Wesley International Academy

What Wesley International Academy does

Wesley International Academy is a tuition-free public charter K-8 school located in Atlanta, Georgia, serving approximately 800 students. Founded in 2006 and operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it is distinguished as the only public charter school in Atlanta offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) World Programme alongside daily Mandarin Chinese instruction from kindergarten through 8th grade. The IB framework is delivered through the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for grades K-5 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6-8. The school holds Title I school of distinction status and has been designated the #1 Green Flag Eco School in Georgia. Core academic delivery is supported by standard educational software platforms (Accelerated Reader, Tumblebooks, First in Math) rather than proprietary technology systems.

The school's revenue model is a hybrid of public per-pupil allocations and private fundraising. Primary funding flows through Georgia's per-pupil state funding mechanism, supplemented by donations channeled through the Red Thread Annual Fund, PTSA memberships priced at $10 per family, and uniform-store sales. Admission is lottery-based, with documented excess demand relative to available seats. Leadership has been stable, with Executive Director Jason Marshall (Harvard MEd) in place since 2016, supported by Principal Dr. Raymond Edwards and CFO Lisa Price, along with assistant principals across grade-level divisions.

The organization employs approximately 82 staff and reported 99% teacher retention for the 2025-2026 academic year. It is currently completing an $8 million campus renovation project, with planned return to the campus for the 2026-2027 school year. Wesley is not an equity-backed enterprise; it is a regulated, mission-driven educational institution whose economics are dictated by per-pupil state funding rates and donor support rather than commercial pricing.

Name

Wesley International Academy

Legal name

Wesley International Academy

Website

https://wesleyacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Wesley International Academy is a tuition-free public charter K-8 school in Atlanta, serving approximately 800 students via the IB World Programme and daily Mandarin Chinese instruction. The 501(c)(3) is funded by state per-pupil allocations and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 Public Charter Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Public charter school
• International baccalaureate education
• K-8 education
• Mandarin chinese instruction
• Elementary middle school

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school within Atlanta Public Schools, Wesley receives per-pupil state funding based on enrollment. This constitutes the primary revenue stream for school operations.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Wesley's Red Thread Annual Fund supports community, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The fund equips classroom teachers and students while providing funds for creative, innovative programs, covering the gap between state funding and actual education costs. Wesley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
3. PTSA Membership and Store Sales: PTSA membership fees ($10 per family) and proceeds from the Wesley School Store selling uniform-approved apparel and gently worn uniforms support school community programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wesley International Academy is a free public charter school serving approximately 800 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade within the Atlanta Public Schools zone. It delivers an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World Programme education—PYP for grades K-5 and MYP for grades 6-8—paired with daily Mandarin Chinese language instruction from kindergarten through 8th grade, plus enrichment in technology, creative arts, media/library services, athletics, and student clubs. Enrollment is determined by an annual lottery and the school is supported by per-pupil state funding through Atlanta Public Schools together with community donations.

Product overview

Wesley International Academy is an Atlanta public charter school serving approximately 800 students in grades K-8. The school operates as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Programme School, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for K-5 and Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6-8. Core academic offerings are complemented by specialized programs including daily Mandarin Chinese instruction, Technology Education, Creative Arts (music, visual art, drama), and a comprehensive Media Center. The school provides extracurricular activities through Athletics and Student Clubs. A signature program is the Asian Culture Tour for middle school students involving international travel for cultural immersion. The school follows Georgia Standards of Excellence while incorporating IB methodology and approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) Inquiry-based curriculum framework for grades K-5 structured around six transdisciplinary themes, developing the whole child as an inquirer and emphasizing the IB Learner Profile attributes.
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) Framework for grades 6-8 encouraging creative, critical, and reflective thinking, with emphasis on intellectual challenge and connections between traditional subjects and real-world applications.
• Mandarin Chinese Language Program Daily 45-minute Mandarin Chinese instruction from state-certified teachers across K-8, covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing with cultural immersion activities.
• Technology Education Technology classes for all K-8 students as part of the Specials rotation; PYP focuses on coding, robotics, multimedia design, and digital citizenship; MYP applies the design cycle methodology for problem-solving and solution creation.
• Creative Arts Music education including Orff ensemble, world music exploration, and Chinese and African drums for PYP; visual arts in 9-week rotations; drama for MYP emphasizing expression and cultural analysis.
• Media Center Services School library with Destiny Quest catalog, Accelerated Reader program, JLG Digital e-books, Tumblebooks, and Galileo research databases; hosts the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team and author visits.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports for MYP students (grades 6-8), including flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cheer/tumbling, and ultimate frisbee, with league championships in girl's basketball and flag football.
• Student Clubs Variety of clubs including Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, Robotics, Girls on the Run, Debate, Garden Club, Phoenix News, IB Ambassadors, Beta Club, SGA, Step Team, G.L.O.W., TrailblazHERS, and Accelerated Chinese.
• Asian Culture Tour Summer immersion program for 6th-8th grade students offering international travel for Chinese language and culture immersion.
• Exceptional Education Services Exceptional Education services including MTSS/504 accommodations coordinated by a dedicated coordinator to support students with diverse learning needs.
• Counseling and Student Support Services Comprehensive school counseling program rated Platinum Level by Atlanta Public Schools, supported by three full-time counselors, a full-time Social Worker, and a Family Engagement Specialist.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% teacher retention for the 2025-2026 school year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Baccalaureate (IB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesley International Academy is an IB World School, authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization. The school offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for grades K-5 and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6-8. This authorization enables the school to deliver the IB curriculum framework focusing on developing internationally-minded students with global engagement, intercultural understanding, and multilingualism.
• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesley International Academy is a public charter school authorized by Atlanta Public Schools. APS provides oversight, per-pupil funding, and administrative support. Wesley follows APS standards and educational guidelines set forth by the Board of Education, incorporating Georgia Standards of Excellence with IB methodology.
• Premier Sportz GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party sports organization providing flag football, volleyball, and fall cheer/tumbling programs for Wesley students through the school's athletic department.
• FCS (Baseball)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization providing baseball programming for Wesley students through the school's athletic department in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools.
• Flynn O'Hara UniformsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial uniform vendor for Wesley International Academy. Families can order uniforms online or in-store at the Sandy Springs location. The school patch comes pre-adhered when purchased through Flynn O'Hara.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Westminster Schools: Prestigious Atlanta private K-12 day school. Comparable to Wesley as a high-achieving Atlanta school competing for similar globally-minded, college-prep-focused families, though private tuition-based and not a direct lottery competitor.
• Woodward Academy: Large independent K-12 day school in metro Atlanta. Comparable to Wesley as a competing Atlanta school for college-prep-oriented families, though private tuition-based and serving a broader geographic draw than APS zone.
• The Lovett School: Established Atlanta private K-12 day school. Comparable to Wesley as a top-tier Atlanta school targeting academically focused families in the same metro, though tuition-based rather than public charter.

Direct peers

• Atlanta Classical Academy: APS-authorized public charter school in Atlanta with a classical curriculum focus. Comparable to Wesley as a lottery-enrolled K-8 public charter within Atlanta Public Schools zone, competing for similar families seeking an alternative to traditional public schools.
• KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools: Regional KIPP charter network operating multiple public charter schools across metro Atlanta. Comparable to Wesley on charter model, lottery enrollment, and per-pupil funding — competing for similar families seeking rigorous college-prep alternatives.
• Atlanta International School: Atlanta-based private school offering IB continuum (PYP/MYP/DP) with multilingual immersion. Comparable to Wesley on IB framework and international curriculum, though tuition-based; serves as a private alternative for the same globally-minded Atlanta families.
• Centennial Academy: Atlanta public charter school serving elementary and middle grades under APS authorization. Directly comparable as a fellow lottery-based charter competing for APS-zone families with similar per-pupil revenue model.
• International Charter School of Atlanta: Atlanta public charter school offering IB curriculum; directly comparable to Wesley as a K-8 IB-focused public charter within the same metro, competing for the same APS-zone families via lottery-based enrollment.
• The Kindezi School: Atlanta-based public charter school network. Comparable to Wesley as a fellow Atlanta charter operating under public funding with lottery-based enrollment for the same APS-zone families.
• Charles R. Drew Charter School: APS-authorized public charter school in Atlanta serving elementary and middle grades. Directly comparable as a fellow APS lottery-enrolled charter competing for the same zone families with similar public-funding economics.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WesleyInt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClpDVm5J2Im9scOcsBppEVw
• Facebookfacebook.com/WesleyInternationalAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/wesleyacademyatlanta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wesley-international-academy

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Wesley International Academy