Pace Academy

What Pace Academy does

Pace Academy is a private, non-profit, college-preparatory day school founded in 1958 and located on a 34-acre main campus at 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, with a 24-acre Riverview Sports Complex and an 8-acre Warren Road baseball/softball complex bringing total footprint to approximately 58 acres. The school serves 1,150 students across three academic divisions: Lower School (Kam Memar Lower School, Pre-First through 5th grade, 380 students), Middle School (Garcia Family Middle School, grades 6-8, 285 students), and Upper School (Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School, grades 9-12, 485 students), supported by a faculty and staff complement of approximately 270-456 depending on definitional cut, with an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and faculty averaging 17 years of teaching experience.

The core academic product spans 25 AP classes and 20 honors classes in the Upper School (with 100% AP participation and a 92% pass rate), a three-counselor college counseling office, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) cross-divisional program with 41 community partners and study tours, an Academic Resource Center, two libraries (Soni Family Library and Woodruff Library), and 41 athletic teams including 26 varsity squads that have produced 21 GHSA state championships over the past five years. The technology stack is composed of off-the-shelf education platforms (Google Classroom, Finalsite CMS, Ravenna Hub for admissions, Vidigami for photo sharing, Scoir for college rep scheduling, Clarity for financial aid, NFHS Network for livestreaming, and Juicer for social aggregation) with no proprietary technology or AI/ML components.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition ($37,360 for Lower School and $43,020 for Middle and Upper School for the 2026-2027 academic year) and recurring grade-level fees ($1,300-$2,000 in Middle School, $1,600-$2,500 in Upper School), supplemented by $5.1 million in annual need-based financial aid funded through The Pace Fund annual giving program, auxiliary programs (Knight Crew after-school care at $100-$250/month, summer programs, campus store), and capital campaigns (most recently the multi-phase Accelerate Pace campaign). Admissions are managed through a structured sales-led motion involving Ravenna Hub applications, October-February campus tours, November open houses, shadow visits for 6th and 9th grade applicants, and Leadership Series webinars, with a February 1 application deadline for the following academic year.

Name

Pace Academy

Legal name

Pace Academy

Website

https://paceacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Pace Academy is a private non-profit K-12 college preparatory school in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood, serving 1,150 students from Pre-First through 12th grade across three divisions. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition ($37,360-$43,020 annually) and supplemented by annual giving, financial aid, and auxiliary programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments. Lower School (Pre-First through Fifth Grade) costs $37,360 annually; Middle & Upper School (Sixth through 12th Grade) costs $43,020 annually for 2026-2027 school year. Tuition covers lunch, school accident insurance, science and computer lab fees, school publications, academic extracurricular field trips, and books (Pre-First through grade 5).
2. Fees and Non-Tuition Essentials: Additional charges dependent on grade level and activities including textbooks (grades 6-12), class dues, PE uniforms, athletics and art fees, class trips, and AP exam fees. Middle School ranges $1,300-$2,000; Upper School ranges $1,600-$2,500.
3. Financial Aid: School awards over $5.1 million annually in need-based financial aid to approximately 37% of students. Funding comes from generous donors, endowed funds, annual giving, tax credits, faculty support, and the Pace Access Fund.
4. The Pace Fund (Annual Giving): Annual giving program providing vital resources for academic and global leadership programming, arts, athletics, faculty professional development, and need-based financial aid. Donor recognition tiers include Lancelot Society ($20,000+), Knights Circle ($10,000-$19,000), Sword & Shield ($5,000-$9,999), and Nobles ($2,500-$4,999).
5. Auxiliary Programs: Revenue from Knight Crew after-school care program ($100-$250/month), summer programs, and campus store merchandise sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pace Academy is a private, nonprofit, college preparatory school serving 1,150 students from Pre-First through 12th grade across three academic divisions: Lower School (Kam Memar, 380 students), Middle School (Garcia Family, 285 students), and Upper School (Arthur M. Blank Family, 485 students). The school delivers rigorous academics, the signature Isdell Center for Global Leadership program, comprehensive arts and athletics offerings, and college counseling, supported by a faculty with 17 years average experience and an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Operations are funded primarily through tuition (Lower School $37,360/year; Middle & Upper School $43,020/year for 2026-2027) and annual giving via the Pace Fund.

Product overview

Pace Academy is a private college preparatory school serving 1,150 students in Pre-First through 12th grade across three academic divisions: Lower School (Pre-First to 5th grade, 380 students), Middle School (grades 6-8, 285 students), and Upper School (grades 9-12, 485 students). The school operates from its iconic main campus with the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School, Garcia Family Middle School, and Kam Memar Lower School facilities. Core academic programs are supported by the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) for global education, the Academic Resource Center for learning support, and comprehensive college counseling services. Auxiliary offerings include summer programs, Knight Crew after-school care, athletics (41 teams), fine arts, and mental wellness services. The school maintains two library facilities (Soni Family Library for Lower School, Woodruff Library for Upper/Middle School) and publishes the quarterly KnightTimes magazine. Development operations include the Pace Fund annual giving program and campus store. Admissions and financial aid processes are managed through Ravenna and Clarity platforms respectively.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL): A signature program at Pace that cultivates global competency and leadership capabilities among students through annual global themes, study tours, and community engagement.
• The Pace Fund
• Knights

Products and services

• Lower School (Kam Memar Lower School) Early education program for Pre-First through 5th grade serving 380 students in the Kam Memar facility, with homeroom instruction plus specialist teachers for STEAM, music, strings, Spanish, library, and physical education, and character education through the Noble Knights program.
• Middle School (Garcia Family Middle School) Middle school program for grades 6-8 serving 285 students with rigorous curriculum including English, math, history, science, world languages (French, Latin, Spanish), electives (band, chorus, strings, STEAM), physical education, ICGL Minimester courses, and Discovery courses.
• Upper School (Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School) College preparatory program for grades 9-12 serving 485 students with 25 AP classes, 20 honors classes, 100% AP exam participation, the Pathways program for 9th graders, the dean system, the INSTEAD drug awareness program, and Academic Resource Center support.
• Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) Signature global education program spanning all three divisions, exploring annual themes through curricular activities, 41 community partnerships, scholar-in-residence programming, leadership fellowships, internships, community engagement, and domestic and international study tours.
• College Counseling Three full-time college counselors providing extensive resources for students and parents, with relationships managed through the Scoir platform where college representatives schedule on-campus visits, supporting students through the application and selection process.
• Athletics Program Comprehensive sports program featuring 26 varsity sports teams and 41 total teams in the Upper School, 95% Middle School team sport participation, and 21 GHSA state championships over the past five years, supported by the Riverview Sports Complex and Warren Road baseball/softball complex.
• Fine Arts Program Visual and performing arts including theater (three productions annually), music (chorus, vocal ensembles, band, orchestra), and visual arts, supported by the 1990-opened Fine Arts Center, with 100% Middle School arts participation.
• Summer Programs Summer camps hosted on the Pace Academy campus including Wood Wizards, Magic Dance Kingdom, basketball, math camp, self-care, sewing, and filmmaking programs for various age groups.
• Knight Crew After-School Care After-school care program for Pre-First through 5th grade students with optional daily attendance (Pre-First 2:15-3:30 p.m. at $100/month or $25/session drop-in; Grades 1-5 3:30-6 p.m. at $250/month or $35/session drop-in), providing supervision and activities.
• Campus Store On-campus store inside Boyd Gymnasium selling Pace spirit wear and school essentials, with online uniform ordering through the official Lands' End school store.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% AP exam participation with 92% scoring 3 or higher
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Paces Neighborhood Association (WPNA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Partnership with West Paces Neighborhood Association to refine and gain approval for the Master Campus Plan. WPNA collaboration addresses safety, parking, accessibility, and athletics while maintaining enrollment and preserving campus footprint. Joint effort for zoning process with City of Atlanta for planned 2026 projects.
• Ravenna HubcoreTechnology or IntegrationRavenna Hub serves as the online admissions management platform for Pace Academy. Families create accounts to inquire, schedule campus visits, and apply to the school.
• ClaritycoreTechnology or IntegrationClarity is Pace Academy's financial aid partner, providing impartial evaluation of family financial need using holistic approach considering assets, family size, and other dependents beyond just income.
• Lands' EndminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Lands' End school store for Pace Academy uniforms. Middle and Upper School students wear uniforms on special days.
• Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools (AAAIS)coreOthersMember of AAAIS along with other Atlanta independent schools. AAAIS membership prohibits financial aid awards exceeding calculated need.
• Georgia Independent School Association (GISA)coreOthersState-level membership organization for Georgia independent schools.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)coreOthersNational membership organization for independent schools.
• Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)coreOthersAccrediting body for Pace Academy.
• Cognia (formerly SACS)coreOthersAccrediting body formerly known as Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Georgia High School Association (GHSA)coreOthersAthletics conference membership. Pace competes in GHSA for varsity sports.
• College BoardcoreOthersPace is a member of the College Entrance Examination Board for AP courses and college entrance exams.
• 41 Community Partners (ICGL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partners supporting the Isdell Center for Global Leadership through curricular, co-curricular, and hands-on activities, global partnerships, and community engagement projects.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Lovett School: Atlanta independent K-12 school serving ~1,800 students. Competes with Pace for the same metro Atlanta families, with comparable AP breadth, athletics, and tuition pricing.
• Marist School: Catholic independent K-12 school in Atlanta with strong college-prep, AP, and athletics offerings. Competes for the same metro Atlanta applicant pool at similar price points.
• Atlanta International School: Independent K-12 school in Atlanta with IB and global-focused curriculum. Closest functional analog to Pace's ICGL global-leadership positioning.
• Holy Innocents' Episcopal School: Independent K-12 Episcopal school in Atlanta with similar college-preparatory focus, athletics, and arts programs. Directly comparable in scale and price tier to Pace.
• The Westminster Schools: Atlanta independent K-12 school in Buckhead serving ~1,900 students with strong college-prep, athletics, and arts programs. Most direct local competitor to Pace, sharing the same feeder market and tuition tier.
• Woodward Academy: Large independent K-12 school in metro Atlanta (College Park) with college-prep, AP, and athletic programs comparable to Pace. Overlaps significantly in target families and pricing.

Regional players

• Greater Atlanta Christian School: Large independent K-12 school in Norcross, GA. Similar college-prep, AP, and athletics programs but serves a different north-metro submarket than Pace.
• Wesleyan School: Independent K-12 Christian school in Peachtree Corners, GA. Comparable in college-prep focus and price tier but draws from a different north-Atlanta submarket than Pace.

Broad incumbents

• Sidwell Friends School: Elite national independent K-12 school in Washington, D.C. Comparable outcomes profile (college placement, AP breadth, global programs) and tuition tier; relevant as a peer on outcomes and positioning rather than direct competition.

Others

• National Association of Independent Schools: Industry association of which Pace is a member. Relevant as ecosystem context for benchmarking peer independent schools on accreditation standards, financial-aid policies, and operational best practices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/paceacademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/officialpaceacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/paceacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/pace-academy
• Instagraminstagram.com/paceacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Pace Academy