Lowell School
Lowell School is a nonprofit progressive PK-8 independent school in Washington, DC, serving about 300 students (ages 2.5-14) on an 8.5-acre campus with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and annual tuition of $44,500-$55,500.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersWashington, DC, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lowell School does
Lowell School is a private, nonprofit progressive independent school founded in 1965 in Washington, DC, serving approximately 300 students from Pre-Primary (age 2.5) through 8th grade on a single 8.5-acre campus in the Shepherd Park neighborhood of Northwest DC. The school delivers inquiry-based, emergent curriculum organized around three core academic divisions (Pre-Primary, Primary K-5, Middle School 6-8), with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, integrated STEAM education from Pre-Primary onward, dedicated maker space with 3D printers and laser cutters, and a technology footprint of 2:1 iPads in K-2 and 1:1 Chromebooks in grades 3-5 supported by an academic technologist. Specialized facilities include three science labs, three libraries, two art studios, an indoor pool, a black box theater, a gym, and Kalmia Creek with adjacent wetlands. More than one-third of enrolled families receive financial assistance.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition ($44,500-$55,500 for 2026-2027) supplemented by tiered after-care fees, three-route bus transportation, the Lowell Summer camp, enrichment programs (including community-facing swim lessons), facilities rental, an annual giving campaign (Joy at Lowell Fund), and endowment income. The school employs a sales-led admissions motion managed through the Ravenna platform, with information sessions, campus tours, and formal application cycles. Governance is provided by an independent Board of Directors under Head of School Donna Lindner (since 2019), and the institution is accredited by the Maryland Association of Independent Schools (1994). No public funding rounds, parent company, or external institutional investors are indicated.
Lowell School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lowell School
- Legal name
- Lowell School
- Website
- https://lowellschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Lowell School is a nonprofit progressive PK-8 independent school in Washington, DC, serving about 300 students (ages 2.5-14) on an 8.5-acre campus with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and annual tuition of $44,500-$55,500.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lowell School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private K-8 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Inquiry/Project-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAF)
Keywords
Where Lowell School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington, DC
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lowell School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for Pre-Primary, Kindergarten-5th Grade, and 6th-8th Grade programs. Tuition for 2026-2027 school year ranges from $44,500 (Pre-Primary) to $55,500 (Middle School). Payment plans available: one payment, two payments, or ten monthly payments.
- After Care Services: Before Care (free from 7:30 am) and After Care program (fee-based) running through 6 pm. Fees range from $550/year (Wednesdays only, Middle School) to $5,225/year (five days/week, Pre-Primary/Primary School).
- Transportation Services: Point-to-point bus service with routes covering East, Central, and West DC/Maryland areas. Round-trip fees are $1,500/year per rider, one-way is $1,100/year, and drop-in is $10/trip.
- Lowell Summer Camp: Summer camp programs for Pre-K through 8th grade with sessions running June through August. Includes field trips, specialty camps, and enrichment programs.
- Enrichment Programs: After-school minicourses, music lessons, and swimming lessons available to students and community members.
- Facilities Rental: Campus facilities including gym, pool, and outdoor spaces available for rental to external parties.
- Annual Giving (Joy at Lowell Fund): Annual fund donations supporting operating budget, teacher salaries, financial assistance, and program development. The Fundraising Fête raised over $185,000 in 2023 supporting financial aid.
- Endowment Income: Multiple named endowment funds generating income for teacher salaries, financial assistance, staff development, and general operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Pre-Primary School (Ages 2.5-5) |
| Subscription | Annual | Kindergarten through 5th Grade |
| Subscription | Annual | 6th through 8th Grade (Middle School) |
| Subscription | Annual | After Care - Five Days Per Week |
| Subscription | Annual | After Care - Four Days Per Week |
| Subscription | Annual | After Care - Three Days Per Week |
| Subscription | Annual | After Care - Two Days Per Week |
| Subscription | Annual | After Care - Wednesdays Only |
| Subscription | Annual | Bus Service - Round Trip |
| Subscription | Annual | Bus Service - One Way |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bus Service - Drop In |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lowell School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lowell School is a progressive independent PK-8 school in Washington, DC delivering inquiry-based, emergent curriculum education across three divisions: Pre-Primary (ages 2.5-5), Primary School (K-5), and Middle School (6-8). The school offers integrated STEAM, arts, humanities, Spanish, social-emotional learning, and dedicated makerspace instruction, supplemented by auxiliary services including Before/After Care, Athletics, Enrichment programs, bus Transportation, Learning Support, and Lowell Summer camp.
Product overview
Lowell School is a progressive PK-8 educational institution serving approximately 300 students from ages 2½ through 8th grade. The school operates as a unified educational platform consisting of three core divisions: Pre-Primary School (ages 2½-5), Primary School (Kindergarten-5th grade), and Middle School (6th-8th grade). These divisions are supported by supplementary programs including Before and After Care, Athletics (soccer, basketball, swimming, track, lacrosse, baseball, cross-country), Enrichment (music lessons, minicourses, swimming lessons), Transportation (three bus routes), Learning Support services, and Lowell Summer camp. The school is located on an 8.5-acre campus in Northwest Washington, DC with specialized facilities including science labs, art studios, maker space, an indoor pool, and theater.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pre-Primary School Early childhood education program for children starting at age 2.5, celebrating children as learners, nurturing natural curiosity, and supporting social-emotional growth in preparation for Kindergarten. Tuition for 2026-2027 is $44,500/year.
- Primary School Kindergarten through 5th grade program where students are valued as unique individuals and community members, with teachers working in small instructional groups to meet individual learning needs. Tuition for 2026-2027 is $52,500/year.
- Middle School 6th through 8th grade program empowering students to grow into their best selves, identify academic strengths and goals, and positively impact their classes and communities. Includes humanities, mathematics, science, Spanish, arts, the Delta advisory program, and high school preparation including SSAT prep and interview coaching. Tuition for 2026-2027 is $55,500/year.
- Lowell Summer Camp Summer camp program offering themed activities, field trips, and specialty camps for Pre-K through 8th grade students, running June through August.
- Before and After Care Extended child care services before school starting at 7:30 AM (free) and after school through 6 PM, Monday through Friday. After Care fees range from $550/year (Wednesdays only, Middle School) to $5,225/year (five days/week, Pre-Primary/Primary School) with multiple day options.
- Athletics Program Inclusive athletics program offering soccer, basketball, track and field, swimming, lacrosse, baseball, and cross-country for students in 2nd through 8th grade, including the Lionfish competitive swim team.
- Enrichment Programs After-school enrichment including minicourses (chess, arts, yoga, Dungeons and Dragons), music lessons, and swimming lessons for Primary and Middle School students and the broader community.
- Transportation Services Point-to-point bus service with three routes (East, Central, West) covering DC and Maryland areas, serving students from Pre-Primary through 8th grade. Round-trip fees are $1,500/year per rider, one-way is $1,100/year, and drop-in is $10/trip.
- Learning Support Student support services including accommodations, small group instruction, co-teaching model, and Universal Design for Learning to support diverse learners across the PK-8 program.
- Campus Facilities Rental Campus facilities including gym, pool, and outdoor spaces available for rental to external parties, leveraging the school's 8.5-acre campus with three science labs, three libraries, two art studios, maker space, three playgrounds, indoor pool, black box theater, and gym.
Quantifiable outcome
- 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures individualized attention
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lowell School
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lowell School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature4 records
Lowell School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- RavennacoreRavenna is the admissions management platform used by Lowell School to manage the application process from inquiry through decision. Families create profiles in Ravenna, submit applications, and track their admissions status through this platform.
- ClaritycoreClarity is the financial aid application platform used by Lowell School. Families apply for financial aid through Clarity starting September 1, with deadlines in December for current families and January for prospective families.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lowell School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Norwood School: Independent PK-8 school in Bethesda, MD with progressive, student-centered curriculum. Comparable in mission scope (PK-8 only), size, and price tier to Lowell.
- Lab School of Washington: Progressive independent K-12 school in Washington, DC. Overlaps with Lowell in mission, geographic market, and progressive pedagogy, though with a stronger focus on learning differences.
- Sidwell Friends School: Elite PK-12 private independent school in Washington, DC, with a progressive Quaker tradition. Directly comparable to Lowell as a high-tuition DC independent school competing for the same affluent family pool.
- St. Andrew's Episcopal School: PK-12 independent school in Potomac, MD with progressive tradition. Comparable in tuition tier and PK-8 progressive education model, with geographic overlap in the DC metro.
- Maret School: Independent PK-12 school in Northwest Washington, DC with progressive education philosophy and comparable tuition. Direct competitor for families seeking nonsectarian, progressive PK-8 education.
- Georgetown Day School: Progressive PK-12 independent school in Washington, DC with explicit emphasis on social justice, DEIB, and progressive pedagogy. Operates in the same admissions market and price tier as Lowell.
- Potomac School: Independent K-12 school in McLean, VA with progressive, inquiry-based curriculum. Comparable size, methodology, and premium tuition positioning in the DC metro market.
- Washington International School: Independent PK-12 school in Washington, DC with progressive, international curriculum. Overlaps with Lowell on PK-8 progressive education in the same city and price tier.
- The Langley School: Independent PK-8 school in McLean, VA using progressive, inquiry-based methods. Comparable size, mission, and tuition to Lowell, with similar feeder-school positioning.
- Beauvoir School: PK-3 progressive independent school at the National Cathedral in Northwest DC. Directly comparable as a primary-feeder progressive school in the same DC neighborhood.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lowell School social profiles
Digital presenceLowell School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lowell School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Lowell School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lowell 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 Lowell School
What does Lowell School do?
Lowell School is a progressive independent PK-8 school in Washington, DC delivering inquiry-based, emergent curriculum education across three divisions: Pre-Primary (ages 2.5-5), Primary School (K-5), and Middle School (6-8). The school offers integrated STEAM, arts, humanities, Spanish, social-emotional learning, and dedicated makerspace instruction, supplemented by auxiliary services including Before/After Care, Athletics, Enrichment programs, bus Transportation, Learning Support, and Lowell Summer camp.
Is Lowell School a public or private company?
Lowell School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lowell School founded?
Lowell School was founded in 1965. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Lowell School based?
Lowell School is headquartered in Washington, DC, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lowell School make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Tuition Revenue is the primary driver. The others are after Care Services, transportation Services, lowell Summer Camp, enrichment Programs, facilities Rental, annual Giving (Joy at Lowell Fund) and endowment Income.
Who are Lowell School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Norwood School, Lab School of Washington, Sidwell Friends School, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Maret School, Georgetown Day School, Potomac School, Washington International School, The Langley School and Beauvoir School.
Does Lowell School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lowell School.
What industry is Lowell School in?
Lowell School's product category is Private K-8 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools, with a secondary code of EDACADAF, Inquiry/Project-Based Early Learning Academies. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.