Graham Primary School
GEMS is a public K-8 charter school in Columbus, Ohio, part of the Graham Family of Schools network, serving local families with academic instruction, a House-based character program, and experiential learning partnerships. Revenue is per-pupil state funding plus a flat $35 fee.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Graham Primary School does
Graham Elementary and Middle School (GEMS), referred to in this engagement as Graham Primary School, is a public K-8 charter school operating as a member of the Graham Family of Schools network in Columbus, Ohio. The school is located at 140 E 16th Ave and serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade in the Columbus area, focusing on academic instruction alongside a character-education framework built around a House system and the 5 Habits of Learning (Responsibility, Perseverance, Quality, Teamwork, Thoughtfulness). Core programming is supplemented by experiential learning partnerships, including OSU PENPALS literacy mentors (grades 2-5), Junior Achievement's Finance Park budgeting program (8th grade), and recurring field trips to Columbus Zoo and Scioto Audubon Metro Park.
GEMS operates on a non-profit charter model. Revenue is generated primarily through per-pupil state funding, supplemented by a flat $35.00 per-student school fee for the 2026-27 academic year, processed through the GEMS School Store, and voluntary donations accepted via PayPal. The technology stack is operational rather than product-oriented: PowerSchool serves as the student information system for enrollment applications, annual forms, and parent-portal access; JotForm handles job applications; and the school's website (thegrahamfamilyofschools.org) and social channels (Facebook, Instagram @gemscolumbus) carry marketing and community communications. No proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, app, or external funding is disclosed.
Go-to-market is community-led: GEMS acquires students primarily through word-of-mouth and a family ambassador referral program, with direct enrollment via the school website and PowerSchool portal. Distribution is a single physical campus in Columbus, OH. There is no evidence of multi-campus expansion, capital-raising activity, M&A, or commercial product offerings; the entity is a tuition-funded educational institution rather than an investable growth company.
Graham Primary School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Graham Primary School
- Legal name
- Graham Elementary and Middle School
- Website
- https://grahamprimary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GEMS is a public K-8 charter school in Columbus, Ohio, part of the Graham Family of Schools network, serving local families with academic instruction, a House-based character program, and experiential learning partnerships. Revenue is per-pupil state funding plus a flat $35 fee.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Graham Primary School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Primary Education (K-8 Charter School)
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)
Keywords
Where Graham Primary School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Graham Primary School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Public charter school funded primarily through per-pupil state funding, supplemented by mandatory school fees charged to families ($35 per student for the 26-27 school year).
- Donations: Accepts charitable donations through PayPal, supporting school programs and operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Standard K-8 enrollment with $35 school fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Graham Primary School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Graham Primary School (GEMS) is a K-8 public charter school delivering academic instruction, character development through its House system and 5 Habits of Learning framework, and experiential learning programs such as Finance Park, OSU PENPALS literacy, science field trips, and a Middle School Career Fair. The core offering is the K-8 education program, supported by ancillary services including the Family Crew engagement program, school nutrition meals, and the PowerSchool parent portal. Families apply through the school website, pay a $35 annual school fee via the online school store, and may support the school through PayPal donations.
Product overview
GEMS (Graham Elementary and Middle School) is a K-8 public charter school offering a unified educational program. The school provides core K-8 education services complemented by several support modules including Family Crew (family engagement), the Nutrition Program (meal services), PowerSchool Parent Portal (student information access), and the GEMS School Store (fee and merchandise management). The school operates as part of the Graham Family of Schools network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- K-8 Education Program Comprehensive K-8 academic instruction and character development program serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade, anchored in the House system and 5 Habits of Learning framework (Responsibility, Perseverance, Quality, Teamwork, Thoughtfulness). Includes college preparation, life skills education, and experiential learning partnerships for families in Columbus, Ohio.
- Family Crew Family engagement program connecting families to the school community and supporting student learning at home, complementing the House system.
- GEMS Nutrition Program School nutrition services providing meals to enrolled students, with published daily/periodic menus available online.
Companies that use Graham Primary School
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Graham Primary School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Graham Primary School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ohio State University (OSU) - PENPALS ProgramcoreGEMS students in grades 2-5 participate in a pen pal program with OSU college mentors from Peers Advancing Literacy in Students (PENPALS). Students met their OSU pen pals in person for the first time on April 24, 2026, for a celebration event, supporting literacy development and college exposure.
- Junior AchievementcoreGEMS 8th graders participate in Finance Park through Junior Achievement, learning life skills by balancing budgets with assigned jobs, families, bills, and loans. Program provides hands-on financial literacy education.
- Scioto Audubon Metro ParkminorGEMS 1st graders visit Scioto Audubon Metro Park to launch their study of birds, supporting experiential science education through outdoor learning.
- 10TV/WCMH-TVminor10TV Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo visited GEMS to discuss natural disasters and weather with students, providing real-world science education and community connection.
- Columbus ZoominorGEMS students visit Columbus Zoo for educational field trips. Kindergarteners had a zoo visit and the 5th-8th grade end-of-year trip also goes to the zoo, supporting science curriculum and experiential learning.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Graham Primary School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- KIPP Foundation: KIPP Foundation is the national charter network operator behind KIPP schools (including KIPP Columbus), with a comparable public-charter, college-prep, character-driven model and Ohio presence competing for similar families.
- BASIS Charter Schools: BASIS Charter Schools operates a national network of K-12 public charter schools with an academically rigorous curriculum and character development emphasis, comparable to GEMS in mission, structure, and family appeal.
- IDEA Public Schools: IDEA Public Schools is one of the largest public charter networks in the U.S., operating K-12 charter schools with a college-prep and character-development mission similar to GEMS, though primarily in Texas and select expansion states.
- National Heritage Academies: National Heritage Academies is one of the largest charter management organizations in the U.S., operating multiple schools in Ohio (including Columbus) serving K-8 students. It is a broader incumbent competitor with overlapping curriculum and character education offerings.
- Accel Schools: Accel Schools is an Ohio-based charter management organization that operates numerous K-8 and K-12 charter schools, including locations in the Columbus metro. It is comparable in business model (public charter, per-pupil funding) and target families.
Emerging players
- Connections Academy: Connections Academy operates online K-12 public charter schools including Great River Connections Academy in Ohio, competing with GEMS for families seeking alternative K-8 education but in an online delivery format.
Direct peers
- KIPP Columbus: KIPP Columbus is a K-8 public charter school in Columbus, OH serving a similar urban-family demographic with a college-prep focus and character-development culture, making it the closest direct peer to GEMS in the same geography.
- Horizon Science Academy Columbus: Horizon Science Academy operates STEM-focused K-12 public charter schools in Ohio, including a Columbus campus. It competes for the same K-8 family demographic and is publicly funded through per-pupil state allocations.
Regional players
- Columbus City Schools: Columbus City Schools is the traditional public school district serving Columbus, OH. While not a charter, it competes for the same K-8 family demographic and is the primary alternative families weigh against GEMS at the local level.
- Tree of Life Christian Schools: Tree of Life Christian Schools is a private K-12 school in the Columbus, OH area that competes with GEMS for families seeking values-driven, character-focused K-8 education, though it operates under a faith-based and tuition-funded model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Graham Primary School social profiles
Digital presenceGraham Primary School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Graham Primary School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Graham Primary School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Graham Primary School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Graham Primary School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Graham Primary School
What does Graham Primary School do?
Graham Primary School (GEMS) is a K-8 public charter school delivering academic instruction, character development through its House system and 5 Habits of Learning framework, and experiential learning programs such as Finance Park, OSU PENPALS literacy, science field trips, and a Middle School Career Fair. The core offering is the K-8 education program, supported by ancillary services including the Family Crew engagement program, school nutrition meals, and the PowerSchool parent portal. Families apply through the school website, pay a $35 annual school fee via the online school store, and may support the school through PayPal donations.
Is Graham Primary School a public or private company?
Graham Primary School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Graham Primary School founded?
Graham Primary School was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Graham Primary School based?
Graham Primary School is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Graham Primary School make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are Graham Primary School's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are KIPP Foundation, BASIS Charter Schools, IDEA Public Schools, National Heritage Academies and Accel Schools. Connections Academy is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are KIPP Columbus and Horizon Science Academy Columbus. Regional players are Columbus City Schools and Tree of Life Christian Schools.
Does Graham Primary School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Graham Primary School.
What industry is Graham Primary School in?
Graham Primary School's product category is Primary Education (K-8 Charter School). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAB, Public Elementary Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJALAK, Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.