstaff-academy

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Flagstaff Academy Charter School