LEAD Charter School

What LEAD Charter School does

LEAD Charter School is a tuition-free public charter high school founded in 2017 in Newark, New Jersey, operating as an initiative of the Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN). It is the state's first alternative charter high school focused on disconnection prevention and recovery, serving opportunity youth ages 16-21 who are not enrolled in traditional school or participating in the workforce. Approximately 20% of enrolled students are themselves parents, and the school provides wraparound supports including counseling, mental health services, childcare, and free meals. The school reports a 75% graduation rate among student cohorts, versus a 20% national average for opportunity youth re-engaging with education.

The core program integrates the YouthBuild youth workforce development model with two Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways: Construction Trades and Allied Health. Students earn a high school diploma alongside industry-recognized certifications including NCCER, OSHA 10, Solar Panel Installation, Phlebotomy (PTC), Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAC), and Basic Life Support (BLS). LEAD operates an on-site AMCA registered testing facility for national certification exams, supports a Newark EMS Corps program for first-responder training, and provides real-world worksite experience rehabilitating homes in Newark. The technology stack consists of standard K-12 ed-tech platforms (PowerSchool, Schoology, Summit Learning, Edgenuity, Performance Matters) with no proprietary AI or ML components.

LEAD is a nonprofit public charter school funded through NJ Department of Education per-pupil appropriations and supplemental grants; there is no tuition or fees. GTM is community-led: rolling admissions via the PowerSchool enrollment portal, with student acquisition driven by referrals from YouthBuild networks, NOYN partners, and community organizations. Demand exceeds capacity, with approximately one in four applicants placed. The school was renewed by the NJDOE for an additional five years and is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Craig Drinkard. Operating footprint is a single market (Newark, NJ) across two campuses (Washington Street operational, Central Avenue coming soon) with approximately 27 employees.

Name

LEAD Charter School

Legal name

LEAD Charter School

Website

https://leadcharterschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LEAD Charter School is a tuition-free public charter high school in Newark, NJ, serving opportunity youth ages 16-21 through the YouthBuild model, combining a high school diploma with industry-recognized CTE certifications in Construction Trades and Allied Health.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Secondary Education (Charter High School)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK), Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

Keywords

• Charter high school
• Alternative education
• Career technical education
• Youth workforce development
• Construction trades training

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: LEAD Charter School operates as a public charter high school funded through federal, state, and local education funding. The school is tuition-free to all students, indicating revenue comes from government education appropriations and per-pupil funding formulas typical of charter schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LEAD Charter School is a tuition-free public charter high school in Newark, New Jersey, serving opportunity youth ages 16-21 who are disconnected from traditional school or the workforce. The school delivers a combined high school diploma program with two career and technical education pathways—Construction Trades and Allied Health—through which students earn industry-recognized certifications (NCCER, OSHA 10, Phlebotomy, Clinical Medical Assistant, BLS) alongside academic instruction. Operating as a YouthBuild program school since 2017, it also provides wraparound support services such as counseling, mental health resources, free meals, and childcare for student parents.

Product overview

LEAD Charter School is a single-site public charter high school offering a unified educational program that combines high school diploma completion with career and technical education. As a YouthBuild program school, it provides two primary career pathways—Construction Trades and Allied Health—that feed into the core diploma program. Students receive industry-recognized certifications (NCCER, OSHA 10, Phlebotomy, Clinical Medical Assistant) alongside academic instruction. Additional offerings include the Newark EMS Corps program for first-responder training and comprehensive wraparound support services. The institution operates as one integrated program rather than separate products or modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High School Diploma Program A tuition-free public charter high school diploma program serving opportunity youth ages 16-21 who are disconnected from traditional school or workforce. Students earn a standard high school diploma combined with industry-recognized certifications.
• Construction Trades Career Pathway Hands-on training in plumbing, electrical, and carpentry with real worksite experience rehabilitating homes in Newark. Certifications include NCCER, Weatherization, OSHA 10, and Solar Panel Installation.
• Allied Health Career Pathway Healthcare career training with certifications in Phlebotomy Technician (PTC), Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAC), and Basic Life Support (BLS). Includes AMCA testing center for national certification exams.
• YouthBuild Model Program Youth workforce development program combining research-based education with proven youth development practices. Provides leadership development, personalized learning, and post-secondary planning for young people continuing education or beginning careers.
• Newark EMS Corps A five-month first responders job-training program for young people to become EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and firefighters. Includes paid training, certifications, job placement support, mentoring, and wraparound services.
• Wraparound Support Services Comprehensive student support including advocate counselors, mental health resources, free school meals, childcare for student parents, and alumni advocacy services to help students stay on track.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% graduation rate for student cohorts vs 20% national average for opportunity youth
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YouthBuild NewarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017LEAD is a YouthBuild school, implementing the YouthBuild model combining education with workforce development. YouthBuild Newark has been operating in Newark since 2003 and is an initiative of NOYN.
• District 1199J Training and Development FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare union administering DOL-approved pre-apprenticeship programs. Partnership provides extended education and workforce development services; administers CMA and CNA certifications through AMCA testing facility.
• NJ Opportunity Youth CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition of organizations dedicated to advocating for policy change to remove barriers that inhibit opportunity youth success. Member organizations include United Community Corporation, The HUBB Arts & Trauma Center, YouthBuild Newark, and Isles Youth Institute.
• Greater Newark ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental justice service learning partnership involving environmental, food, and racial justice education. Students participate in urban agriculture and community organizing projects.
• Community Food Bank of New JerseyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary training and certification partnership providing ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification and bulk production experience for graduates.
• GlassRootsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio Assistant Program teaching flameworking skills and glass artistry. Members of Newark Youth Workforce Collaborative offering entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Inspire DiagnosticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 testing partnership providing screenings and rapid tests with trained technicians on-site. PCR results within 24-48 hours, rapid results in 15 minutes.
• DoorDashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Credits program providing $5,000 in gift cards to support young people and families during pandemic with access to local meals.
• South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGifted 50 Dell Chromebooks to NOYN/LEAD students as part of Take on Race 'One Million Devices Now' campaign in collaboration with BRICK Education Network.
• NRP GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConstruction company providing internship opportunities for LEAD students. Grant from Prudential increases access to career pathways in construction.
• Abbott Leadership Institute (ALI) at Rutgers UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParents Empowered series: Building Your Family's Social and Emotional Learning Skills. Six-week parent training course in social-emotional development.
• My Brother's Keeper Newark (MBKN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative of NOYN focused on improving outcomes for boys and young men of color through advocacy, policy advancement, and collaborative action.
• PGIMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual PGIM Public Speaking event providing communication skills training and competition for students with industry professionals as judges.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KIPP Public Schools NJ: New Jersey charter school network operating multiple public charter campuses serving urban, low-income students including Newark. Comparable as a NJ-based public charter serving college-prep and alternative pathways for opportunity youth.
• Newark Public Schools (District Alternative Schools): Local public school district operating alternative and credit-recovery high school programs for disengaged and over-age youth in Newark. Most direct comparator as another locally-funded alternative education provider serving the same target population.
• Grace Beaufoy (NJ Public Schools): Public alternative high school in NJ serving at-risk and credit-deficient students. Comparable as a NJ-based public alternative high school serving opportunity youth with pathways to graduation.

Broad incumbents

• Uncommon Schools: Multi-state charter network serving low-income urban students with rigorous college-prep curricula, including campuses in Newark. Comparable as a public charter operator focused on underserved urban youth in the same NJ geography.
• YouthBuild USA (national network): National umbrella organization operating the YouthBuild model (education + construction trades + leadership development for opportunity youth ages 16-24). LEAD is a YouthBuild-affiliated school; comparable as a model operator but YouthBuild USA is the broader movement/coordinator.
• Green Dot Public Schools: Large charter management organization (CMO) operating public charter schools, including alternative and credit-recovery high school models targeting at-risk students in urban markets. Comparable in operating alternative/at-risk public charter high schools serving similar demographics.

Emerging players

• Year Up: National nonprofit workforce development program combining skills training, internships, and support services for opportunity youth ages 18-24. Comparable in serving disconnected youth through workforce-aligned pathways, though primarily post-secondary/older cohort and not a charter school.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and tech training for adults from underserved communities. Comparable in workforce-aligned credentialing for opportunity youth but focused on post-secondary tech training rather than K-12 alternative education.

Regional players

• JFY Networks (Boston): Regional alternative education network operating public charter high schools in Massachusetts serving at-risk and over-age students. Comparable as a regional nonprofit alternative charter operator with similar dual diploma + career certification model, though in different geography.

Others

• Southern New Hampshire University (Career Path): Adjacent post-secondary option for opportunity youth pursuing alternative education pathways to careers. Not a direct competitor but illustrates the broader alternative-education/credentialing ecosystem where LEAD graduates could continue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LEADCharterSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/lead-charter-school

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 LEAD Charter School