The Franciscan School

What The Franciscan School does

The Franciscan School is a private Catholic K-8 school in Raleigh, North Carolina, operating as a nonprofit organization under the Diocese of Raleigh and sharing its campus with St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Founded in 2000, the school enrolls approximately 600 students — making it one of the largest private K-8 schools in the Raleigh area — and serves families seeking faith-integrated education across Kindergarten through 8th grade.

The academic program is built on three pillars (faith, academics, and service) and delivered through a curriculum stack including Core Knowledge Language Arts (K-5), Wilson Fundations phonics, a STREAM track, middle school electives, fine arts, athletics, and academic support services such as speech/language therapy and learning specialists. Technology is consumer-grade (SMART boards, iPads, laptops, media center) and student information is managed through RenWeb/Facts Management, with no proprietary technology, AI/ML capabilities, or platform architecture of significance.

The business model is tuition-driven with three tiers for the 2026-27 academic year: St. Francis Parish Steward ($10,555), Catholic ($11,821), and Full Tuition ($13,924), plus a $200 multi-child discount and a $150 technology fee. Approximately 25% of students receive need-based financial aid, sourced from parish offertory, the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ Grant Programs, the Diocese of Raleigh's Black and Indian Mission fund, and the school's own Timberwolf Fund (established 2019), which has disbursed over $1.8 million in tuition assistance over five years. The school markets through its website, Instagram, campus tours, and parish community referrals, and holds a 2011 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award, Cognia accreditation, and NCEA membership.

Name

The Franciscan School

Legal name

The Franciscan School

Website

https://franciscanschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Franciscan School is a nonprofit Catholic K-8 school in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving approximately 600 students with a faith-integrated curriculum, tiered parish-based tuition, and recognized academic programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• K-8 Catholic education
• Private school education
• Faith-based learning
• Elementary middle school
• Academic support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh, North Carolina

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: The primary revenue source is tuition payments from families. The school offers tiered tuition rates based on parish stewardship status: St. Francis Steward rate ($10,555), Catholic rate ($11,821), and Full Tuition rate ($13,924) for grades K-8. Families with two or more enrolled children receive a $200 per student discount.
2. Timberwolf Fund Donations: Annual fundraising campaign established in 2019 to provide additional financial support and scholarships. Last year, eight students received scholarships through this fund.
3. Tuition Assistance Programs: Need-based financial aid provided through parish offertory funds, the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ Grant Programs, and the Diocese of Raleigh Black and Indian Mission tuition assistance for students of African American and Native American ancestry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Franciscan School provides a faith-based Catholic education for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, integrating academics, Franciscan values, and service learning. Core offerings include the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum for grades K-5, STREAM programming, fine arts, athletics, middle school electives, academic support services (speech therapy and learning specialists), and a Bridges before/after school care program. The school serves approximately 600 students on its Raleigh, NC campus under the Diocese of Raleigh.

Product overview

The Franciscan School offers a comprehensive K-8 Catholic education built on three pillars: Faith, Academics, and Service. The school provides a structured curriculum including Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) for grades K-5, middle school academics with diverse elective offerings, fine arts (music, drama, visual arts), technology integration with iPads, laptops, and SMART boards, STREAM education for elementary students, and extensive support services including academic support, counseling, and before/after school care (Bridges Program). The school serves approximately 600 students and emphasizes individualized attention, experiential learning, and Franciscan values rooted in service to the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-8 Catholic Education Faith-based Catholic education for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, integrating rigorous academics with Franciscan values and service learning on the Raleigh, NC campus shared with St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
• Bridges Before and After School Care Program Extended care program for working parents offering morning care from 7:00-7:40 AM and afterschool care from 2:40-6:00 PM at The Franciscan School campus.
• Academic Support Services Specialized services including speech and language therapy, learning specialists, and individualized assistance for students needing additional academic support at The Franciscan School.
• School Counseling Professional counseling services for students, including K-5 counseling and 6th-8th grade counseling programs supporting social-emotional development at The Franciscan School.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports program offering various athletic activities and team participation for students at The Franciscan School.
• Fine Arts Program Comprehensive arts education including music, drama, and visual arts with performances such as the annual Celebration of the Arts and theatrical productions at The Franciscan School.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 25% of students receive need-based financial aid
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Francis of Assisi ParishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is a Catholic school birthed from St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The Pastor reviews parish stewardship determinations and the school operates in close partnership with the parish for faith formation, service opportunities, and campus experiences. The parish celebrates a Jubilee Year of St. Francis with the school community.
• Diocese of RaleighcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school operates within the Diocese of Raleigh as a Catholic school. The Diocese provides oversight through the Office of Education, including the Superintendent of Schools, and offers tuition assistance programs such as the Black and Indian Mission for students of African American and Native American ancestry.
• St. Francis of Assisi PreschoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth The Franciscan School and St. Francis of Assisi Preschool are birthed from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, laying a firm foundation of faith. Many TFS students come from the preschool program.
• Passage HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership with Passage Home, a community action agency and anti-poverty organization supporting families in need within Wake County. TFS students prepare 30 families annually with food for the holidays, learning about community service and breaking cycles of poverty.
• North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners with NCSEAA to direct families to the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ Grant Programs for tuition assistance.
• Cardinal Gibbons High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArea Catholic high school referenced as the next educational step for TFS graduates. Mentioned in relation to athletics events and alumni preparation.
• CogniaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal nonprofit education network providing assessment and accreditation services to the school.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/embed/7ZeLi_UmVM4
• Instagraminstagram.com/tfsraleigh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-franciscan-school-raleigh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 The Franciscan School