SCOTTSDALE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

What SCOTTSDALE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL does

Scottsdale Country Day School (SCDS) is a tuition-free, A-rated public charter school serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade at a single campus in Scottsdale, Arizona (10460 N. 56th Street). The school operates under an Arizona charter license (A.R.S. 15-184) and is funded through per-pupil state allocations, with no tuition charged to families. Enrollment is conducted through an annual open-enrollment window (December 1-31) followed by a lottery when applications exceed available capacity, with priority given to current-student siblings, faculty children, and board member children. Class sizes are capped at 22 students across 14 classrooms inside a 14,000 sq ft main building, supported by a 9,000 sq ft indoor gymnasium and a 2-acre outdoor field.

SCDS delivers a comprehensive K-8 academic curriculum supplemented by enrichment programs including a fully functioning science laboratory, Spanish language instruction, visual arts, music, physical education and athletics, STEM, chess (delivered via partnership with Chess Emporium), class gardens, and a manners and integrity program. The technology stack is consumer-grade classroom hardware: Sharp AQUOS BOARD interactive displays in every classroom, iPads for KG-1 students, Chromebooks for grades 2-8, and the Galileo assessment platform for benchmark testing and data-driven instruction. Academic outcomes are externally validated, with AZMerit scores of 83% Math, 67% ELA, and 95% Science substantially exceeding Arizona state averages (35%, 34%, 59%) and charter school averages (45%, 44%, 69%).

Revenue is generated primarily through per-pupil public charter funding, supplemented by ancillary fee-based services including before/aftercare (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily) and an SCDS Store operated via Square for uniforms, snacks, and lunch ordering from external vendors. The school is governed by a Board of Directors led by Headmaster Steve Prahcharov, M.Ed., who also serves as Board President, alongside Director of Operations Kathy Prahcharov and board members Mary Alpaugh and Robert F. Hill, CPA. Founded circa 2012, SCDS has no parent company, no venture funding, and no subsidiaries.

Name

SCOTTSDALE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Legal name

Scottsdale Country Day School

Website

https://scdsaz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Scottsdale Country Day School is a tuition-free, A-rated public charter school serving K-8 students in Scottsdale, Arizona. It delivers a rigorous academic program with class sizes capped at 22, enrichment offerings, and lottery-based enrollment funded by per-pupil state allocations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary and Secondary Education (K-8 Charter School)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Charter Schools (Single-Site) (EDAJACAB)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-8 academic programs
• Enrichment programs
• Public charter schools
• STEM education

Headquarters

HQ city

Scottsdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: As a publicly funded charter school, SCDS receives per-pupil state funding based on enrollment. No tuition is charged to students. The school complies with Arizona state charter school enrollment requirements (A.R.S. 15-184).
2. Before and Aftercare Services: Morning care available from 7:30 a.m. and aftercare available until 5:30 p.m. daily. Aftercare is free for students not picked up at dismissal. Parents can pre-order snacks and lunch through the SCDS Store from outside vendors delivering Monday through Thursday.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Scottsdale Country Day School is a tuition-free, A-rated public charter school delivering kindergarten through 8th-grade education to families in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, and surrounding Arizona communities. Its core academic program emphasizes rigorous academics, critical thinking, and individualized learning within class sizes capped at 22 students, supplemented by an enrichment slate that includes Spanish, music, visual arts, physical education and athletics, STEM, chess, character and etiquette instruction, a fully functioning science laboratory, and a class gardens program. The school is publicly funded through per-pupil state charter allocation, with no tuition charged, and is supported by before/aftercare services and an online school store.

Product overview

Scottsdale Country Day School offers a comprehensive K-8 charter school education combining rigorous academics with enrichment programs. The core academic program spans kindergarten through 8th grade with class sizes capped at 22 students. Enrichment offerings include a fully functioning Science Laboratory, Spanish language instruction, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education & Athletics, STEM, Chess (via Chess Emporium partnership), and a Class Gardens program. Technology integration features Sharp AQUOS BOARD interactive displays, iPads for younger grades, and Chromebooks for grades 2-8. Additional services include before/aftercare and an online store. Assessment services utilize Galileo technologies for benchmark testing and differentiated instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-8 Academic Program Comprehensive kindergarten through 8th grade core academic curriculum focused on academic rigor, critical thinking, and expanding each student's individual potential, taught in classes capped at 22 students. Designed for families seeking a tuition-free, A-rated K-8 charter school education.
• Science Laboratory Program Fully functioning science laboratory where students test natural materials, design investigations, engage in scientific reasoning, and collect data. Designed for K-8 students as part of the STEM-integrated curriculum.
• Spanish Language Program Foreign language curriculum providing linguistic and cultural instruction covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening, along with geography, history, food, and traditions. Designed for K-8 students.
• Visual Arts Program Creative discovery program teaching drawing, painting, and graphic design skills with student work showcased throughout the school. Designed for K-8 students.
• Music Program Music lessons introducing keyboards, strings, and percussion instruments, with additional one-on-one lessons available after school. Designed for K-8 students.
• Physical Education and Athletics Program Physical education curriculum with after-school programs in soccer, basketball, football, baseball, and athletics, supported by an on-site basketball court, baseball area, and soccer field. Designed for K-8 students.
• STEM Program STEM education integrated into the K-8 curriculum with hands-on learning opportunities anchored by the school science laboratory.
• Chess Program Chess instruction and scholastic chess tournaments delivered in partnership with Chess Emporium for both beginner and advanced students. Designed for K-8 students.
• Manners and Integrity Program Character development program empowering students with knowledge, skill, and confidence in manners and etiquette, including personal grooming, social skills, table manners, and sportsmanship. Designed for K-8 students.
• Class Gardens Program Gardening program teaching teamwork, sustainability, science standards, and entrepreneurship through planting flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Designed for K-8 students.
• Before and Aftercare Before-care available from 7:30 a.m. and aftercare available until 5:30 p.m. daily, including half days. Provided as a wraparound service for families of enrolled K-8 students; aftercare is free for students not picked up at dismissal.
• Assessment Services (Galileo Benchmark Testing) Benchmark assessments and ongoing tests using Galileo technologies to support data-driven differentiated instruction, future-result predictors, and real-time reporting for teachers and parents. Provided to enrolled K-8 students and their families.
• SCDS Store Online store powered by Square where families can purchase uniforms and pre-order snacks and lunches, with outside food vendors delivering Monday through Thursday. Designed for families of enrolled K-8 students.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Chess EmporiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCDS is partnered with Chess Emporium to provide chess instruction and scholastic chess tournaments for both beginner and advanced students. Chess Emporium is described as one of the nation's premier providers of scholastic chess tournaments and instruction.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Heritage Academies: National charter school operator managing tuition-free public charter schools across multiple U.S. states. Comparable as a charter management organization with similar tuition-free public school model, though operating at significantly greater scale than SCDS.
• EdisonLearning: National charter school management and educational services provider operating and managing public charter schools in multiple states. Comparable as a charter management organization serving a similar mission, though at much greater scale and geographic scope than a single-site charter.
• Stride (formerly K12 Inc): Large publicly traded online learning company operating tuition-free public schools (including K12-branded schools) and selling online curriculum nationwide. Comparable as a charter/public-school operator but at significantly greater scale and broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Legacy Traditional Schools: Large Arizona-based charter network operating tuition-free K-8 campuses with a back-to-basics academic approach. Directly comparable in charter funding model, grade span, and family demographic across the Phoenix metro.
• BASIS Charter Schools: Top-ranked Arizona tuition-free public charter network with a STEM-focused curriculum and BASIS Scottsdale as a direct local competitor. Comparable in grade span, charter status, tuition-free model, and target families prioritizing academic outcomes.
• Primavera Online School: Arizona tuition-free online public charter school serving K-12 statewide. Comparable in Arizona charter authorization and tuition-free model, though differs in online rather than in-person delivery.
• Great Hearts Academies: Major Arizona charter network offering tuition-free, classical liberal arts K-12 education with multiple campuses in the Scottsdale/Phoenix metro area. Directly competes for the same tuition-free, rigorous-academics family demographic in the same geography.
• American Leadership Academy: Arizona charter school network operating K-12 campuses with a classical leadership focus in suburban Phoenix communities. Comparable as a tuition-free Arizona public charter serving similar families seeking rigorous, values-driven education.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/scdsaz
• Instagraminstagram.com/scdsaz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scottsdale-country-day-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SCOTTSDALE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL