Science Academy of Chicago

What Science Academy of Chicago does

Science Academy of Chicago (SAC) is a private, independently operated PK-8 school located at 501 Midway Dr., Mt. Prospect, Illinois, serving approximately 150-225 students from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is built around a STREAM curriculum (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) with an accelerated mathematics track in which students learn one grade level ahead, culminating in Algebra I and Geometry by 7th-8th grade. Instructional differentiation includes small class sizes averaging 15 students with a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, dual-language instruction (Spanish), a WIDA-aligned ESL program, and a gifted education program delivered in partnership with the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development. Extracurricular offerings include 11+ clubs, three sports, robotics (VEX, FIRST Tech Challenge), and the SALP leadership program for middle schoolers.

The school's revenue model is tuition-based: $15,900 annual tuition per student plus a $1,250 comprehensive fee, with a $1,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit, sibling and early-enrollment discounts, a 3% full-payment discount, and a referral program. Ancillary revenue comes from the fee-based extended care program (7:00 AM-6:00 PM), which is free for Junior KG and Kindergarten students. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: families apply through the school website, schedule shadow days, complete screening assessments, and attend open houses. Distribution channels include a school website (saoc.org), YouTube virtual tour, Instagram, Smore-distributed quarterly newsletters, a referral program, and Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce community presence. Marketing is predominantly word-of-mouth.

Operationally, SAC runs on standard third-party SaaS infrastructure: QuickSchools for the SIS and parent portal, Blackbaud for financial aid and fee processing, IXL and Accelerated Reader for instructional delivery, and PayPal for donations. The school is led by Principal Brianna Bartucci with two Assistant Principals (Hasan Uslu, Muyesser Korkmaz) and a staff of approximately 23 teachers and coordinators. It is recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, holds memberships in the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools and the STEM Education Coalition, and documents compliance with Faith's Law and nondiscrimination policies. SAC has no parent company, no funding rounds, and no external ownership.

Name

Science Academy of Chicago

Legal name

Science Academy of Chicago

Website

https://saoc.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Science Academy of Chicago is a private PK-8 STREAM-focused school in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, serving approximately 150-225 students from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade with accelerated mathematics, ESL, gifted, and computer science programs on a tuition-based model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAM

STEM/STEAM-Focused Private K–12 Schools

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDAJAGAE

Accelerated Learning & Grade Advancement Programs

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Programs (Gifted, ESL/ELL, Remedial, RTI/MTSS)

SECONDARYEDAJAFAH

Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (School-Delivered)

Keywords

• Private K-8 education
• STREAM curriculum
• Gifted education programs
• ESL academic support
• After-school enrichment

Headquarters

HQ city

Mt. Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue from annual tuition of $15,900 per student plus additional comprehensive fees. Families can receive discounts for early enrollment, sibling enrollment, full payment (3% discount), and participate in referral programs.
2. Extended Care Program: Before and after school care program from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Free for Junior KG and Kindergarten students; fee-based for older students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Science Academy of Chicago is an independently operated private PK-8 school delivering STREAM-focused (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education to students from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school offers accelerated mathematics (one grade level ahead), computer science instruction, ESL and gifted education programs, before- and after-school extended care, free tutoring, and over 11 extracurricular clubs, with small class sizes averaging 15 students at a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Product overview

Science Academy of Chicago (SAC) is a PK-8 private school offering an accelerated STREAM-focused (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational program. The school operates as a unified educational platform comprising a core academic program with advanced mathematics, computer science education, ESL support, and gifted education modules. Students benefit from small class sizes (average 15 students, 15:1 ratio), two-language instruction, and after-school enrichment through over 11 extracurricular clubs and the Science Academy Leadership Program (SALP). The school also provides extended care services (7AM-6PM, free for JKG/KG), free tutoring twice weekly, and uses online learning tools including IXL, Accelerated Reader, Blackbaud for financial aid, and QuickSchools for student information management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PK-8 Private Education Program A full-time private school program for students Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade delivering accelerated STREAM-focused curriculum (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) with two-language instruction, small class sizes averaging 15 students, and a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Target customers are families in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
• Advanced Mathematics Program Accelerated mathematics curriculum in which students learn one grade level ahead, with Kindergarten students studying 1st grade math and 7th-8th graders taking Algebra I and Geometry. Integrated into the core PK-8 program.
• Computer Science Education Comprehensive computer science curriculum spanning digital citizenship, WordPress blog/website design, Adobe Photoshop desktop publishing, Microsoft Office Suite, programming with Alice, and mobile application development for upper grades. Delivered by a Computer Science Specialist across all grade levels.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Dedicated ESL program supporting Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade students whose primary language is not English, using WIDA English Language Development Standards with small-group pull-out instruction and ACCESS for ELLs assessment for annual evaluation.
• Gifted Education Program Gifted program in Mathematics and English Language Arts featuring pull-out instruction in small-group settings, with student identification via MAP Growth (NWEA) and Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessments in consultation with Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development.
• After-School Clubs and Activities Over 11 extracurricular programs and 3 sports including Chess, Drama, VEX Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics, Film Club, Tae Kwon Do, Newspaper and Media Club, Children's Theater, Mixed Media Club, Mathletes, Writing Competition, and Anime Club across Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade.
• Science Academy Leadership Program (SALP) Leadership program for 6th-8th grade students focused on academic challenges, healthy lifestyle habits, confidence-building, volunteerism, and exploration through mentorship in personal development, community service, physical fitness, and educational adventure.
• Extended Care Program Before and after-school care service for enrolled families operating from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Morning Care (7:00-8:00 AM) and After-School Care (3:00-6:00 PM) are provided free for Junior KG and Kindergarten students and on a fee basis for older students, including homework help, activities, games, and social time.
• Free Tutoring Complimentary tutoring available twice weekly beginning in kindergarten for students requiring additional academic support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students achieve 82% on NWEA assessments, above the 50% national average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• Illinois Board of Education (ISBE)coreOthersSAC is officially recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, indicating compliance with state educational standards and requirements.
• Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic SchoolscoreOthersSAC is a member of this coalition representing nonpublic schools in Illinois, providing networking and advocacy support.
• STEM Education CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAC is an affiliate member, supporting advocacy for STEM/STEAM education policy and initiatives.
• Mount Prospect Chamber of CommerceminorOthersSAC is a proud member of the local business chamber supporting community engagement and local business relationships.
• Northwestern University Center for Talent DevelopmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultation partnership for the Gifted Education Program identification and selection process using MAP Growth/NWEA and Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessments.

Scale indicators8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Francis W. Parker School: Established Chicago private JK-12 school with rigorous academics and progressive curriculum. Comparable to SAC in private K-12 positioning within the Chicago metro, though it serves a broader age range and is significantly larger and more established.
• University of Chicago Laboratory Schools: Pre-eminent private K-12 school in Chicago affiliated with the University of Chicago. Comparable to SAC as a private K-12 institution with university-affiliated resources, though it operates at a much larger scale and broader academic scope.

Direct peers

• BASIS Independent Schools: BASIS Independent operates a network of private K-12 schools with a STEM-focused accelerated curriculum and college-preparatory orientation. It is the most direct competitor to SAC in the STEM-focused private school category, targeting families seeking accelerated academics and measurable outcomes.
• Bennett Day School: Independent JK-12 school in Chicago with project-based curriculum and progressive philosophy. Comparable to SAC as a smaller, innovation-oriented private K-12 institution serving Chicago families seeking educational alternatives.
• Alcuin Montessori School: Independent Montessori school serving PK-8 in Oak Park, Illinois. Comparable to SAC as a small private K-8 school in the Chicago metro with a distinctive pedagogical approach and similar fee structure.
• Roycemore School: Independent PK-12 school in Evanston, Illinois. Comparable to SAC as a private K-12 institution in the Chicago metro with similar age range and family-oriented positioning.
• North Shore Country Day School: Independent JK-12 school in Winnetka, Illinois serving Chicago's North Shore suburbs. Comparable to SAC as a private K-12 institution with strong academic outcomes and extracurricular programming within the same metropolitan ecosystem.
• Chicago City Day School: Independent JK-8 school in Chicago. Closely comparable to SAC in grade span (JK-8), private school model, and Chicago metro market, both targeting families seeking a small, community-oriented school experience.
• British International School of Chicago: Private K-12 international school in Chicago with rigorous curriculum. Comparable to SAC as a premium private K-12 option in the Chicago metro, though it offers an international curriculum and serves a different demographic.

Others

• Sacred Heart Schools Chicago: Independent Catholic PK-12 school on Chicago's North Side. Comparable to SAC as a private K-12 institution in the Chicago metro, differing in faith-based orientation and offering a longer grade span.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=6H1rwd52g5o
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/science-academy-of-chicago

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Science Academy of Chicago