Great Lakes Academy

What Great Lakes Academy does

Great Lakes Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit private school founded in 1996, located in Plano, Texas, serving students in grades 4th through 12th in the North Texas Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The school specializes in educating students with learning differences, Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1), ADHD, anxiety, and sensory integration challenges who have average to above-average intelligence but struggle in traditional large classroom environments. The core product is a college-preparatory program aligned with Texas TEKS standards, delivered through small class sizes (maximum 10 students for grades 4th-8th, maximum 12 for high school) using a multi-sensory teaching approach and individualized learning plans.

The school's technology stack is built on standard third-party platforms rather than proprietary AI systems: Google Classroom serves as the LMS for digital curriculum delivery (reaching approximately 60% of instruction by high school), and FACTS SIS (formerly RenWeb) functions as the school management information system coordinating grades, attendance, and parent communication. The proprietary Gator Range Book planner is a spiral-bound organizational tool developed by the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for students with executive function deficits. Supporting the academic program are social skills classes, extracurricular clubs, athletics through the North Texas Small Private School League, and an aftercare program. The school holds dual accreditation from SACS and Cognia.

The business model is tuition-driven with two primary revenue streams: annual tuition of $19,500 for grades 4th-8th and $21,620 for grades 9th-12th, plus ancillary aftercare services at $15 per day. Additional revenue includes a $800 annual non-refundable registration fee and $400 one-time enrollment testing fee. The school's go-to-market is sales-led through direct admissions: prospective families complete online inquiry forms, attend school tours, and students undergo three-day classroom visits before parent meetings with the Director. Recruitment relies on parent referrals, community reputation, and website inquiries, with rolling admissions allowing year-round enrollment. The school supplements tuition revenue through an annual "Giving Thanks" fundraising campaign and community rewards programs (Kroger, Tom Thumb, Box Tops, Office Depot, Compass).

Name

Great Lakes Academy

Legal name

Great Lakes Academy

Website

https://greatlakesacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Great Lakes Academy is a non-profit private school in Plano, Texas serving grades 4th-12th students with learning differences, ASD Level 1, ADHD, and anxiety. It offers small class sizes, multi-sensory teaching, and individualized instruction for families in the North Texas DFW Metroplex.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Private School (Grades 4-12)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs & Learning Differences Private Schools (EDAJABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB), Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Private school education
• Learning differences support
• Small class instruction
• Multi-sensory teaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Plano

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. Tuition: Annual tuition payments for students in grades 4th-12th. 4th-8th grade: $19,500; 9th-12th grade: $21,620 per year. Additional fees include $800 annual registration and $400 one-time enrollment testing fee for new students.
2. Aftercare Services: Structured aftercare program from 3:30-5:00 PM for working parents. Billed at $15 per day with a $3 per minute late fee for pickups after 5:00 PM.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Great Lakes Academy is a non-profit private school providing college-preparatory education for students in grades 4 through 12 who have learning differences, ASD Level 1, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory integration challenges. The school maintains small class sizes (maximum 10 students in grades 4–8 and 12 students in grades 9–12) and delivers a multi-sensory, differentiated curriculum aligned with Texas TEKS standards. Supporting offerings include structured social skills instruction, after-school care, athletics, extracurricular clubs, and Brigance-based diagnostic assessments for individualized Gap Plans.

Product overview

Great Lakes Academy is a non-profit private school offering a unified college-preparatory program for students in grades 4th-12th with learning differences. The core offering combines small classroom environments (max 10 students elementary/middle, max 12 high school), multi-sensory teaching curriculum, and social skills instruction within an accredited TEKS-aligned program. Supporting this core are administrative platforms including FACTS SIS for student information management and Google Classroom for digital learning delivery. Proprietary tools like the Gator Range Book support organizational skills development. Auxiliary services include after-school care, athletics, extracurricular clubs, and diagnostic assessment. The program is specifically designed for students with ASD Level 1, ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and sensory integration challenges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private School Education (Grades 4th-12th) College-preparatory private school program for students in grades 4th through 12th who benefit from low teacher/student ratios, small classrooms, and differentiated instruction. Designed for intellectually capable or gifted students who may not have succeeded in traditional environments due to learning differences, lack of individualized support, or need for specific structures.
• After School Care Structured aftercare program available Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing homework help, snacks, outdoor play, and games for working parents, billed at $15 per day with a $3 per minute late fee.
• Extracurricular Activities and Clubs After-school clubs including A/V Club, Drama Club, Running Club, Strategy Game Club, Arts and Crafts Club, Lego Builder Club, Photography Club, Music Production Club, and Student Senate for 8th-12th grade student government.
• Gator Athletics Program Athletic program with inclusion focus, offering High School Basketball, Volleyball, and Kickball through the North Texas Small Private School League, plus Gator Cheer for all skill levels.
• Diagnostic Assessment (Brigance Test) First-time enrollment testing (4th-9th grade) using the Brigance Test to identify mastered and unmastered basic skills, informing individualized Gap Plans and academic plans. Includes a $400 one-time enrollment testing fee.
• Social Skills Classes Structured social skills instruction for elementary through middle school, with continued emphasis on interpersonal communications and relationships throughout high school, addressing teamwork, cooperation, and building lasting peer connections.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FACTS (formerly RenWeb)coreTechnology or IntegrationFACTS provides a school management information system (SIS) that coordinates student grades, attendance, homework, and conduct information. Parents access this through a secure portal to view their children's academic progress. All GLA students are issued school email addresses to access FACTS SIS.
• Kroger Community RewardsminorOthersGLA participates in Kroger's community rewards program, allowing families to link their Kroger cards to the school so GLA earns a percentage of purchases.
• Tom Thumb Good Neighbor ProgramminorOthersGLA's school number is #9500. Families can link their saving cards at Tom Thumb service counters, allowing GLA to earn up to 1% of total purchases.
• Office Depot 5% Back to School ProgramminorOthersOffice Depot program allowing GLA to earn credit for free school/office supplies. GLA's identifying number is #70209190.
• Box Tops for EducationminorOthersDigital Box Tops program where families scan receipts using the Box Tops app and GLA earns credits for education supplies.
• Compass For Your CauseminorOthersBBVA Compass checking account program where family friends can open accounts associated with GLA, depositing $50 directly into GLA's account plus 0.25% of purchases made with the Compass Visa Check Card.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Churchill School and Center: Independent school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan serving grades K-12 students with learning disabilities. Matches GLA's individualized, small-class delivery model and serves an overlapping LD/ADHD population.
• The Lab School of Washington: Private school in Washington, D.C. serving grades 1-12 students with learning disabilities including dyslexia, ADHD, and executive function deficits. Uses small classes and individualized instruction in a directly comparable model.
• The Prentice School: Independent school in Tustin, CA serving grades K-12 students with learning differences, dyslexia, and ADHD. Matches GLA's small-class model, college-prep curriculum, and individualized learning plans for similar student profiles.
• The Forman School: Independent co-ed college preparatory school in Litchfield, CT serving grades 9-12 (and PG) students with learning differences, particularly dyslexia. Matches GLA's college-prep mission and LD-focused instruction model, though operates at a larger, residential scale.
• Eagle Hill School: Residential and day private school in Hardwick, MA for students ages 6-22 with language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, and executive function challenges. Closely aligned mission, curriculum, and student profile to Great Lakes Academy.
• The Vanguard School: Private special education school in Paoli, PA serving students with complex learning profiles including LD, ADHD, ASD, and anxiety. Comparable small-class, individualized instruction model aligned with GLA's mission.
• The Gow School: Residential and day school near Buffalo, NY for students grades 6-12 with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Comparable college-prep curriculum, small classes, and dedicated LD instructional methodology.
• The McLean School: Independent K-12 school in Potomac, MD serving students with language-based learning differences, ADHD, and anxiety. Uses small classes and differentiated instruction in a directly comparable approach to GLA.
• The Winston School: Private school in Dallas, TX serving students in grades 1-8 with learning differences, dyslexia, ADHD, and similar profiles. Operates in the same DFW market as Great Lakes Academy with overlapping target population and a directly comparable small-class, individualized instruction model.

Emerging players

• Cohn School for the Performing Arts (Learning Differences focus): Specialized schools in the DFW area serving learning-different students. Competes with GLA for similar local families and represents the kind of emerging regional specialty player that could compress GLA's market share in North Texas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-lakes-academy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Great Lakes Academy