The Museum School of Avondale Estates

What The Museum School of Avondale Estates does

The Museum School of Avondale Estates is a free public charter school serving grades K-8 in DeKalb County, Georgia, founded circa 2011 and operating under a nonprofit 501(c)(3) structure. The school's core differentiator is the "Museum Model" — an interdisciplinary curriculum in which students engage with museum-style exhibits, conduct student-led Learning Expeditions, and present findings at community Exhibit Nights. Supplementary programs include Museum in a Box (mobile exhibit delivery), the CREW after-school care program, Exploratories and Electives enrichment (art, music, STEM, PE), Exceptional Student Education and gifted services, the Erin's Closet equity initiative, and the Kelbaugh Alumni Scholarship ($1,000 awards to TMS graduates). The school enrolls approximately 500 students.

The business model combines two revenue streams: per-pupil public funding from DeKalb County School District under the school's charter authorization, and supplementary fundraising through The Museum School Foundation (a separate 501(c)(3) founded in 2011). Foundation revenue is diversified across Annual Fund donations (suggested $160 per family; tiered Supporter through Visionary Circle giving levels), grants, corporate sponsorships, and annual fundraising events such as the Boosterthon Fun Run ($45,000 target in 2025-2026) and Teacher Mini-Grants ($8,000+ awarded in 2024-2025). GTM is community-led: enrollment runs through a lottery-based admission process with active parent word-of-mouth. Leadership comprises Executive Director Katherine Kelbaugh (founding principal, Ph.D. in Educational Administration, University of Georgia), Principal Hope Black (Title IX Officer), Assistant Principal Lillian Galicia, Business Manager Tish Craig, Governing Board Chair Cameron Lewis, and Foundation Board Chair Amy Tabb.

Operationally, TMS occupies the former Forrest Hills Elementary building at 923 Forrest Blvd., Decatur, GA under a 10-year lease with two five-year extensions (2012-2032) from DeKalb County School District at no rent per Georgia law O.C.G.A. §20-2-2068.2. The school has invested over $10 million in facility improvements, including a $2 million Media Center construction, and holds 2024 Cognia School of Distinction recognition. The organization reports 66 employees and is governed by a volunteer Governing Board with separate Foundation Board oversight.

Name

The Museum School of Avondale Estates

Legal name

The Museum School of Avondale Estates

Website

https://themuseumschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Free K-8 public charter school in DeKalb County, Georgia serving approximately 500 students through its proprietary Museum Model curriculum, combining interdisciplinary exhibits and learning expeditions. Funded by per-pupil state allocations and Museum School Foundation fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-8 public school
• Museum-based learning
• Interdisciplinary curriculum
• Project-based learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Public Funding: The school receives per-pupil funding from DeKalb County School District, similar to other public schools. However, this funding does not fully cover the unique museum-based educational experience.
2. Foundation Fundraising: The Museum School Foundation (501(c)(3)) raises funds to bridge the gap between public funding and resources needed for the museum model, special programs, smaller class sizes, and professional development.
3. Annual Fund Donations: Annual Fund campaign with suggested $160/family donation level. Includes various donor tiers: Supporter ($1-$499), Community Circle ($500-$999), Leadership Circle ($1,000-$2,499), Visionary Circle ($2,500+).
4. Grants: Foundation pursues grants for capital improvements, programs, and operational support including Teacher Mini-Grants.
5. Boosterthon Fun Run: Annual spring fundraising event targeting $45,000 for Student Support and Enrichment programs.
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate and community partnership sponsorship program with varying benefits for local businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Museum School of Avondale Estates is a free public charter school serving grades K-8 in DeKalb County, Georgia, using a proprietary "Museum Model" curriculum that integrates interdisciplinary learning through museum-style exhibits, student-led Learning Expeditions, and Exhibit Nights. The core K-8 education is supplemented by standalone programs including the CREW after-school program, Museum in a Box mobile exhibits, gifted and Exceptional Student Education services, and an array of Exploratories & Electives (art, music, STEM, PE). Student admission is provided free of charge through a lottery-based enrollment system with per-pupil public funding supplemented by foundation donations and grants.

Product overview

The Museum School of Avondale Estates is a free public charter school serving grades K-8 in DeKalb County, Georgia. The school operates a unified educational platform centered on its Museum Model curriculum—an interdisciplinary approach where students learn through museum-style exhibits, learning expeditions, and real-world connections. The core K-8 education offering is supported by supplementary programs including the CREW after-school program, Museum in a Box mobile exhibits, Exhibit Nights for student presentations, Exploratories & Electives enrichment courses, Exceptional Student Education services, Erin's Closet equity initiative, and the Kelbaugh Alumni Scholarship for graduates. The school emphasizes experiential, project-based learning that connects academic content across subjects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-8 Charter School Education Free public charter school education serving grades K-8 in DeKalb County, Georgia, delivered through the proprietary Museum Model curriculum that integrates interdisciplinary learning with museum-style exhibits and student-led Learning Expeditions culminating in Exhibit Nights. Funded via per-pupil public funding and Foundation donations; admission by lottery.
• Museum in a Box Mobile museum exhibit program that brings hands-on learning materials and museum experiences to classrooms and the broader community, extending the museum-based learning model beyond the school campus.
• CREW After School Program After-school care and enrichment program operated in partnership with the STEP Afterschool Program, providing supervised activities, homework help, and enrichment opportunities for TMS students with separate enrollment from the regular school day.
• Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and Gifted Services Special education and gifted education services supporting students with exceptionalities, including IEP-driven support, gifted certification, and related differentiated instruction delivered within the public charter school setting.
• Kelbaugh Alumni Scholarship $1,000 scholarship awarded to selected TMS graduates pursuing undergraduate or graduate education, established in 2025 and named after founding Executive Director Katherine Kelbaugh. Celebrates the school's core values of respect, responsibility, creativity, cooperation, kindness, and sustainability.
• Erin's Closet Equity Initiative Equity-focused initiative providing TMS students with access to essential resources including technology, uniforms, healthy snacks, school supplies, transportation, meals, and instructional support, addressing basic needs to support learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2024 Cognia School of Distinction recognition
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeKalb County School District (DCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCSD is the authorizer of The Museum School's charter and provides per-pupil funding. The school occupies the former Forrest Hills Elementary building under a 10-year lease with two five-year extensions (2012-2032) at no rent cost per Georgia law O.C.G.A. §20-2-2068.2.
• The Museum School FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation is the 501(c)(3) fundraising arm of the school, formed in 2011 to raise capital for growth. Governed by a volunteer board working with the Governing Board to identify needs and priorities.
• Cognia (formerly AdvancED)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation body that recognized the school as a 2024 Cognia School of Distinction for Excellence in Education.
• STEP Afterschool ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEP provides the CREW after-school care program at TMS. The program is highlighted in school communications and operates with separate enrollment.
• Right at SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides before and after school care services for families, referenced as TMS After Care option on school website.
• Captain Planet FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school installed a Captain Planet Learning Garden as a teaching tool, providing strategies for building effective garden-based learning programs.
• Cartridge WorldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecycling program where students, parents, and staff turn in empty printer cartridges and the school receives money for each cartridge collected.
• Cremalosa GelatominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner for Back to School Bash community event, providing gelato, sorbet, coffee, and pastries at the annual event.
• City of Avondale EstatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing venue at Town Green for Back to School Bash. The city also provided a gate into the adjacent city park for student walking/biking access.
• Kilometer Kids / Atlanta Track ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsored running club for 4th and 5th graders, with spring training programs for student athletes.
• The Book BirdminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bookstore partner featured at Back to School Bash and Black History Month Block Party bookfair.
• Birdi DentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner participating in Back to School Bash community event.
• Associated Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal credit union partner participating in Back to School Bash community event.
• National Association of Museum SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization for schools utilizing museum-based educational models, providing resources and networking for the museum education approach.
• Brave + Kind BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bookstore partner hosting mini bookfair during Black History Month Block Party as part of Black Children's Book Week.
• Explorers AthleticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAthletics program managing middle school sports including cross country, volleyball, soccer, and cheerleading.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BASIS Charter Schools: BASIS operates a national network of high-performing tuition-free public charter schools known for rigorous curriculum. TMS is comparable as a free public charter differentiated by a specialized curricular model (museum-based learning) and supported by community fundraising.
• EL Education: EL Education is a national network of K-12 schools using expeditionary, project-based learning with public exhibitions of student work. TMS's Museum Model with learning expeditions and Exhibit Nights is a near-direct pedagogical analog, making EL Education the closest peer on instructional approach.
• Paideia School: Paideia is a progressive, project-based private school in Atlanta serving ages 3-18 with an interdisciplinary curriculum philosophy. While private rather than public charter, its progressive pedagogy and family-engagement culture overlap meaningfully with TMS's Museum Model.
• Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School: ANCS is a tuition-free public charter school in Atlanta serving grades K-8 with an innovative, community-oriented educational model. It competes with TMS for metro Atlanta families seeking alternatives to traditional public schools.
• Drew Charter School: Drew Charter is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades K-8 in metro Atlanta. It is the closest local direct peer operating under a similar charter model and competing for the same DeKalb County family demographic.
• KIPP: KIPP is the largest U.S. charter school network operating tuition-free, mission-driven K-12 public charter schools. TMS is comparable as a mission-driven public charter with community-led enrollment and supplemental fundraising through an affiliated foundation.
• The Mount Vernon School: Mount Vernon is an innovative private school in Atlanta (Preschool-12) built around project-based, inquiry-driven learning. Its pedagogical orientation to exhibitions and real-world application mirrors TMS's Museum Model, making it a relevant approach-level peer even though private.

Broad incumbents

• DeKalb County School District: DCSD is the public school district that authorizes TMS's charter, provides per-pupil funding, and leases the building. As the broader incumbent K-12 provider in the same geography, DCSD sets the baseline offering and competitive context for TMS.
• Westminster Schools: Westminster is a prestigious PreK-12 private school in Atlanta. As a broad incumbent competitor for educationally engaged DeKalb County families, Westminster represents the higher-tuition alternative against which TMS's free museum-based model is differentiated.
• Gwinnett County Public Schools: Gwinnett County Public Schools is the largest school district in Georgia and a neighboring broad incumbent K-12 provider in metro Atlanta. It serves as a regional benchmark for the public-school baseline against which TMS competes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/themuseumschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/themuseumschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-museum-school-of-avondale-estates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Museum School of Avondale Estates