What Richardson School does

The Richardson School (TRS) is a private therapeutic day school serving children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with developmental, neurological, behavioral, and emotional disabilities. Founded in 2013 in Beloit, Wisconsin, and named in honor of Aaliyah Richardson, the school is part of MyPath, an employee-owned (ESOP) parent organization operating nine service divisions for over 30 years. TRS operates five physical campuses across Wisconsin (Appleton, Beloit, Brookfield, Madison, West Allis) with two additional campuses (Sheboygan and Cudahy) scheduled to open in 2026, plus Nexus Virtual Education as an online channel.

Core service delivery centers on IEP-driven therapeutic day school placements funded by school districts in Wisconsin and Illinois. The school's clinical model combines a three-tiered Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework with Collaborative Problem Solving (Dr. Stuart Ablon model) and trauma-informed care practices including UKERU and MANDT non-restrictive interventions. Classrooms maintain 8-10 student ratios with a minimum of one licensed teacher and one Special Education Program Aide, supported by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Special Education Instructional Coaches. Instruction follows Common Core and Alternative State Standards using classroom computers, iPads, student Chromebooks, and interactive boards.

TRS generates revenue primarily through recurring district-funded placements tied to IEP team decisions (Wisconsin DPI recognition and Illinois State Board of Education approval enable this channel). Ancillary revenue streams include the Bobcat Camp therapeutic recreational program ($225/day, offered year-round during school breaks), Respite before/after school care, Extended School Year (ESY) summer services, and consumer-facing family enrollment. Marketing relies on district referrals, IEP team relationships, professional conferences, community events, and word-of-mouth rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Richardson School

Legal name

The Richardson School

Website

https://richardsonschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Richardson School is an employee-owned therapeutic day school operating five Wisconsin campuses, serving students with developmental, neurological, behavioral, and emotional disabilities through IEP-driven placements funded by school districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Emotional & Behavioral Disorders (EBD) / Therapeutic Day Schools (EDAKAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Therapeutic/Behavioral & Residential Treatment K–12 Schools (EDAJABAI), Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI), School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services (EDAJAIAB), Behavioral Support & Intervention Services (PBIS/Behavior Coaching) (EDAJALAH), Therapeutic & Behavioral Health School Programs (Day Treatment) (EDAJAEAE)

Keywords

• Therapeutic day school
• Special education services
• Behavioral health education
• Youth transition services
• Respite care services

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Services to School Districts: The Richardson School provides therapeutic day school services for students with IEPs. Services are funded through arrangements with local school districts who refer students requiring alternative educational settings. Districts pay for placements determined by IEP team decisions.
2. Bobcat Camp Program Fees: Therapeutic community-based recreational camp for children ages 5-17 with autism and developmental disabilities. Offered year-round during school breaks and summer months. Daily rate of $225.
3. Respite Services: Before and after school care provided by trained professionals for families needing support outside regular school hours.
4. Extended School Year (ESY): Summer educational services offered to students as determined by their IEP. Can be used as standalone enrollment or as transition period for new or returning students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Richardson School operates a therapeutic day school serving students with developmental, neurological, behavioral, and emotional needs across multiple Wisconsin campuses. The school combines academic instruction with therapeutic supports including the PBIS framework, trauma-informed care, and Collaborative Problem Solving within small classrooms of 8-10 students.

Product overview

The Richardson School is a therapeutic day school operated by MyPath that provides specialized educational services for children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental/neurological disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and other challenging conditions. The school operates multiple physical campuses (Appleton, Beloit, Brookfield, Madison, West Allis, with Sheboygan and Cudahy opening in 2026) and offers Nexus Virtual Education as an online option. Core services include therapeutic day school programs with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Bobcat Camp (therapeutic recreational day camp), Extended School Year (ESY), and Respite Care. The school focuses on helping students develop skills to return to their home school environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bobcat Camp: Therapeutic, community-based and structured recreational camp for children ages 5-17 with autism and other developmental disabilities. Offered year-round during school breaks and summer months.
• Nexus Virtual Education

Products and services

• Therapeutic Day School Program Year-round therapeutic day school serving K-12 students with developmental, neurological, behavioral, and emotional needs across Wisconsin campuses. Combines academic instruction with PBIS, trauma-informed care, and Collaborative Problem Solving in small 8-10 student classrooms.
• Bobcat Camp Therapeutic recreational camp providing structured, supportive programming for students served by Richardson School outside the traditional school calendar.
• Extended School Year (ESY) Summer programming that extends Richardson School's therapeutic and academic supports beyond the traditional school year for eligible students.
• Respite Care Short-term, temporary care services providing families and referring agencies with planned breaks while ensuring continuity of therapeutic support for students.
• Transition Support Services Support services assisting students with significant life transitions, such as re-entry to a less restrictive school, adulthood, or other life-stage changes, often in coordination with referring agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students return to their home school environment after developing necessary skills

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

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• NAPSEC (National Association of Private Special Education Centers)coreOthersThe Richardson School is approved and recognized by NAPSEC, a national organization representing private special education centers. This affiliation demonstrates commitment to quality standards in special education service delivery.
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)coreOthersTRS is recognized as a private school by the Wisconsin DPI. This recognition is essential for operating as a therapeutic day school and for district partnerships.
• Illinois State Board of EducationregionalOthersTRS is approved as a private school by the Illinois State Board of Education, enabling service delivery to Illinois students at the Beloit campus.
• Council for Exceptional ChildrenminorOthersTRS is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, an international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.
• Autism Society of Southeastern WisconsinminorOthersTRS is a member of the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin and participates in local awareness events such as the Autism Gala and WalkNow for Autism Speaks.
• Wisconsin Association of School Personnel AdministratorsminorOthersTRS holds membership in this professional organization connecting with school district administrators and personnel.
• Autism Society of WisconsinminorOthersTRS participates in Autism Society of Wisconsin conferences as part of community outreach and professional development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Elwyn: Elwyn operates special education schools, behavioral health, and residential programs across multiple states for children and adults with disabilities and behavioral health needs. Comparable on clinical population and district contracts.
• Easterseals: Easterseals is a national nonprofit providing special education, therapeutic, and family support services for children and adults with disabilities. Comparable in serving IEP populations, though on a much broader geographic and service scale.
• BrightSpring Health Services: BrightSpring provides home and community-based health, behavioral, and specialty education services, including K-12 special education. Comparable on IEP-driven populations and district contracting, with a much broader service portfolio.
• Ombudsman Educational Services: Ombudsman operates alternative education and credit recovery programs for at-risk high school students, frequently through district partnerships. Comparable as a broader alternative K-12 operator using district contracts, though less specialized in clinical/behavioral health.
• Lighthouse Academies: Lighthouse Academies operates alternative and therapeutic schools serving at-risk and special education students through district partnerships. Comparable as an alternative K-12 operator with similar student populations and district funding model.

Direct peers

• Catapult Learning: Catapult Learning provides special education, behavioral health, and alternative education services to school districts, including therapeutic intervention programs. Comparable on the district-contracted K-12 special education delivery model.
• Specialized Education Services Inc (SESI): SESI runs therapeutic day schools and specialized education programs for students with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and other disabilities, primarily serving public school districts. Closely aligned with TRS on clinical model and district-funded revenue model.
• ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy & Education: ChanceLight operates therapeutic day schools, behavioral health programs, and special education services for K-12 students with behavioral and emotional needs. Most directly comparable peer to TRS — similar student population, IEP-driven placements, and school-district contracts.
• River Education Support Center: River Education is a Midwest-based provider of therapeutic day school services for students with behavioral and emotional challenges, serving Wisconsin-area districts. Direct competitor on geography and clinical specialty.

Emerging players

• K-12 Therapy Services: K-12 Therapy Services provides school-based speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy services to districts. Adjacent/emerging overlap with TRS on clinical service delivery to IEP populations, though operating on a contract-therapy model rather than full day school.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheRichardsonSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-richardson-school

Compliance10 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 Richardson School