Paul Cuffee Charter School
Paul Cuffee School is a Providence, Rhode Island public charter school serving approximately 798 K-12 students across three campuses, distinguished by a maritime-themed curriculum and college-preparatory academics. It is funded primarily through state per-pupil allocations and philanthropic donations, charging no tuition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersProvidence, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Paul Cuffee Charter School does
Paul Cuffee Charter School is a public charter school in Providence, Rhode Island, serving approximately 798 K-12 students across three campuses — Lower School (K-5) at 459 Promenade Street, Middle School (6-8) at 30 Barton Street, and Upper School (9-12) at 544 Elmwood Avenue. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Cyril O. Burke following a 2000 charter approval from the Rhode Island Department of Education, the school admits students through a state-monitored random lottery held each spring, with siblings of current students receiving enrollment preference. It receives over 1,000 applications annually for roughly 60 kindergarten openings, with limited additional openings in 6th and 9th grades. The school's distinguishing curricular feature is a maritime theme integrated across grade levels, encompassing sailing experiences, marine science, boat design, and partnerships with Save the Bay, the Community Boating Center, the Herreshoff Marine Museum, the University of Rhode Island, and Greenwich Bay Sailing Association.
The academic program combines Common Core-aligned curricula — EL Education literacy, Eureka Math, GEMSnet/Open SciEd science, and Odell English Language Arts — with AP coursework (English Language, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Spanish Language, Statistics, Studio Art, US Government) and proficiency-based graduation requirements at the upper school. Average class sizes of 20-21 students support an inclusion-based special education model serving 12% of students, alongside English Language Learner supports for 22% multi-language learners. 87% of students qualify for Free/Reduced Price Lunch and 97% are students of color. Operational technology is a conventional SaaS stack: Skyward (student information system), ParentSquare (family communication), MyMealtime (meal payments), Lexia (adaptive reading), and a web-based virtual library. The school maintains three school libraries, three registered nurses, and a co-op athletics program with St. Patrick School.
As a publicly-funded charter school, Paul Cuffee derives primary revenue from per-pupil state and municipal funding from Rhode Island and Providence — a formula that notably excludes building purchase, rental, maintenance, or improvement costs. Revenue is supplemented by philanthropic donations channeled through the Rhode Island Foundation (which manages the David C. Burnham Maritime Fund, Rosalind C. Wiggins Fund, and Earl N. Smith III Memorial Scholarship), the annual Paul Cuffee Fund (~$30,000 campaign goal), DonorsChoose, ShopRaise, Stop & Shop's Community Bag program, and Box Tops for Education. Modest income-based after-school enrichment fees represent a small additional stream. The school is governed by an independent Board of Trustees led by President Kevin Briggs, with Vice President Brian Gagnon and Treasurer Babak Taleghani, meeting nine times annually. The institution is currently in a leadership transition following the April 2026 appointment of Dr. Sandra Forand as Superintendent, selected via a search conducted by the Northeast Education Consultant Group.
Paul Cuffee Charter School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Paul Cuffee Charter School
- Legal name
- Paul Cuffee School
- Website
- https://paulcuffee.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Paul Cuffee School is a Providence, Rhode Island public charter school serving approximately 798 K-12 students across three campuses, distinguished by a maritime-themed curriculum and college-preparatory academics. It is funded primarily through state per-pupil allocations and philanthropic donations, charging no tuition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Paul Cuffee Charter School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Charter School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB), Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)
Keywords
Where Paul Cuffee Charter School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Providence
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Paul Cuffee Charter School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- State and Municipal Funding: Primary funding comes from the State of Rhode Island and City of Providence based on per-pupil funding formulas for public charter schools. State funding formula for public charter schools does not include costs for purchasing, renting, maintaining or improving school buildings.
- Philanthropic Donations and Fundraising: The school relies on mission-aligned community partnerships and philanthropic relationships to support exceptional instruction, resources, and enrichment opportunities. Annual campaigns, one-time donations, planned gifts, and corporate sponsorships supplement state/city funding.
- After-School Program Fees: After-school enrichment programs charge fees based on household income and eligibility for free and reduced lunches.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | After-School Club (K-8) - Income-based fees |
| Subscription | Monthly | School Meals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Paul Cuffee Charter School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Paul Cuffee School is a public charter school serving approximately 800 K-12 students across three campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, with admission through a state-monitored lottery. The school offers college-preparatory academics with a unique maritime-themed curriculum integrating sailing, marine science, and environmental stewardship, alongside AP courses, special education services, athletics, after-school enrichment, and comprehensive health and library services. It operates tuition-free, funded primarily by state and municipal per-pupil allocations and philanthropic support.
Product overview
Paul Cuffee School is a public charter school (K-12) with a maritime theme, offering a unified educational program across three school levels: Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12). The school provides rigorous academic curricula including EL Education literacy, Eureka Math, GEMSnet/Open SciEd science, and Odell English Language Arts. Specialized programs include Special Education services, Academic Support (tutoring, Summer Academy), After School Enrichment, Athletics, Library Services with special collections, and comprehensive Health Services. The maritime theme curriculum incorporates partnerships with Save the Bay and Community Boating Center. All programs support college preparation through AP courses and career readiness via advisory programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lower School Program (Grades K-5)
- Middle School Program (Grades 6-8)
- Upper School Program (Grades 9-12)
- After School Enrichment Program (K-12)
- Athletics Program
- Special Education Services
- Academic Support Programs
- Library Services
- Health Services
- Family Engagement Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 88% of first graduating class (2014) pursued higher education
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Paul Cuffee Charter School
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Paul Cuffee Charter School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature1 record
Paul Cuffee Charter School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Northeast Education Consultant GroupcoreEngaged to lead the superintendent search process for the Paul Cuffee Charter School District Board of Trustees.
- Save the BaycorePartnership for maritime education and Narragansett Bay ecology. Students benefit from visits, lectures, and shipboard experiences with emphasis on marine science and environmental stewardship.
- University of Rhode IslandcoreAcademic partnership supporting maritime experiences and marine science education for students through lectures and educational programs.
- Community Boating CentercoreSailing program partner offering older students opportunities to participate in sailing activities that build confidence and life skills while reinforcing academic learning.
- Herreshoff Marine MuseumsupportingSailing and maritime education opportunities for students through visits and educational programs at the museum in Bristol.
- Greenwich Bay Sailing AssociationsupportingSailing opportunities for students as part of the maritime theme program.
- Rocky Hill School SEA ProgramsupportingMaritime education partnership providing students with sailing and marine science experiences.
- St. Patrick SchoolcoreCo-op athletic partnership for Upper School athletics including Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Basketball, Softball, and Baseball.
- Rhode Island FoundationcoreManages endowed funds including the David C. Burnham Maritime Fund, Rosalind C. Wiggins Fund, and Earl N. Smith III Memorial Scholarship Fund. Has helped raise over $30,000 for the ENSIII Memorial Scholarship.
- DonorsChoosesupportingPlatform allowing supporters to fund specific teacher-created classroom projects and creative initiatives.
- Stop & ShopsupportingCommunity Bag program where $1 is donated to the school for each specially designed reusable bag purchased.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Paul Cuffee Charter School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Hope High School: Providence public high school serving the same demographic pool as Paul Cuffee's Upper School. Not a direct competitor (district school, not lottery-based), but a relevant alternative for Providence families evaluating secondary options.
- Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College: Rhode-Island public charter high school with a health-care/nursing career pathway. Operates within the same RI charter regulatory framework and per-pupil funding model, but with a specialized CTE focus rather than a maritime theme.
Direct peers
- Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy: Rhode-Island-based public charter school network serving K-12 students in Cumberland and Lincoln. Closest geographic and mission peer to Paul Cuffee; competes for the same lottery applicants and Rhode Island charter funding. Mentioned in PCS's own Middle School Principal's prior experience.
- International Charter School: Providence-based public charter school serving K-8 with an international studies theme. Competes for the same Providence families in the lottery process and operates under the same RI per-pupil funding model.
- The Compass School: Independent public charter school in Kingston, RI serving K-12. Comparable in structure (single-network RI charter), lottery admissions, and mission of providing a non-traditional rigorous education to Rhode Island families.
- Highlander Charter School: Providence-based public charter school serving grades K-12, with lottery-based admissions open to Providence residents. Direct geographic and structural peer competing in the same Providence family pool.
Broad incumbents
- Uncommon Schools: Northeast-based nonprofit charter management organization operating college-prep schools in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Comparable in serving urban, high-need populations with a college-prep focus, and in pursuing network growth through replication.
- KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): National nonprofit network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving predominantly low-income communities. Operates a similar college-prep mission at significantly greater scale; provides a benchmark for charter-network scaling and replication strategy.
- Achievement First: National charter management organization operating schools across CT, NY, and RI. Operates a broader college-prep charter model serving high-need urban populations. Direct relevance to PCS as an operating model peer; PCS's Middle School Principal previously served as a regional director there.
- Success Academy Charter Schools: High-performing New York City charter school network with a college-prep focus and demand significantly exceeding capacity (long lottery lists). Comparable demand-pull dynamics to PCS at a much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Paul Cuffee Charter School social profiles
Digital presencePaul Cuffee Charter School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Paul Cuffee Charter School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Paul Cuffee Charter School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Paul Cuffee Charter 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 Paul Cuffee Charter School
What does Paul Cuffee Charter School do?
Paul Cuffee School is a public charter school serving approximately 800 K-12 students across three campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, with admission through a state-monitored lottery. The school offers college-preparatory academics with a unique maritime-themed curriculum integrating sailing, marine science, and environmental stewardship, alongside AP courses, special education services, athletics, after-school enrichment, and comprehensive health and library services. It operates tuition-free, funded primarily by state and municipal per-pupil allocations and philanthropic support.
Is Paul Cuffee Charter School a public or private company?
Paul Cuffee Charter School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Paul Cuffee Charter School founded?
Paul Cuffee Charter School was founded in 2001. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Paul Cuffee Charter School based?
Paul Cuffee Charter School is headquartered in Providence, United States, in the North America region.
How does Paul Cuffee Charter School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. State and Municipal Funding is the primary driver. The others are philanthropic Donations and Fundraising and after-School Program Fees.
Who are Paul Cuffee Charter School's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Hope High School and Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College. Direct peers are Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy, International Charter School, The Compass School and Highlander Charter School. Broad incumbents are Uncommon Schools, KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), Achievement First and Success Academy Charter Schools.
Does Paul Cuffee Charter School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Paul Cuffee Charter School.
What industry is Paul Cuffee Charter School in?
Paul Cuffee Charter School's product category is K-12 Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAJ, Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJACAB, Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.