The Timothy School

What The Timothy School does

The Timothy School, founded in 1966 as a mission of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, is the oldest non-profit approved private school in Pennsylvania devoted exclusively to teaching students with autism. Headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, the school serves approximately 70 students ages 5-21 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, drawn from 25+ public school districts across Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The school operates five core programs - Elementary, Middle School, Prevocational, Secondary, and Transition - supported by integrated therapeutic services including Speech Therapy/AAC, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Physical Education. Its core methodology combines Structured Teaching, Applied Behavior Analysis, Functional Communication Systems, and Positive Behavioral Supports, delivered at a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio with 4-5 students per classroom.

The school does not charge tuition to Pennsylvania-resident families; placements are funded by the resident school district under state and federal FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) requirements, with state pass-through funding when available. A secondary revenue stream comes from donations and grants routed through The Timothy Fund, The Timothy Tech Fund, and named sponsor programs, supporting capital items such as the Occupational Therapy Sensory Room. The school's go-to-market is sales-led through district referral partnerships, supplemented by quarterly tours, a monthly newsletter, and active social media presence. The transition program includes 12+ on-campus internship experiences (Coffee Bar, School Store, Timothy Cleaners, Timothy Crafters, TimTV) and off-campus partnerships with employers such as Wawa, Holiday Inn Express, Peppers by Amedeo's, and Daylesford Crossing.

The organization is led by Executive Director Sarah Greim, who has served the school for more than two decades in successive roles, and is governed by an independent Board of Trustees with no parent company or external equity ownership. In recent years the school has extended its footprint beyond direct student services through TIM Academy, an Act 48-approved consultative and professional development offering for external educators across the Mid-Atlantic region, and through the TimBits video series produced with Be The Good Media. With 59 employees, a faculty/staff tenure averaging 10+ years, and 60+ years of operating history, the school occupies a long-tenured, vertically specialized position in Pennsylvania's autism education landscape.

Name

The Timothy School

Legal name

The Timothy School

Website

https://thetimothyschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Timothy School is a Pennsylvania non-profit approved private school serving approximately 70 students ages 5-21 with autism across five educational programs, funded primarily by public school district tuition and supplemented by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education Alternative / Nonpublic Schools (NPS) & Placements (EDAKAAAF)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Autism education programs
• Structured teaching methods
• Applied behavior analysis
• Transition and vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Berwyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public School District Funding: Pennsylvania residents do not pay tuition. Placements meet state and federal requirements for FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). School districts assume tuition costs with state funding provided when available.
2. Donations and Grants: The school receives grants from foundations (Eagles Autism Foundation $25,000, Brian C. Zwaan Legacy Fund $3,000, Westminster Presbyterian Church $13,000) and individual donations through The Timothy Fund, Timothy Tech Fund, and other giving programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Timothy School is the oldest non-profit approved private school in Pennsylvania devoted exclusively to teaching students with autism spectrum disorder, ages 5-21. It delivers year-round educational programs (Elementary, Middle School, Secondary, Prevocational, Transition) supported by integrated therapeutic services (Speech/AAC, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Physical Education) and on-campus and community-based internship programs that build communication, independence, and job-readiness skills. Placements are funded by resident school districts, with no tuition charged to Pennsylvania families.

Product overview

The Timothy School is the oldest non-profit approved private school in Pennsylvania devoted exclusively to teaching students with autism. The school offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs across five core programs: Elementary (ages 5-11), Middle School (ages 12-16), Prevocational, Secondary (ages 17-21), and Transition programs. These programs are supported by integrated therapeutic services including Speech Therapy/AAC, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Physical Education. The school also operates TIM Academy for professional development and consultative services, on-campus internship programs (Coffee Cart, School Store, TimTV, Timothy Cleaners, Timothy Crafters), and fundraising programs including The Timothy Fund and The Timothy Tech Fund. The organization is not a technology product company but an educational service provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TimBits: A short video series launched in celebration of the 60th Anniversary, sharing the tools, strategies and everyday moments that help students learn, connect and build independence. The series unfolds across 60 videos—one for each year of the school's history.
• TIM Academy
• The Timothy Fund
• The Timothy Tech Fund
• The Timothy School Store
• Timothy Crafters

Products and services

• Elementary Program Day-school program serving students with autism ages 5-11 through individualized and small-group instruction, 4-5 students per classroom and an average 2:1 student-to-staff ratio, using structured teaching methods.
• Middle School Program Day-school program serving students with autism ages 12-16 through departmentalized academics, integrated therapies, Daily Living Center instruction, and on-campus internships.
• Prevocational Program Provides on-campus prevocational internship experiences including Coffee Cart, Popcorn Cart, School Store, TimTV, Timothy Cleaners, and Timothy Crafters to teach responsibility, teamwork and independence.
• Secondary Program Program serving young adults ages 17-21, focusing on transition planning, vocational training, independent living skills, functional academics and community-based learning using the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES).
• Transition Program Begins at age 14 and continues through graduation, preparing students and families for life after The Timothy School through individualized transition planning for employment, independent living, post-secondary education and community participation.
• Speech Therapy/AAC Speech-Language Pathology services using a total communication approach with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) including PECS, switches, and high-tech devices like iPads to support communication independence.
• Occupational Therapy Develops daily living, educational and vocational skills for greater independence, addressing fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, motor planning, sensory processing and visual-perceptual integration.
• Music Therapy Students participate in Music Therapy three days per week to strengthen communication and social skills, support sensory integration and encourage self-expression.
• Physical Education Focuses on lifetime leisure skills including bowling, basketball, rollerblading, miniature golf and other physical fitness activities to enable participation in home and community activities.
• TIM Academy (Consultative & Training Services) Extends The Timothy School's expertise beyond campus through on-site and off-site professional development, classroom assessments, and consultative services; approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as an Act 48 provider for professional credit hours.
• The Timothy Fund Cornerstone giving program supporting areas of greatest need including programs, services and resources that benefit all students, paired with the Timothy Tech Fund for assistive and classroom technology.
• Community Partners Program Builds partnerships with local businesses and organizations providing internship opportunities (Wawa, Peppers by Amedeo's, Holiday Inn Express, Berwyn Library, Daylesford Crossing, Coffee Closet with Barista Jake) and community-based instruction.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 92 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services supporting students
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and historic.

• WawacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOff-campus internship partner providing students with workplace experiences. Students wear Wawa uniforms and work at Wawa locations as part of their transition program, gaining authentic work experience and job readiness skills.
• Peppers by Amedeo'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant internship partner offering students real-world food service and customer service experience as part of community-based instruction.
• Holiday Inn ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOff-campus internship site providing students with hospitality industry workplace experience and job skills development.
• Berwyn LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity internship partner offering students experience in a professional setting while building workplace routines and responsibilities.
• Daylesford CrossingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare/hospitality internship partner providing students with workplace experience in assisted living environment.
• Coffee Closet with Barista Jake/Jakes BaristascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-campus and community internship partner providing students with barista training and customer service experience. The program has grown from a Coffee Cart to a full Coffee Bar.
• The Saturday ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization that transformed campus with seasonal decorations, donated school supplies and classroom materials. Executive Director Sarah Greim presented at their September membership meeting.
• Wayne Art CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner20+ year partnership supporting the Heart for Autism Art Show and student art programs. Sponsors include Best Healthcare Planning, Acclaim Autism, CCRES (Presenting Sponsor), and many others.
• Bryn Mawr Presbyterian ChurchhistoricStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school was founded in 1966 as a mission of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church for children who were not allowed to attend school, marking the origin of the institution.
• Wayne Business AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Timothy School is a member, working alongside community leaders to create a more inclusive future.
• Chester County Chamber of Business and IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school is a member, working with community leaders to create a more inclusive future for students with autism.
• Conestoga High School Key ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization that supported the 8th Annual Family Fun Run 5K, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the event.
• Bryn Mawr Running CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent facilitator for the Heart & Sole Family Fun Run 5K, helping organize and run the annual fundraising event.
• Full Spectrum FitnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent partner leading warm-up activities at the Heart & Sole Family Fun Run 5K.
• Be The Good MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia production partner that created the TimBits video series, a 60-video series celebrating 60 years of the school's impact, with photography by Jaci Downs Photography.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Watson Institute: Pennsylvania-based non-profit operating special education schools and programs for students with autism and other disabilities. Closely comparable in district-referred nonpublic schooling, therapeutic services, and transition programming.
• Melmark: Pennsylvania-based non-profit providing school, residential, and adult services for individuals with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities. Directly comparable as a regional, autism-specialized nonpublic school operator with ABA and Structured Teaching methodologies.
• Vista Autism Services: Pennsylvania non-profit operating autism-specific schools and adult services using Applied Behavior Analysis. Directly comparable in operating dedicated autism schools serving district-referred students.
• Woods Services: Pennsylvania non-profit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism-specific education and transition programs. Directly comparable as a regional nonpublic school and lifespan service provider.
• NHS Human Services: Pennsylvania-headquartered non-profit providing special education schools, behavioral health, and intellectual/developmental disability services. Comparable as a regional operator of district-referred autism and special education schools.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large non-profit provider of behavioral health services including approved private schools for students with autism and emotional/behavioral disorders. Comparable in operating district-referred special education schools, though at significantly larger scale and broader service mix.
• Bancroft: New Jersey-based non-profit operating autism-specialized schools and programs for children and adults. Closely comparable in mission, evidence-based clinical model, and district-referred placement model.
• Elwyn: Pennsylvania-based non-profit serving children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism, including approved private school programs. Comparable as a regional nonpublic special education provider with transition and adult services.

Regional players

• KenCrest: Pennsylvania-based non-profit providing early intervention, special education, and adult services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism. Comparable in mission and PA presence, though emphasis skews to early intervention and adult services rather than K–12 schooling.

Broad incumbents

• Easter Seals Southeastern Pennsylvania: Regional affiliate of Easter Seals providing special education, therapy, and family support services for individuals with disabilities including autism. Comparable in mission and district partnerships but operates a broader portfolio rather than a single autism-exclusive school.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheTimothySchool-YouTube/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Timothyschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-timothy-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/thetimothyschool

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Timothy School