School in the Square Public Charter School
School in the Square is a tuition-free public charter school network operating four campuses in Washington Heights and Inwood, NYC, serving more than 800 students from PreK through 11th grade via a bilingual English-Spanish immersion curriculum and co-teaching model, with revenue from per-pupil public funding and philanthropy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What School in the Square Public Charter School does
School in the Square is a tuition-free public charter school network founded in 2016 by Evan Meyers, operating four campuses in the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of northern Manhattan. The network currently serves more than 800 students (with some sources reporting 900+) across PreK through 11th grade, organized into a Bilingual Early Childhood Center (PreK-K), Bilingual Elementary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and a newly opened High School (Grades 9-11). The organization plans to graduate its first 12th grade class in the 2027-28 academic year, completing a PreK-12 pathway.
Instructionally, the network is built on a bilingual English-Spanish immersion curriculum spanning PreK through 11, a social-emotional learning framework organized around 12:1 "Placita" advisory groups, and a co-teaching model that places two teachers in every classroom. All students receive a 1:1 Chromebook for in-school and at-home use, and the school operates an extended day and year relative to traditional NYC public schools. Technology infrastructure is commodity: ParentSquare for family communications, SchoolMint for online admissions, and Chromebooks as the 1:1 device platform — no proprietary AI/ML capabilities were disclosed.
The business model is per-pupil public funding as the primary revenue stream, supplemented by philanthropic donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Named grant funding includes Bloomberg Philanthropies' support for the Summer Boost summer learning program. Admissions are managed through a centralized random lottery held each April, with preference for Community School District 6 residents, siblings of enrolled students, and children of staff. The go-to-market motion is community-led: open houses, welcome events, parent testimonials, and word-of-mouth referrals rather than paid acquisition. Distribution is direct through four physical campuses. The network also operates a Family Support Program that includes a monthly food pantry serving 300 families and referrals to SNAP benefits, immigration, housing, and counseling services — functioning as a community anchor institution beyond its core educational offering.
School in the Square Public Charter School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- School in the Square Public Charter School
- Legal name
- School in the Square
- Website
- https://schoolinthesquare.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- School in the Square is a tuition-free public charter school network operating four campuses in Washington Heights and Inwood, NYC, serving more than 800 students from PreK through 11th grade via a bilingual English-Spanish immersion curriculum and co-teaching model, with revenue from per-pupil public funding and philanthropy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
School in the Square Public Charter School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Public Charter Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Charter Language Immersion & Bilingual Schools (EDAJACAI)
Keywords
Where School in the Square Public Charter School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
School in the Square Public Charter School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Per-Pupil Public Funding: As a public charter school, School in the Square receives per-pupil funding from government sources based on student enrollment.
- Philanthropic Donations: The school accepts donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors support supplementary programs provided at no or dramatically reduced cost to families.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant: Summer Boost program is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies funding, enabling free summer learning for students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Tuition-free public education PreK-11 |
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free starter uniform package for new students |
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Free summer learning program (Summer Boost) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
School in the Square Public Charter School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
School in the Square operates a tuition-free public charter school network serving PreK through 11th grade across four campuses in Washington Heights and Inwood, NYC. The school delivers bilingual English-Spanish immersion, dual language, college preparatory curriculum with wraparound family support services including food pantry, social-emotional learning, and enrichment programs.
Product overview
School in the Square is a free public charter school network serving PreK through 11th grade (expanding to PreK-12 by 2027-28) across four campuses in Washington Heights and Inwood, NYC. The network consists of a Bilingual Early Childhood Center (PreK-K), Bilingual Elementary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-11). The organization operates on a 'relationships first' philosophy and offers supplementary programs including Summer Boost (summer enrichment), Family Support Program (food pantry, referrals), and extensive enrichment activities in arts, athletics, and STEAM. The school provides 1:1 Chromebook access to all students and uses ParentSquare for family communication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bilingual Early Childhood Center A bilingual English-Spanish immersion program serving Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students at 37 Park Terrace East, New York. Uses Every Child Ready and Apple Tree curriculum with learning centers, STEAM activities, and play-based learning.
- Bilingual Elementary School A dual-language elementary program serving Grades 1-5 at 108 Cooper Street, New York, with 90-minute daily Spanish classes, IB Learner Profiles, and Disney Musicals in Schools integration.
- Middle School A public charter middle school serving Grades 6-8 at 120 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, featuring a longer school day and year, co-teaching model, restorative justice, 1:1 Chromebook access, and competitive sports programs.
- High School A college-preparatory high school serving Grades 9-11 (expanding to 12 in 2027-28) at 12 Sherman Avenue, New York, featuring CUNY College Now courses, NYS Seal of Biliteracy, and internship opportunities.
- Summer Boost A four-week free summer learning program supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, serving Grades K-9 with 3+ hours of daily reading and math instruction plus enrichment activities including arts, sports, and field trips.
- Family Support Program A comprehensive family support initiative including monthly food pantry serving 300 families, Family Council meetings, local referrals to SNAP benefits and immigration services, and partnerships with community organizations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Students who joined Summer Boost gained about four extra weeks of math learning compared to students who did not participate
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use School in the Square Public Charter School
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
School in the Square Public Charter School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
School in the Square Public Charter School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Community Association of Progressive DominicanscorePartnership provides free after-school program for all Middle School students including family support and guided activities such as homework supervision. This partnership enables the school to offer comprehensive wraparound services to the community.
- Disney Musicals in SchoolsminorPartnership for annual musical production at the Elementary School. Students participate in visual and performing arts culminating in a school musical through the Disney Musicals in Schools program.
- CUNY (City University of New York)coreHigh school students can take FREE college-level courses at CUNY campuses. Completion leads to college credit accepted by all CUNY and SUNY colleges. No additional exams, fees, or review required to earn college credit.
- Family Support Program PartnerscorePartners who make the Family Support Program possible including monthly food pantry (distributing food to 300+ families monthly), local referrals to SNAP benefits, immigration services, housing support, and community resources. 75+ volunteers and partners support this program.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
School in the Square Public Charter School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Success Academy Charter Schools: Success Academy is the largest NYC charter network, operating 45+ schools with a strong academic-results reputation. Direct comparison as a multi-campus NYC charter network with proven academic outcomes — a key competitor for talent and families.
- Public Preparatory Network: Public Prep is a NYC charter network with multiple campuses serving similar demographics. S2's Middle School principal (Hannah Werno) joined from Public Prep, indicating direct talent and operational overlap.
- Uncommon Schools: Uncommon Schools is a multi-state charter network with a strong NYC presence and rigorous college-prep curriculum. Comparable selective, results-driven charter model targeting similar communities.
- Achievement First: Achievement First is a charter network with schools in NYC and Connecticut; leadership at S2 has direct AF alumni (Katie McPollom, Andrew Walker). Comparable bilingual-friendly charter model with similar college-prep mission.
- Democracy Prep Public Schools: Democracy Prep is a NYC-based charter network with similar PreK–12 vertical structure and civic-readiness focus. The Seal of Civic Readiness focus at S2 closely mirrors Democracy Prep's citizenship-driven curriculum.
- KIPP NYC: KIPP NYC is one of the largest charter networks in New York City, operating multiple schools serving predominantly low-income communities of color. Directly comparable multi-campus charter network model in the same NYC market.
- Eagle Academy Foundation: Eagle Academy operates multiple charter schools in NYC and other cities with a distinctive mission-driven college-prep model. Comparable selective charter network with strong community focus.
- Ascend Learning: Ascend Learning is a Brooklyn-based charter network with a similar multi-campus, college-prep focus. Comparable charter model in NYC with similar mission and student demographic.
Broad incumbents
- Harlem Children's Zone: HCZ is a broader community-based education and social services organization in Harlem. Comparable 'community anchor' model with wraparound services, though operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
- New York City Department of Education: NYC DOE is the incumbent public school system that charters compete against and operate alongside. Functions as both competitor (for students) and partner (co-location, funding oversight), establishing the broader competitive context.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
School in the Square Public Charter School social profiles
Digital presenceSchool in the Square Public Charter School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
School in the Square Public Charter School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
School in the Square Public Charter School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
School in the Square Public Charter School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
School in the Square Public 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 School in the Square Public Charter School
What does School in the Square Public Charter School do?
School in the Square operates a tuition-free public charter school network serving PreK through 11th grade across four campuses in Washington Heights and Inwood, NYC. The school delivers bilingual English-Spanish immersion, dual language, college preparatory curriculum with wraparound family support services including food pantry, social-emotional learning, and enrichment programs.
Is School in the Square Public Charter School a public or private company?
School in the Square Public Charter School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was School in the Square Public Charter School founded?
School in the Square Public Charter School was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is School in the Square Public Charter School based?
School in the Square Public Charter School is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does School in the Square Public Charter School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Per-Pupil Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are philanthropic Donations and bloomberg Philanthropies Grant.
Who are School in the Square Public Charter School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Success Academy Charter Schools, Public Preparatory Network, Uncommon Schools, Achievement First, Democracy Prep Public Schools, KIPP NYC, Eagle Academy Foundation and Ascend Learning. Broad incumbents are Harlem Children's Zone and New York City Department of Education.
Does School in the Square Public Charter School have an API?
No public API is recorded for School in the Square Public Charter School.
What industry is School in the Square Public Charter School in?
School in the Square Public Charter School's product category is K-12 Public Charter Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAC, Charter School Networks (Multi-Site), with a secondary code of EDAJACAI, Charter Language Immersion & Bilingual Schools. Its NAICS code is 61111 and its SIC code is 8200.