Trident Academy

What Trident Academy does

Trident Academy is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) K-12 school located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, founded in 1972 to serve cognitively capable students diagnosed with language-based learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. The school's core academic model is built around the Orton-Gillingham approach, a structured, diagnostic, and multi-sensory (visual-auditory-kinesthetic) methodology integrated across all subject areas, augmented by an explicit executive function skills curriculum. Trident's assistive technology stack layers 1-to-1 touchscreen Chromebooks with SchoolAI (generative AI tutoring), Read & Write Toolbar, Immersive Reader, Read Along, Book Creator, Pear Deck, and Figjam. The school operates a transition model in which students typically remain enrolled for three to four years before returning to traditional educational environments.

The business model is tuition-driven: $37,400 per student for the 2026-27 academic year covers approximately 88% of operating expenses, with the remaining 12% bridged by an Annual Fund and named scholarships (Lisa DiFabio Tronco, Myron and Ann Harrington, Patriot). Ancillary revenue streams include a four-week Summer Enrichment Program ($950-$1,100 per class), 1:1 Tutoring by OG-trained teachers, Homework Haven afterschool care ($25/quarter), and Soccer Shots programming. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and sales-led, managed by a Director of Admissions and Enrollment (transitioning July 1, 2026), supported by community-led growth through word-of-mouth referrals, a podcast ('Learning Differently, Thriving Wildly'), Parent Education Series webinars, dyslexia simulation events, and SEO-optimized content. Customer segments include full-time K-12 enrolled families, summer enrichment participants (rising 1st-8th graders), and external tutoring clients. Nearly 25% of students relocate from across the United States to attend, indicating a national addressable market despite the single-campus footprint.

The institution is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, SAIS, AdvancED/Cognia/SACS CASI, and holds membership in NAIS, PAIS, and SCISA. It is a founding member of the Association of LD Schools and was involved in establishing the Orton Society (now International Dyslexia Association). Leadership transitioned in April 2026 when Betsy Fanning retired after 11 years as Head of School, with Hacker Burr appointed Interim Head of School and a concurrent restructuring elevating Erik Kreutner to Assistant Head of School and COO and Jp Sticco to Director of Admissions and Enrollment, effective July 1, 2026.

Name

Trident Academy

Legal name

Trident Academy

Website

https://tridentacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trident Academy is a private nonprofit K-12 school in Mount Pleasant, SC serving cognitively capable students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences through a full-day Orton-Gillingham, executive function, and assistive technology program, with tuition of $37,400 annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Private K-12 School

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Dyslexia education program
• Structured literacy instruction
• Executive function coaching
• Learning differences school

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Pleasant

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from full-time K-12 enrollment. Tuition covers student accident insurance, books, technology and science lab fees, parent association dues, yearbook, and field trips. Approximately 88% of expenses covered by tuition.
2. Summer Enrichment Program: Four-week summer academic program (June 1-25) offering reading foundations, reading comprehension/applied writing, and multi-sensory math classes. Also includes optional camp add-on with creative arts, STEM, and fitness.
3. After School Programs: Revenue from Homework Haven supervision, Soccer Shots program, and Friday afterschool care.
4. Tutoring Services: 1:1 tutoring by Orton-Gillingham trained teachers available for Trident and external students outside school hours.
5. Annual Fund Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting school operations, teacher support, and maintaining small class sizes. Part of the 12% non-tuition revenue.
6. Special Scholarships: Named scholarships including Lisa DiFabio Tronco Scholarship and Myron and Ann Harrington Scholarship accept donations and provide financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Trident Academy operates a private K-12 day school for students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, delivering full-day immersive instruction grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach and supplemented by executive function coaching and assistive technology. Beyond the school-year program, the academy offers 1:1 tutoring, a summer enrichment program, after-school activities, athletics, school counseling, and educational programming for parents.

Product overview

Trident Academy is a private K-12 school offering a single, unified educational program specifically designed for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD). The core offering is the full-time school program that integrates Orton-Gillingham instruction, Executive Function Skills training, and Assistive Technology throughout all grade levels. The school provides supplementary programs including Summer Enrichment, 1:1 Tutoring, School Counseling, After School Activities, Athletics, a Podcast, and a Parent Education Series. The institution follows a 'Transition Model' where students typically attend for 3-4 years before transitioning back to traditional educational environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K-12 Private School Program Full-day private K-12 school program for students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, built around the Orton-Gillingham approach with executive function coaching and assistive technology. Targeted at families seeking immersive, remediation-focused instruction.
• 1:1 Tutoring Individualized one-on-one tutoring using Orton-Gillingham methodology for students who need targeted literacy support but are not enrolled in the full-day program. Available to current families and the broader community.
• Summer Enrichment Program Multi-level summer program that reinforces reading, writing, and executive function skills over the summer break, offered at tiered levels (e.g., Level 1, Level 2) to fit different age and skill ranges.
• After School Activities Program Structured after-school activities for enrolled students to support social engagement, enrichment, and continued skill development outside the academic day.
• Athletics Program School athletics program for enrolled students, providing team-based physical activity as part of the broader student experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students typically transition back to traditional schools within 3-4 years of enrollment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration10 records

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Exceptional SCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExceptional SC is a 501(c)(3) charity providing scholarships to SC K-12 students with special needs to attend independent schools. Trident Academy is an approved private school and encourages all families to apply for ECENC grants.
• Dr. Jessica AndersoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed School and Clinical Psychologist partnering with Trident Academy for psychoeducational evaluations. She leads Parent Education Series sessions and provides evaluation services for prospective and current students.
• Soccer ShotsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoccer Shots is a soccer fundamentals program offered on Trident's campus for students in grades K through 5. Runs Thursday afternoons from 3:00-4:00 throughout most of the school year.
• Publix Partners ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublix grocery stores support Trident Academy through their Partners program. By joining Club Publix, families can have a portion of eligible purchases donated to the school.
• Harris Teeter Together in EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHarris Teeter provides a percentage of purchases to Trident Academy through their Together in Education program. Trident's school code is 1304.
• International Dyslexia AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrident Academy was involved in the beginning stages of forming the Orton Society, now known as the International Dyslexia Association. School is IDA accredited. Provides resources and referrals to IDA for Orton-Gillingham approach information.
• College of Charleston and The CitadelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese institutions developed a Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education program to help further educate Trident Academy teachers in learning differences education.
• GuideStarminorOthersTrident Academy maintains a GuideStar profile and earned the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of non-profit information.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Forman School: Private boarding school in Connecticut for students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Comparable student population, individualized instruction model, and tuition tier.
• Eagle Hill School: Private K-12 school in Massachusetts for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD). Direct competitor in curriculum model, tuition tier, and target family profile.
• The Gow School: Private K-12 boarding school in New York serving students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Closely comparable OG-based curriculum and 3-4 year transition model.
• Kildonan School: Private K-12 school in New York serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences through Orton-Gillingham instruction. One of the most established direct peers to Trident in both mission and methodology.
• The Siena School: Private K-12 school with multiple campuses in the Mid-Atlantic serving students with language-based learning differences and ADHD. Comparable individualized OG-based instruction model.
• The Schenck School: Private K-6 school in Atlanta, GA serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences using Orton-Gillingham instruction. Comparable specialized curriculum focus and IDA-aligned pedagogy.
• The Lab School of Washington: Private K-12 school in Washington, D.C. for students with learning differences including dyslexia and ADHD. Directly comparable mission, integrated curriculum, and tuition price point.
• Winston Preparatory School: Multi-campus private school serving students with learning differences including dyslexia and ADHD. Comparable individualized instruction model and explicit transitional focus to mainstream schools.
• Landmark School: Private K-12 school in Massachusetts exclusively serving students with language-based learning differences, using the Orton-Gillingham approach. Directly comparable mission, pedagogy, and student profile to Trident Academy.

Regional players

• Charleston Collegiate School: Independent PreK-12 school in the Charleston, SC area. Recent institutional connection through Interim Head of School Hacker Burr. Regional comparable for tuition, market position, and family demographic, though not a direct LD-specialist competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Tridentacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/TridentAcademySC
• Instagraminstagram.com/tridentacademy72/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trident-academy

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Trident Academy