What SEGUE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING does

Segue Institute for Learning is a Rhode Island public charter school network operating under the legal entity Cowden Street Collaborative, Inc. Founded in 2009 by Angelo Garcia and Dr. Melissa Lourenco, the organization runs two campuses: Davis REACH Academy (K-8) at 325 Cowden Street in Central Falls, and Legacy High School (grades 9-12) at 1080 Main St. in Pawtucket, the latter launched in 2024 and currently undergoing facility renovations with an October 2025 groundbreaking for a planned ~500-student capacity. The K-8 campus was renamed Davis REACH Academy in December 2025 to honor Central Falls native Viola Davis and codify the school's REACH values. Segue is publicly funded through Rhode Island per-pupil charter school allocations; as a free public charter school, it charges no tuition and routes all enrollment through the state-wide EnrollRI common application and lottery system.

The organization's academic model emphasizes an 'At Promise' framing over 'At Risk' labeling, culturally responsive teaching, project-based learning, and wrap-around services. Supporting programs include a Segue Food Pantry in partnership with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, a Family Engagement Committee, McKinney-Vento homeless education support, and after-school enrichment modules delivered with local partners (Roger Williams Zoo for K-1, Farm Fresh Rhode Island for grades 3-4 cooking, and Audubon Society for grades 5-6 environmental education). Legacy High School differentiates on a college-and-career readiness curriculum focused on education careers, mentorship, internships, and project-based assessment. The network has earned external validation through Brown University Pre-College scholarships awarded to Legacy students and statewide recognition for Davis REACH Academy history projects.

Segue is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors chaired by Alejandro Restrepo, and employs approximately 66 staff across instructional, operational, facilities, IT, and administrative functions (including a K-8 Principal, Principal, Principal Apprentice, Director of Facilities & School Safety, Director of Technology, and HR/Payroll). Revenue derives entirely from per-pupil state allocations; no tuition, no private equity, no venture capital, and no M&A activity is present. The organization is a nonprofit operating exclusively within Rhode Island, serving students from Central Falls, Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket at the high school level and Central Falls residents at the K-8 level.

Name

SEGUE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING

Legal name

Cowden Street Collaborative, Inc.

Website

https://segueifl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Segue Institute for Learning is a Rhode Island public charter school network operating Davis REACH Academy (K-8) in Central Falls and Legacy High School (9-12) in Pawtucket, serving students from four RI cities via state per-pupil funding and an 'At Promise' project-based learning model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charter K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-12 public education
• Project-based learning
• Culturally responsive teaching
• College readiness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Central Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Others, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: Segue Institute for Learning is a free, public charter school. Revenue comes from per-pupil state funding allocations based on enrollment, consistent with Rhode Island charter school funding models.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Segue Institute for Learning is a free, public charter school network operating two schools: Davis REACH Academy (K-8) in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and Legacy High School (grades 9-12) in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The organization delivers a rigorous academic experience using an 'At Promise' philosophy, culturally responsive teaching, project-based learning, and wrap-around services to prepare scholars for high school, college, and careers. Enrollment is open through the state-wide EnrollRI lottery system.

Product overview

Segue Institute for Learning operates as a public charter school network with two main products: Davis REACH Academy (K-8) and Legacy High School (9-12). Davis REACH Academy provides a rigorous K-8 academic experience emphasizing the 'At Promise' philosophy, culturally responsive teaching, and wrap-around services. Legacy High School, launched in 2024, extends the mission to prepare students for education careers through project-based learning and college/career readiness programs. Supporting modules include after-school enrichment programs with local partners (Roger Williams Zoo, Farm Fresh RI, Audubon Society), boxing fundamentals, falcon fitness, student-led activities, a food pantry, and family engagement initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Davis REACH Academy (K-8) The K-8 campus of Segue Institute for Learning in Central Falls, Rhode Island, providing a rigorous academic experience for scholars in grades K-8 with wrap-around services, civic engagement opportunities, and culturally responsive teaching under the 'At Promise' philosophy.
• Legacy High School (9-12) A public charter high school (grades 9-12) in Pawtucket, Rhode Island offering project-based learning with interdisciplinary instruction, hands-on learning, and authentic assessment strategies, integrating college and career readiness through mentorship and internships for students from Central Falls, Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket.
• After School Programs Extended learning program for enrolled Segue K-8 scholars offering hands-on enrichment experiences beyond the classroom through partnerships with Roger Williams Zoo (K-1 nature-based learning), Farm Fresh Rhode Island (3rd-4th grade cooking), Audubon Society (5th-6th wildlife education), Cheer and Soccer clinics, and Boxing Fundamentals.
• Segue Food Pantry Community food assistance program in partnership with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank providing nutritious meals and essential supplies to enrolled students and their families in need.
• Family Engagement Committee (F.E.C.) A collaborative group of parents, guardians, and family members bridging families and the school community, fostering open communication and engagement through district and school-level coordinators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Legacy students earned full scholarships to Brown University Pre-College Program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rhode Island Community Food BankcoreOthersCommunity partnership providing food security support to students and families through the Segue Food Pantry program.
• City of Central FallscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership supporting the charter school's operations and community engagement initiatives within Central Falls.
• Central Falls School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the traditional school district for coordination and collaboration on educational initiatives.
• Rhode Island League of Charter SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and advocacy organization supporting charter schools in Rhode Island.
• Sojourner HouseminorOthersLocal nonprofit providing supportive services to families in need.
• Roger Williams ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school enrichment partner for K-1 students to meet animals and explore nature-based learning through hands-on experiences.
• Farm Fresh Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school enrichment partner for 3rd-4th graders teaching healthy eating habits and cooking with local produce.
• Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school enrichment partner for 5th-6th graders bringing animals and outdoor games for environmental education.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy: A Rhode Island charter school network serving K-12 students across multiple campuses in northern RI communities. Directly comparable to Segue as a small-state charter operator with multi-campus growth and college-prep focus.
• Achievement First: A charter school network that operates schools in Rhode Island (and CT/NY). Competes with Segue for RI charter families and shares a culturally responsive, college-preparatory mission focused on underserved communities.
• Paul Cuffee Charter School: A Providence, RI-based public charter school serving K-12 students with a maritime and culturally responsive theme. Comparable as another RI-based K-12 charter serving similar urban demographics.
• Highlander Charter School: A Rhode Island charter school serving elementary and middle school students in Providence. Competes with Segue's K-8 Davis REACH Academy for lottery enrollment and shares a mission of closing achievement gaps.
• The Met School: A Providence-based RI public high school network (Big Picture Learning affiliate) focused on personalized, project-based learning. Comparable to Legacy High School's project-based, college/career readiness model.
• Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts: A Providence, RI charter high school. Competes with Legacy High School for RI lottery students and shares a small, mission-driven charter operator profile.
• Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College: A Providence, RI public charter high school with a health-career pathway theme. Comparable to Legacy HS as a themed RI charter serving grades 9-12 with college/career readiness focus.

Broad incumbents

• KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): One of the largest U.S. charter management organizations operating K-12 schools nationwide. Comparable as a national operator using college-prep, culturally responsive pedagogy for underserved communities, though at vastly greater scale.
• Uncommon Schools: A multi-state charter management organization operating K-12 schools with a college-preparatory mission in urban communities. Comparable as a larger, established charter network sharing the 'at-promise' framing and outcomes-focused culture.
• National Heritage Academies: A charter management organization operating K-8 schools across multiple U.S. states. Comparable as a multi-campus charter operator with similar college-prep mission, though with broader geographic scale than Segue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SegueIFL

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 SEGUE INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING