Saint Columbkille Partnership School

What Saint Columbkille Partnership School does

Saint Columbkille Partnership School is a private Catholic pre-K (age 2.9) through Grade 8 school located in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood of Brighton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1901 and reestablished in 2006 as a Partnership School through a tri-partite governance agreement among the Archdiocese of Boston, Boston College, and St. Columbkille Parish, it serves 410 students drawn from 37 cities and towns across Greater Boston, with 32 languages represented in students' homes. In 2018 it was designated the laboratory school for Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development, making it the only such arrangement between a university and an elementary school in Boston. The school employs 54 staff and is led by Head of School Jen Kowieski (appointed 2020), with Nino Gilarde '89 chairing the Board of Trustees.

The school delivers a research-based, data-driven curriculum built in collaboration with Boston College, spanning an early childhood program (Pearson's Opening the World of Learning, Real Math Building Blocks), an elementary program (Everyday Mathematics, Scholastic, Sadlier religion), and Loyola Academy middle school using Ignatian pedagogy with algebra, Spanish, and leadership components. Its product portfolio also includes an Extended Day Program, Saint Cols' Clubs co-curriculars sponsored by Rockland Trust, a Band & Violin Program via Paul Effman Music, an eight-week Summer at STCPS program, Student Support Services anchored by Boston College's City Connects program, an athletics program, and the BC Race to Educate annual fundraiser. The technology stack comprises RenWeb for admissions, DonorPerfect for fundraising, Constant Contact for email, Edlio for web/parent portal, and Lexia/Raz-Kids for literacy.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring private tuition, supplemented by fees for the summer and extended-day programs, donations, and a Peter McLaughlin Endowment Fund for Financial Aid. Approximately 47% of students receive need-based financial aid, with over $700,000 in aid awarded in the 2023 reporting period and $1.2 million raised annually for financial aid and programs. Go-to-market is a direct admissions model using inquiry forms, virtual and in-person open houses, school tours, and the RenWeb application portal, targeting families seeking rigorous, faith-based education in the Greater Boston area. Customer relationships are supported by community partnerships with PwC, Cambridge Savings Bank, Brighton Allston Mental Health Association, New England College of Optometry, and other local institutions.

Name

Saint Columbkille Partnership School

Legal name

Saint Columbkille Partnership School

Website

https://stcps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Saint Columbkille Partnership School is a private Catholic pre-K through Grade 8 school in Brighton, Massachusetts, serving 410 students from 37 Greater Boston communities as the designated laboratory school for Boston College's Lynch School of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Private catholic education
• Preschool education
• Elementary education
• Middle school education
• Extended day care

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Private school tuition from families enrolling children in pre-K through grade 8 programs
2. Annual Fundraising: Over $1 million raised annually through Annual Fund, BC Race to Educate, and other fundraising initiatives supporting financial aid and programs
3. Summer Program Fees: Eight-week summer program for ages 3 through Grade 8 with weekly fees of $375 for current students and $450 for non-STCPS students, plus $75 registration fee
4. Extended Day Program: Before-school program at $5 per day, after-school program for ages 2.9 through Grade 5, and vacation programs
5. Endowment and Planned Giving: Peter McLaughlin Endowment Fund for Financial Aid and legacy gift programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saint Columbkille Partnership School is a private Catholic school in Brighton, Massachusetts, providing preschool through Grade 8 education to approximately 410 students. The school operates as a laboratory school for Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development, delivering a research-based curriculum grounded in Catholic values and Ignatian pedagogy. It also offers ancillary services including an extended day program, summer program, athletics, student support services, and an annual fundraising race.

Product overview

Saint Columbkille Partnership School operates as a pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic educational institution functioning as a laboratory school for Boston College's Lynch School of Education. The school's product portfolio includes: (1) Early Childhood Education Program (ages 2.9-K2) with full-day curriculum based on Pearson's Opening the World of Learning and Real Math Building Blocks; (2) Elementary School Program (K1-Grade 5) using Everyday Mathematics, Scholastic social studies, and Sadlier religion curriculum with specials including art, music, Spanish, and PE; (3) Loyola Academy middle school (Grades 6-8) featuring Ignatian pedagogy, advisory groups, buddy programs, algebra, and Spanish; (4) Extended Day Program with before/after-school care and Saint Cols' Clubs co-curricular activities sponsored by Rockland Trust; (5) Band & Violin Program via Paul Effman Music for Grades 1-8; (6) Summer at STCPS eight-week program for ages 3-Grade 8 with academic, enrichment, and recreational activities; (7) Student Support Services including City Connects counseling, learning resources, speech therapy, and occupational therapy; (8) Athletics program; and (9) BC Race to Educate annual fundraising event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Loyola Academy: The middle school division (Grades 6-8) of Saint Columbkille Partnership School, offering a distinctive opportunity for rigorous learning and healthy development in an environment infused by Catholic faith and values guided by Ignatian pedagogy.

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education Program Full-day preschool and kindergarten program (ages 2.9 through K2) grounded in purposeful play, social development, and a research-based curriculum designed by Boston College's Lynch School of Education, serving families in the Greater Boston area.
• Elementary School Program Grades K1 through 5 elementary education program with rigorous, research-based curriculum covering math, science, literacy, and enrichment subjects including art, music, Spanish, and physical education.
• Loyola Academy Middle School Grade 6-8 middle school program within Loyola Academy, featuring Ignatian pedagogy, small class sizes, advisory groups, buddy programs, leadership opportunities, algebra, Spanish language classes, and student council.
• Extended Day Program Before-school program at $5 per day and after-school program (until 5:30 p.m.) for students ages 2.9 through Grade 5, staffed by qualified teachers with enrichment and recreational activities.
• Saint Cols' Clubs Co-curricular program for Grades K1-8 offering diverse clubs including sports, study hall, and other activities to develop students intellectually, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially, sponsored by Rockland Trust.
• Band and Violin Program Year-round instrumental music program provided in partnership with Paul Effman Music, with band for Grades 3-8 and violin lessons for Grades 1-8, offering instrument options including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, and percussion.
• Summer at STCPS Eight-week full-day summer program for ages 3 through Grade 8, offering academic, enrichment, and recreational activities, with weekly fees of $375 for current students and $450 for non-STCPS students, plus a $75 registration fee.
• Student Support Services Comprehensive student support system including School Counselor (City Connects program), Learning Resource Coordinator, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, academic support, tutoring, and community agency partnerships.
• Athletics Program Athletic opportunities including basketball, cross country, skiing, and field hockey for middle school students at Saint Columbkille Partnership School.
• BC Race to Educate Annual 5K race and kids' fun run fundraiser held at Boston College's Alumni Stadium, the school's largest annual fundraiser supporting financial aid and programs, drawing nearly 1,000 runners and raising over $230,000 at the 16th annual event.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of students reading at or above grade level
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018In 2018, Saint Columbkille was formally designated as the laboratory school for Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development. This partnership enhances opportunities for teacher training, educational research, and professional development. BC student teachers hone their skills at the school, while STCPS teachers earn fully sponsored master's degrees. The research generated ensures best practices in curriculum and instruction.
• Archdiocese of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three founding partners of the Partnership School model (along with Boston College and St. Columbkille Parish). Provides Catholic educational oversight and resources.
• St. Columbkille ParishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three founding partners of the Partnership School model. Parish resources combined with Archdiocese and Boston College to create flagship Catholic school.
• Urban Catholic Teacher Corps (UCTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-year urban teaching practicum as part of Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Founded in 1997, UCTC members commit to teaching in Boston's Catholic schools while completing master's degrees.
• 4Boston (Boston College Campus Ministry)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach year, around 30 BC undergraduate students volunteer at STCPS through the 4Boston organization. Four days each week, volunteers facilitate clubs, tutor students, and act as mentors.
• City Connects (Boston College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-based intervention program that connects each student to a tailored set of prevention, intervention, and enrichment services. School Counselor assesses strengths and needs of each child.
• Cambridge Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCambridge Savings Bank's '3's for a Cause' initiative resulted in a $4,000 gift to STCPS, with $10 donated for every three-point basket made by Boston College men's basketball team.
• Brighton Allston Mental Health AssociationminorOthersProvides in-school psycho-social counseling to students.
• New England College of OptometryminorOthersConducts eye examinations and delivers glasses to students who need them.
• PolishedminorOthersProvides in-school dental care, including cleanings and sealants.
• Big Brother Big Sister FoundationminorOthersMatches students to mentors.
• Strong Women - Strong GirlsminorOthersFacilitates weekly meetings with girls in grades 3-5 to learn leadership skills and enhance self-esteem.
• Rockland TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProudly sponsors Saint Cols' Clubs and Co-Curricular Activities.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Financial Literacy Fair to middle school students during Catholic Schools Week, teaching budgeting and financial decision-making through interactive simulation.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shore Country Day School: Independent K-9 school in Beverly, MA, with comparable curriculum, enrollment scale, and tuition profile. Competes for the same pool of Greater Boston private school families.
• Newton Country Day School: Catholic, independent K-9 school in Newton, MA, also serving Greater Boston families seeking faith-based, rigorous education. Closest direct peer by mission, grade range, geography, and tuition tier.
• Belmont Day School: Independent K-8 school in Belmont, MA, drawing families from the same Cambridge/Allston-Brighton feeder area. Directly comparable on grade range, family demographics, and non-faith-based private school experience.
• Ursuline Academy: Catholic, independent K-12 school in Dedham, MA, also rooted in Catholic intellectual tradition and serving Boston-area families. Closest faith-based peer outside the immediate Brighton catchment.
• Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N): Independent pre-K through grade 9 school in Cambridge, competing for the same Boston-area families considering private K-8 education. Comparable tuition tier and academic positioning, though non-faith-based.
• Matignon School: Catholic high school in Cambridge/Somerville, MA, with overlapping Boston-area Catholic education pipeline. Many STCPS Loyola Academy graduates matriculate to similar Catholic secondary schools like Matignon.
• Fenn School: Independent boys' K-9 school in Concord, MA, with similar small-class, rigorous-prep model serving Greater Boston families. Comparable on scale, tuition tier, and feeder geography.
• Dexter Southfield: Independent pre-K-12 school in Brookline, MA, directly competing for the same Allston-Brighton and Brookline families. Comparable in scale, tuition, and academic positioning.

Broad incumbents

• University of Chicago Laboratory Schools: Premier U.S. university-affiliated lab school and the conceptual benchmark for STCPS's Boston College lab school designation. Larger, older, and more resourced, but the most directly analogous model.

Emerging players

• Roxbury Preparatory Charter School: Boston-area public charter school competing for the same urban, diverse family demographic that STCPS serves via its 47% financial aid program. Indirectly comparable on family base, though structurally different as a public charter.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saintcols
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYjj0iMAbz8axpEKRws4Axg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/saintcolumbkille
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saint-columbkille-partnership-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/saintcols

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Saint Columbkille Partnership School