What The Lionheart School does

The Lionheart School, legally organized as Lionheart Life Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit school founded in September 2000 in Alpharetta, Georgia, serving children ages 5–21 with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences (including nonverbal learning disabilities, ADHD, sensory integration disorder, and language-based learning disabilities). The school operates from a purpose-built campus at 225 Roswell Street that opened in 2010, with a secondary site at 160 Academy Street housing The Cottage pre-vocational worksite. The organization is COGNIA SACS/SAIS accredited and applies a developmental, individual-difference, relationship-based philosophy grounded in the DIR® (Floortime) model, integrating occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, hippotherapy, music, art, drama, yoga, and experiential learning. Programs include Lionheart Gardens (a 6-acre organic farm adjacent to Lioncrest Farms used as a living classroom), The Cottage (design/production/retail worksite for HeartReach students), Hippotherapy (licensed American Hippotherapy Association therapist), Summer Farm Camp, Co-Curricular enrichment, Social Emotional Learning, Educational Technology (Promethean ActivPanels, Chromebooks, iPads), and Lionheart Radio (24/7 online station). Lionheart WORKS, launched in 2015, extends the continuum to adults 18+ through teamWORKS (group experiences) and iWORKS (independent employment) tracks and has served 90+ adults. The revenue model blends $33,000 annual tuition (covering ~60% of per-student educational cost), Georgia SB10 scholarships averaging $8,100 and Georgia GOAL scholarships averaging $8,000 (used by 75% of students), Annual Fund donations targeting 100% family participation, stock/tribute gifts, and fundraising events such as Grilling & Gridiron and Party with Heart. Distribution is direct-to-family via rolling admissions, with vocational partnerships placing participants at employers including Nothing Bundt Cakes (Buckhead). The organization is governed by a working board under new Executive Director Tracy Burke (2025), succeeding founder Tamara Spafford who served 25 years and remains as Financial and Strategic Advisor.

Name

The Lionheart School

Legal name

Lionheart Life Center

Website

https://thelionheartschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lionheart School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Alpharetta, Georgia serving children ages 5–21 with autism and neurodevelopmental differences through DIR®-based education, therapy, and vocational programs, with an affiliated adult-services arm (Lionheart WORKS) serving adults 18+.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Autism therapy programs
• Vocational training programs
• Hippotherapy services
• Developmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Alpharetta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue source. Tuition for 2026-2027 school year is $33,000 annually. Tuition covers approximately 60% of the cost of each student's education. Requires $3,300 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance.
2. Scholarship Programs: Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB10) averaging $8,100 per student, and Georgia GOAL Scholarship averaging $8,000 per student. 75% of students receive scholarships from one or more sources.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Fund donations, tribute gifts, stock donations, and fundraising events. The school aims for 100% family participation in the annual fund. All parents expected to contribute to annual fund, GOAL program, and auction.
4. Fundraising Events: Events including Grilling & Gridiron (annual tailgating event), Party with Heart (annual gala), and other community events that generate donations and community engagement.
5. Georgia GOAL Tax Credit: Tax credit program allowing Georgia taxpayers to redirect state income tax liability to assist Lionheart students through scholarship donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Lionheart School is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit school in Alpharetta, Georgia that provides specialized education for children ages 5-21 with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences using the DIR/Floortime developmental model. It sells tuition-funded enrollment that bundles academic instruction with occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, hippotherapy, social-emotional learning, and co-curricular enrichment. It also operates Lionheart WORKS, a vocational and employment-readiness program for adults 18+, alongside ancillary programs such as Summer Farm Camp, Lionheart Gardens, The Cottage pre-vocational worksite, and Lionheart Radio.

Product overview

The Lionheart School operates as a comprehensive educational organization offering a portfolio of programs for individuals with autism and neurodevelopmental differences. The core offerings include The Lionheart School (K-12 education for children ages 5-21) and Lionheart WORKS (vocational program for adults 18+). Supporting programs include Lionheart Gardens (organic farm for experiential learning), The Cottage (pre-vocational workshop), Summer Farm Camp, Hippotherapy, Co-Curricular activities, Social Emotional Learning, Educational Technology, and Lionheart Radio. The organization uses a DIR®-based developmental approach across all programs, integrating therapeutic services, academic instruction, and vocational training into a unified continuum of support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Lionheart School A private 501(c)(3) school for children ages 5-21 with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, delivering developmental education grounded in the DIR/Floortime model alongside occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, social-emotional learning, and co-curricular enrichment. Enrolled via direct admissions process with rolling part-time and full-time options.
• Lionheart WORKS A vocational and employment-readiness program for adults 18+ with autism and other neurodiverse abilities, offering teamWORKS group experiences and iWORKS independent employment pathways that build independence, confidence, and community engagement through partner employer placements.
• Lionheart Gardens An organic farm serving as a living classroom that integrates STEAM education, gardening, farming, and vocational training for students and adult program participants.
• The Cottage An internal pre-vocational worksite offering design, production, and retail sales experience for HeartReach students through a small business environment operating Monday-Thursday 9 AM-2 PM at 160 Academy Street, Alpharetta.
• Summer Farm Camp A two-week summer camp offering farming, gardening, woodworking, rustic art, ceramics, swimming, and horseback riding/hippotherapy activities at Lionheart Gardens adjacent to Lioncrest Farms; priced at $500 per week.
• Hippotherapy Equine-assisted therapy delivered in partnership with Lioncrest Farms, facilitated by a licensed occupational therapist certified through the American Hippotherapy Association to stimulate neural connections for language and motor development.
• Lionheart Radio An online radio station broadcasting 24/7 that empowers participants to operate sound boards, conduct interviews, and share music and stories across the airwaves.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90 adults served since 2015 through Lionheart WORKS vocational program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nothing Bundt Cakes (Buckhead franchise)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Buckhead Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, owned by Gloria Mattei, partners with Lionheart WORKS to provide employment and vocational training opportunities for young adults with autism. The bakery was opened specifically to create meaningful work for her son Adrian (diagnosed with autism) and other neurodivergent young adults. Participants receive coaching and on-the-job experience designed to build confidence and workplace skills.
• Lioncrest FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLioncrest Farms is a local equine facility that partners with The Lionheart School for hippotherapy sessions. The facility provides licensed hippotherapy services where movement on horses stimulates neural connections for language and motor development. Also hosts Summer Farm Camp activities including horseback riding.
• Ed Isakson YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ed Isakson YMCA of Alpharetta partnered with Lionheart beginning in 2015 to assist with Lionheart Radio broadcasts. In 2019, the YMCA donated radio equipment to Lionheart. The partnership supports the school's online radio station operations.
• Lions Club (Buckhead)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Lions Club provides job coaching support to help place neurodivergent individuals in employment opportunities, including partnerships with employers like Nothing Bundt Cakes for Lionheart WORKS participants.
• Alpharetta Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding location of Lionheart in 2000, where the school started in a small cottage on church grounds. The partnership has continued as a community partner supporting the organization's mission.
• City of AlpharettaminorOthersMunicipal partner supporting Lionheart through community involvement and presence in the North Fulton region. Listed as a community partner on the school's partner page.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Melmark: Nonprofit in Pennsylvania providing school, residential, and adult services for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities using applied behavior analysis and developmental approaches — comparable in lifespan continuum and autism specialization.
• Heartspring (formerly The Heartspring School): Wichita, KS nonprofit serving children with autism and neurodevelopmental differences through specialized education and therapy, including residential and day programs — closely comparable in autism-focused K-12+ delivery model.
• Monarch Center for Autism (Monarch Boarding School): Residential and day school in Cincinnati, OH serving children and young adults with autism using the DIR/Floortime model — directly comparable in target population, methodology, and lifespan continuum approach.
• The Anderson Center for Autism: New York-based nonprofit providing school, residential, and adult day/vocational services for individuals with autism across the lifespan — directly comparable in scope, mission, and autism-specific specialization.
• ACCEL Schools (formerly Autism Behavioral Consulting & Education): Nonprofit operating specialized schools for students with autism in Ohio and beyond — comparable in operating specialized autism schools using evidence-based curricula, but at larger multi-state scale.
• Giant Steps (Illinois): Illinois-based nonprofit school and adult transition program for individuals with autism — directly comparable in serving children and young adults with autism through specialized education and transition-to-employment programming.

Broad incumbents

• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large nonprofit operating multiple special-education schools and adult services across several states, including autism-specific programs — comparable in mission and lifespan approach but at significantly greater scale and breadth than Lionheart.
• May Institute: Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing school, adult, and clinical services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across the lifespan — comparable service portfolio but operates a multi-state footprint versus Lionheart's single-site model.
• The Help Group (Summit View School): Los Angeles-area nonprofit operating schools, therapy, and vocational programs for children and young adults with autism and learning differences — comparable in lifespan and special-ed focus, with broader regional footprint.

Others

• Autism Society of Georgia: Statewide nonprofit supporting the autism community in Georgia through resources, advocacy, and referrals — comparable regional ecosystem player that drives Lionheart's referral pipeline and scholarship awareness.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC71LTUVdmrmJdRdY_LXZGXQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheLionheartSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/lionheartworks

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Lionheart School