The Franklin Academy

What The Franklin Academy does

The Franklin Academy is a private, nonprofit independent school serving over 430 students from preschool through 8th grade in Bellingham, Washington. Founded in 1971 (previously operating as St. Paul's Academy and Little Epistles Preschool), the school operates two campuses: Robin Hall (Preschool through 1st Grade) at 3000 Northwest Avenue and Markell Hall (2nd through 8th Grade) at 1509 East Victor Street. It holds Cognia accreditation and is Bellingham's only STEM-certified preschool through middle school institution as of 2023, distinguishing it within the Whatcom County private education market.

The school's academic product is organized into three core programs — Preschool (3-day or 5-day options, ages 3-5), Lower School (Kindergarten through 4th Grade), and Middle School (5th through 8th Grade with a rotating block schedule of nine classes including Spanish, Coding/Technology, Art, and Engineering/Economics) — unified by a cross-grade STEM curriculum that integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from preschool onward. Supporting technology assets include a makerspace in Markell Hall, two science laboratories, coding curriculum with one-on-one device access, robotics, and an athletics program (WIAA-affiliated). Complementary offerings include after-school care ($10-$55 per day), enrichment clubs, and the Children's Business Fair.

The Franklin Academy operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no federal, state, or religious funding. Revenue is generated through tuition (not publicly disclosed), the Franklin Annual Fund, an annual Auction Gala, capital campaigns (currently the Robin Hall Expansion Project seeking to add 5,185 sq ft of facilities), and other community donations. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees including members connected to Saturna Capital, the institution's primary financial donor. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through admissions inquiries, campus tours, and word-of-mouth driven by an active PALS (Parents Actively Lending Support) parent organization.

Name

The Franklin Academy

Legal name

The Franklin Academy

Website

https://thefranklin.academy

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Franklin Academy is a private, nonprofit independent school in Bellingham, Washington serving 430+ students from preschool through 8th grade with a STEM-certified curriculum across two campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM/STEAM-Focused Private K–12 Schools (EDAJABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA), Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Private school education
• STEM curriculum
• Preschool education
• Middle school program
• Independent school

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue source from tuition payments for preschool through 8th grade education. Confidential tuition assistance is available for qualifying families.
2. Annual Fund: The Franklin Annual Fund makes up the difference between tuition revenue and actual cost of education, supporting curriculum, staff salaries, supplies, equipment, and programs.
3. Auction Gala: Annual auction gala is the largest fundraising event, selling out tables and tickets, raising funds for tuition assistance, school operations, building expansions, and student travel.
4. Capital Campaign: Robin Hall Expansion Project capital campaign seeking donations from families, alumni, grandparents, and community members for facilities expansion.
5. Before/After School Care: Morning care at $10 per student per day and after school care at $45 per student per day, or $55 per day for both.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Franklin Academy is a private, independent K-8 school in Bellingham, WA that delivers preschool through 8th grade education on two campuses. Its offering centers on a Cognia-accredited, STEM-certified cross-grade curriculum with individualized instruction, small class sizes, and enrichment through athletics and after-school clubs. Tuition plus philanthropic support fund the school's operations.

Product overview

The Franklin Academy is a private, independent school offering preschool through 8th grade education with a STEM-certified curriculum. The institution operates two campuses: Robin Hall (Preschool-1st Grade) and Markell Hall (2nd-8th Grade). Its core educational products include Preschool, Lower School, and Middle School programs unified by a cross-grade STEM curriculum emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The school complements academics with Athletics (WIAA competitive sports), After School Clubs (chess, robotics, theatre), and Parent Portal/PALS community engagement tools. A major facility expansion (Robin Hall Expansion Project) is underway to accommodate 85% enrollment growth toward a 500-student maximum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Program A close-knit, literacy-rich preschool environment for children ages 3-5 (Preschool through Pre-K) with active participation, exploration, and self-discovery at the core; features a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio.
• Lower School Program Kindergarten through 4th Grade program offering individual attention in Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies plus specialists in Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, and Spanish.
• Middle School Program 5th through 8th Grade program with a rotating block schedule of nine classes (Spanish, Language Arts, PE, Math, Science, Social Studies, Coding/Technology, Art, Engineering/Economics) plus electives.
• STEM Curriculum A cross-grade STEM-focused academic foundation covering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics using collaborative and interdisciplinary real-world applications, integrating coding, robotics, makerspace, and one-on-one device access.
• Athletics Program Competitive middle school athletics under WIAA including cross-country, basketball, volleyball, and track & field, with a focus on physical, mental, social, emotional, and moral well-being.
• After School Clubs After-school enrichment clubs for grades 2-8 including chess team, robotics, and BAAY Theatre Workshops.
• Before and After School Care Daily childcare service running from 7:00 AM morning care through 5:30 PM after-school care, offered at $10 per day (morning), $45 per day (after school), or $55 per day (combined).

Quantifiable outcome

• 15% more instructional time than public schools
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• RAM ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRAM Construction is providing construction services for the Robin Hall expansion project. Teachers and staff received a guided tour from RAM Construction to preview the new additions including 7 new classrooms, STEM lab, commons/lunch room, courtyard, and expanded parking.
• Lands' EndminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLands' End is the preferred vendor for school uniforms. Franklin Academy's school code is 900064791. Families can purchase uniforms through Lands' End with the designated school code.
• Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school participates in WIAA league for middle school sports including cross-country, basketball, volleyball, and track & field.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Thomas School: A private K-8 independent day school in Medina, WA. Directly comparable Pacific Northwest private K-8 with small class sizes, individualized learning, and parent-driven community similar to Franklin Academy.
• Eastside Preparatory School: A private K-12 independent school in Kirkland, WA known for project-based learning and STEM integration. Comparable Pacific Northwest private school with similar small-cohort, individualized instruction model.
• Pacific Northern Academy: An independent K-8 school in Anchorage, Alaska, where Head of School Gretchen Bucsko previously served as Lower School Director. Directly comparable in independent K-8 mission, small-class culture, and STEM/whole-child positioning.
• Overlake School: A private K-12 independent school in Redmond, WA. Comparable in independent day-school positioning, college-prep emphasis, and family-driven culture; serves a similar demographic in the broader Pacific Northwest private school market.
• King's Schools: A private Christian-affiliated K-12 school in Shoreline, WA. Comparable as a faith-rooted independent day school with college-prep academics; contrasts with Franklin Academy's ecumenical inclusive approach but addresses the same family segment.
• Seattle Country Day School: A private K-8 school in Seattle, WA with a STEM/inquiry-based curriculum focus. Directly comparable as a private independent K-8 with a STEM-specialized academic identity in the same regional market.

Broad incumbents

• The Bush School: A larger, well-established private K-12 independent school in Seattle, WA. Broad incumbent in the regional private-school market with overlapping mission around individualized, progressive education and parent community engagement.

Regional players

• Woodinville Montessori School: A private K-8 school in Woodinville, WA serving the same Pacific Northwest private-education market. Comparable small-class, individualized approach though differentiated by Montessori pedagogy.
• Brighton School: A private K-8 school in Des Moines, WA. Comparable Pacific Northwest independent day school with a similar focus on individualized instruction and family community.
• The Little School: A private preschool and elementary school in Bellevue, WA. Comparable in small-class, nurturing private early-childhood pedagogy serving the same Pacific Northwest private-school market segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheFranklinAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefranklinacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-franklin-academy

Compliance3 records

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 The Franklin Academy