The Museum School of Avondale Estates
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersDecatur, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
The Museum School of Avondale Estates firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Museum School of Avondale Estates industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The Museum School of Avondale Estates is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Decatur
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Museum School of Avondale Estates business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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+).
- Grants: Foundation pursues grants for capital improvements, programs, and operational support including Teacher Mini-Grants.
- Boosterthon Fun Run: Annual spring fundraising event targeting $45,000 for Student Support and Enrichment programs.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate and community partnership sponsorship program with varying benefits for local businesses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Free K-8 Education |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Museum School of Avondale Estates product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The Museum School of Avondale Estates
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Museum School of Avondale Estates technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
The Museum School of Avondale Estates partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DeKalb County School District (DCSD)coreDCSD 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 FoundationcoreThe 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)minorAccreditation body that recognized the school as a 2024 Cognia School of Distinction for Excellence in Education.
- STEP Afterschool ProgramcoreSTEP provides the CREW after-school care program at TMS. The program is highlighted in school communications and operates with separate enrollment.
- Right at SchoolminorProvides before and after school care services for families, referenced as TMS After Care option on school website.
- Captain Planet FoundationminorThe school installed a Captain Planet Learning Garden as a teaching tool, providing strategies for building effective garden-based learning programs.
- Cartridge WorldminorRecycling program where students, parents, and staff turn in empty printer cartridges and the school receives money for each cartridge collected.
- Cremalosa GelatominorLocal business partner for Back to School Bash community event, providing gelato, sorbet, coffee, and pastries at the annual event.
- City of Avondale EstatesminorCommunity 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 ClubminorSponsored running club for 4th and 5th graders, with spring training programs for student athletes.
- The Book BirdminorLocal bookstore partner featured at Back to School Bash and Black History Month Block Party bookfair.
- Birdi DentalminorLocal business partner participating in Back to School Bash community event.
- Associated Credit UnionminorLocal credit union partner participating in Back to School Bash community event.
- National Association of Museum SchoolsminorProfessional organization for schools utilizing museum-based educational models, providing resources and networking for the museum education approach.
- Brave + Kind BooksminorLocal bookstore partner hosting mini bookfair during Black History Month Block Party as part of Black Children's Book Week.
- Explorers AthleticsminorAthletics program managing middle school sports including cross country, volleyball, soccer, and cheerleading.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Museum School of Avondale Estates competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
The Museum School of Avondale Estates social profiles
Digital presenceThe Museum School of Avondale Estates financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Museum School of Avondale Estates leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Museum School of Avondale Estates subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Museum School of Avondale Estates funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Museum School of Avondale Estates M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&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
What does The Museum School of Avondale Estates do?
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.
Is The Museum School of Avondale Estates a public or private company?
The Museum School of Avondale Estates is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Museum School of Avondale Estates founded?
The Museum School of Avondale Estates was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Museum School of Avondale Estates based?
The Museum School of Avondale Estates is headquartered in Decatur, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Museum School of Avondale Estates make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Per-Pupil Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are foundation Fundraising, annual Fund Donations, grants, boosterthon Fun Run and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are The Museum School of Avondale Estates's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BASIS Charter Schools, EL Education, Paideia School, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School, Drew Charter School, KIPP and The Mount Vernon School. Broad incumbents are DeKalb County School District, Westminster Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Does The Museum School of Avondale Estates have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Museum School of Avondale Estates.
What industry is The Museum School of Avondale Estates in?
The Museum School of Avondale Estates's product category is K-12 Charter School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAB, Public Elementary Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.