The Lab School of Memphis

What The Lab School of Memphis does

The Lab School of Memphis is a Cognia-accredited, nonprofit independent microschool in Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 2021 by Coi Morefield as an affiliate of the Acton Academy network. The school serves K-8th grade students in a multi-age studio model that blends Waldorf, Montessori, unschooling, and constructivist pedagogies, with a practitioner staff of approximately 5 supported by a 9-member board. Its instructional model is anchored in Quests (5-8 week project-based learning cycles culminating in public exhibitions), a self-paced web-based core skills curriculum for reading, writing, and math, weekly Forest School sessions at Agricenter International, and a Music & Theater program. The school operates a proprietary trademarked curriculum, 'Me Among the Trees™', a PK-6 nature-based framework grounded in anti-bias/anti-racist values.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual K-8 tuition of $14,000 per student, supplemented by a 10-week Forest School homeschool program at $750 per family, weekly LionLink summer camp sessions for ages 4-12 at $240 full-day / $140 half-day, and donations via GoFundMe. The school accepts Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) funds tied to Memphis Shelby County Schools zoning. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: a 6-step admissions journey (learn, schedule, tour/interview, invitation to apply, decision, enrollment), rolling admissions, open houses, and earned media coverage in Education Week, ABC24, and WREG Live at 9. The customer base is Memphis-area families seeking alternatives to conventional education, including homeschooling families seeking outdoor enrichment and working parents needing summer programming.

Name

The Lab School of Memphis

Legal name

The Lab School of Memphis, Inc.

Website

https://thelabschoolofmemphis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lab School of Memphis is a nonprofit, Cognia-accredited K-8 microschool in Memphis, Tennessee offering nature-based, learner-driven education through a multi-age studio model, project-based Quests, and weekly Forest School programming for Memphis-area families seeking alternatives to conventional schooling.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Private K-8 education
• Nature-based learning
• Project-based curriculum
• Microschool education
• Progressive school

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

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, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. K-8 Tuition: Annual tuition of $14,000 for K-8th grade students. Primary revenue stream for the school year program. Non-refundable tuition and fees.
2. Forest School Program: Homeschool program at Agricenter International for ages 6-8 and 9-11. 10-week spring session at $750 per family. Includes unstructured exploratory time, seasonally-based activities, and foundational skills extensions.
3. Summer Camp (Lion Link): Weekly summer camp programs for ages 4-12. Full day: $240/week, Half day: $140/week. Various themes including Outdoor Adventure, Movie Maker, Science Week, Builder & LEGO Week, Around the World, Movement, and Art.
4. Donations: Donations accepted through GoFundMe platform to support the school's scholarship fund and operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Lab School of Memphis is a private K-8 microschool offering an integrated progressive education program that combines self-paced Core Skills instruction in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies with 5-8 week Quest-based project learning, weekly Forest School outdoor experiences at Agricenter International, and Music & Theater programming. Standalone offerings include the proprietary Me Among the Trees™ PK-6 nature-based curriculum, weekly LionLink Summer Camp sessions for ages 4-12, and 10-week Forest School homeschool sessions for ages 6-11.

Product overview

The Lab School of Memphis is an innovative microschool offering an integrated K-8 educational program in Memphis, Tennessee. The core offering combines multiple learning modalities: the Core Skills program for foundational academics using personalized, self-paced curriculum; Quests for project-based interdisciplinary learning; the Forest School Program for weekly outdoor nature-based experiences at Agricenter International; and Music & Theater for whole-child development. Standalone offerings include the Me Among the Trees™ PK-6 nature-based curriculum (available to homeschool families and school-based educators), LionLink Summer Camp (weekly themed day camps for ages 4-12), and Forest School homeschool sessions. The school operates from a constructivist educational philosophy, combining elements of Waldorf, Montessori, and unschooling approaches within a multi-age studio learning environment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Me Among the Trees™: A PK-6 nature-based curriculum connecting nature and neighborhood to classroom study across grade levels, designed for implementation in backyards, schoolyards, or local parks with anti-bias anti-racist values.
• LionLink Summer Camp

Products and services

• K-8 Microschool Academic Program Full-time K-8 progressive educational program at 1738 Galloway Avenue, Memphis, serving ages 5-11 with annual tuition of $14,000. Combines Core Skills, Quests, Music & Theater, and Forest School into an integrated learner-driven experience.
• Forest School Program Nature-based outdoor learning program at Agricenter International offering homeschool programming for ages 6-8 and 9-11 on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 9am-2pm. Includes unstructured exploratory time, seasonally-based activities, foundational skills extensions, and sensorial play. Priced at $750 per family for a 10-week spring session.
• LionLink Summer Camp Weekly themed summer day camp for ages 4-12 with themes including Outdoor Adventure, Movie Maker, Science Week, Builder & LEGO Week, Around the World, Movement, and Art. Full-day runs 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM at $240/week; half-day runs 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM at $140/week.
• Me Among the Trees™ PK-6 Nature-Based Curriculum Proprietary PK-6 nature-based curriculum connecting nature and neighborhood to classroom study across grade levels, steeped in anti-bias anti-racist values of identity, diversity, justice, and activism. Designed to be implemented in backyards, schoolyards, or local parks.
• Quests (Project-Based Learning Cycles) 5-8 week project-based learning cycles where learners actively construct their own learning and collaborate with peers to complete public products responding to questions, challenges, or points of curiosity, culminating in Exhibition events for families.
• Music & Theater Program Theater class teaching skills through six acting tools - body, voice, mind, cooperation, imagination, and heart - building life skills including active listening, creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Studies show outdoor education increases standardized test scores, enhanced attitude about school, improved in-school behavior, improved attendance, and overall enhanced student achievement (American Institute of Research)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Agricenter InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner location for the Forest School Program where learners visit weekly to focus on agriculture, forestry, and wildlife education. The partnership enables hands-on nature-based experiences that build self-esteem, confidence, independence, and creativity.
• CogniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal education accreditation body providing accreditation services. The Lab School is proud to be Cognia Accredited, joining the world's largest education community serving more than 30,000 schools.
• Tennessee Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency administering the Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) program for families zoned for Memphis Shelby County Schools. The Lab School accepts ESA funds for tuition but is not involved in ESA approval decisions.
• Acton AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Acton Academy network of innovative schools. Follows the Acton Academy educational philosophy combining multiple pedagogical approaches including Montessori, Waldorf, and unschooling methods with constructivist theory.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cedarsong Nature School: A forest-school model operating almost entirely outdoors with nature-immersed pedagogy. Closely comparable to Lab School's Forest School Program at Agricenter International and to its nature-anchored 'Me Among the Trees™' curriculum.
• Prenda: A microschool platform that equips guides to run small, learner-driven K-12 learning groups, often in homes or rented spaces. Directly comparable business model: small group size, learner-led practice, guide-as-facilitator role, similar to Lab School's studio model.
• Acton Academy: The parent network of which The Lab School of Memphis is an affiliate. Acton Academy is the originator of the learner-driven, multi-age studio model combining Montessori, Waldorf, and Socratic methods; Lab School explicitly operates as an Acton Academy and follows this philosophy directly.
• Wildflower Schools: A national network of small, learner-driven microschools rooted in Montessori practice. Comparable in small-school size, learner-driven pedagogy, and the goal of building a network of independent sites rather than a single centralized campus.
• KaiPod Learning: A microschool platform supporting learner-driven, small-group programs for K-12 students. Directly comparable in studio-style instruction and guide-led delivery, addressing similar parent demand for alternatives to conventional schooling.
• New School Memphis: A Memphis-based Acton Academy affiliate that operates the Middle School Studio referenced on Lab School's website. Sister school in the same city and network, serving overlapping families as Lab School learners age up.

Emerging players

• Synthesis: An online and in-person microschool program explicitly inspired by Acton Academy's learner-driven, Socratic, project-based approach. Comparable pedagogy with a younger operating history and a more technology-mediated delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Great Hearts Academies: A charter management organization operating classical, tuition-free K-12 schools across multiple states. Competes for the same alternative-education-seeking families, though with a structured classical curriculum rather than Lab School's constructivist model.
• KIPP Memphis: A Memphis-area K-12 public charter network offering an alternative to conventional public schools. Competes for the same families dissatisfied with neighborhood schools, though operating at much larger scale with a different pedagogical model.

Regional players

• Lausanne Collegiate School: A well-established private PK-12 college-prep school in Memphis. Competes with Lab School for the same upper-income Memphis families seeking private education, though operating with a more traditional college-preparatory model rather than a progressive microschool.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-lab-school-of-memphis

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Lab School of Memphis