North Cross School

What North Cross School does

North Cross School is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational, college-preparatory institution founded in 1944 and headquartered at 4254 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia, with two additional campuses in Shanghai, China. The school delivers a continuous JK-12 program organized into four divisions — Early Childhood (ages 3-5), Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12) — and serves approximately 575 students annually, including a boarding cohort of international students. The core technology stack is administrative rather than product-oriented, relying on the FACTS student information and family portal for enrollment, financial aid, and parent communication, while instruction is delivered through traditional classroom methods enriched by specialized programs such as the Singapore Math curriculum (Lower School), the self-paced "No Ceilings" English program (Middle School), 21 AP courses (Upper School), and the CrossWalk program for students with language-based learning disabilities using the Orton Gillingham methodology. International student support — including SEVIS coordination, residential life through partner Wilson International LLC, and English language support — is positioned alongside three transcript-designation distinctions (STEM, Global Studies, Fine Arts) as differentiated offerings.

The school's business model is a combination of recurring tuition subscriptions and philanthropic contributions. Tuition is published annually by grade band, ranging from $14,900 for JK3 (5-day) to $26,400 for Upper School day and $44,900 for boarding, with additional fees for extended day, after-school care, and enrichment courses. Application fees of $85 (domestic) and $135 (international) plus a $1,000 international student deposit round out enrollment revenue. The Tailored Tuition financial aid program covers over 25% of families at an average ~65% discount, indicating meaningful price elasticity in the customer base. Revenue is supplemented by charitable donations through the North Cross Fund, the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits Program (EISTCP, with a $320,000 annual goal and a $2,500 minimum foundation gift), planned giving, corporate sponsorships, and stock gifts processed via Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Globe Life Liberty National Division has been the largest EISTCP donor for three consecutive years at $150,000 per year ($450,000 cumulative), and a $750,000 anonymous parent gift to the Annual Fund in December 2023 was the largest single donation in the school's 79-year history, supporting CrossWalk and faculty professional development.

The institution is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees under Head of School Armistead Lemon '95, with an Advancement function led by Assistant Head of School for Advancement William Greer (appointed 2022) and Director of Operations and Strategy for Advancement Tia Byrd (appointed 2024 from a 17-year tenure at Washington and Lee). Enrollment and strategic initiatives are managed by Director Matthew Gilliland (appointed 2020 from Asheville School). With 142 employees, the school is sized as a mid-sized independent day-and-boarding operation that depends on a diversified mix of tuition, financial aid-funded enrollment, donor cultivation, and state-administered tax credit flows rather than any single revenue concentration.

Name

North Cross School

Legal name

North Cross School

Website

https://northcross.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Private Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB), Overseas Boarding School Enrollment & Placement (EDAIAHAA), School-Age Wraparound Childcare Centers (Holiday/Break Care) (EDACAAAL)

Keywords

• Independent school education
• College preparatory programs
• K-12 private schooling
• Boarding school services
• Primary secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue source from tuition for early childhood through 12th grade programs. Day tuition and boarding tuition rates are published annually. Additional fees for after-school care, extended day, and specific courses apply.
2. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: Annual giving through the North Cross Fund, planned giving, stock gifts, corporate sponsorships, and foundation tax credits program. Major gifts include $750,000 to CrossWalk program and $150,000 from Globe Life through EISTCP.
3. Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits Program (EISTCP): Virginia state program allowing approved schools to receive funding for eligible students. Donors receive 65% tax credit. Minimum foundation gift is $2,500, annual goal is $320,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

North Cross School is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational, college-preparatory day and boarding school that delivers academic instruction from early childhood (age 3) through 12th grade. Its offering is organized across Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12) divisions, with specialized programs including the CrossWalk language-based learning disabilities program, STEM/Global Studies/Fine Arts distinction tracks, 21 AP courses, college counseling, athletics, arts, an international boarding program, and after-school and summer enrichment.

Product overview

North Cross School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day and boarding school offering a unified educational program from early childhood (age 3) through 12th grade. The school provides a comprehensive academic curriculum organized by division (Early Childhood, Lower School K-5, Middle School 6-8, Upper School 9-12), with specialized programs including the CrossWalk language-based learning disabilities program, and three concentrated distinction tracks (STEM, Global Studies, and Fine Arts) in the Upper School. The school also offers boarding facilities for international students, after-school care, summer programs, athletics, arts, and a Tailored Tuition financial assistance program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program
• Lower School (Grades K-5)
• Middle School (Grades 6-8)
• Upper School (Grades 9-12)
• CrossWalk Program
• Boarding Program
• College Counseling
• Athletics Program
• Arts Program
• International Student Support Services Comprehensive support services for international students including academic advising, evening study halls, English language support, residential life assistance, SEVIS coordination, international student orientation, and visa support.
• After-School Care Programs
• Summer Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Small class sizes with 8:1 student-teacher ratio and average of 13 students per Upper School class
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wilson International LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoarding provider that offers agreement contracts to families of international students seeking residential life services. Provides Interim Director of Residential Life support.
• Chick-fil-A SalemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• Munro Byrd P.C.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• Marsh McLennan AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• Roanoke Valley OrthodonticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• Sugar MagnoliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• The Green TeamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• Virginia Varsity Transfer & StorageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of North Cross School
• Hollins UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for faculty professional development. North Cross budget includes tuition assistance for faculty working towards master's degrees at Hollins.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Carlisle School: Independent college-preparatory school in Martinsville, VA serving grades JK-12 with day programs. Comparable as a Virginia independent school with a similar JK-12 day model, though without a significant boarding program; serves an overlapping regional catchment.

Direct peers

• Woodberry Forest School: All-boys independent boarding school in Madison, VA serving grades 9-12. Comparable as a Virginia-based college-preparatory boarding school competing for the same domestic and international boarding families.
• Hargrave Military Academy: Independent coeducational boarding school in Chatham, VA serving grades 7-12 plus post-graduate. Comparable Virginia-based boarding college-prep school with structured residential life, competing for similar domestic and international boarding families.
• Virginia Episcopal School: Independent, coeducational college-preparatory boarding and day school in Lynchburg, VA serving grades 9-12. Directly comparable in geography, boarding/day model, and college-prep positioning.
• Episcopal High School: Independent boarding school in Alexandria, VA serving grades 9-12 with strong college-prep reputation. Comparable as a Virginia-based college-preparatory boarding school competing for the same applicant pool, particularly international families.
• Steward School: Independent JK-12 college-preparatory school in Richmond, VA offering day programs. Directly comparable in geography and independent-school positioning; Assistant Director Jamiel Allen is a graduate and former coach there.
• Baylor School: Independent, coeducational boarding and day school in Chattanooga, TN serving grades 6-12. Comparable mid-sized college-preparatory boarding/day school with athletics emphasis and international student recruitment.
• Chatham Hall: Independent girls' boarding and day school in Chatham, VA serving grades 9-12. Comparable as a Virginia-based college-preparatory boarding school recruiting domestic and international students.
• Asheville School: Independent, coeducational boarding and day school in Asheville, NC serving grades 9-12. Directly comparable to North Cross as a mid-sized college-preparatory boarding school with international student recruitment; Director of Enrollment Matthew Gilliland was previously Director of International Recruitment there.
• Salem Academy: Independent girls' boarding and day school in Winston-Salem, NC serving grades 9-12. Comparable mid-sized college-preparatory boarding/day school with international student recruitment and Virginia/Tennessee Valley competition overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFX62HWy9pb5p0Pxh6TjlKw
• Instagraminstagram.com/wilson_boarding
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/north-cross-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 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 North Cross School