Sa Life Academy, Inc.
SA Life Academy is a San Antonio 501(c)(3) operating a community-based day program serving approximately 170 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, delivered by credentialed special-education teachers with vocational training through Rising Stars Coffee and a planned Cindy's Cottage storefront.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSan Antonio, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sa Life Academy, Inc. does
SA Life Academy, Inc. is a Texas-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 20-5613727) founded in 2017 by Cindy and Bryan Boynton in San Antonio. The organization operates a community-based day program serving approximately 170 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across 49 ZIP codes in Bexar County, with enrollment grown from 22 students at founding. The core offering is a Monday-through-Friday day program (8:30am–3:00pm) housed at 308 Mount Calvary Drive on the campus of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, delivered by six Lead Teachers and eight Associate Teachers (all credentialed in Special Education or related fields) at a maximum 12:1 classroom ratio with a Lead and Associate Teacher per room. Monthly curriculum is designed around five domains — relationship building, expressive creativity, academics, community involvement, and health & wellness — and integrates off-site volunteer work (5–6 hours per student per week) with 30+ community partners including the SA Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Catholic Charities, Morgan's Wonderland, and H-E-B.
The business model combines three revenue streams: (1) recurring program fees paid monthly via Medicaid Waiver Activity Contribution or private tuition, with a $8 processing fee for online card payments, (2) tax-deductible donations and foundation grants from a roster including the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation, Ed Rachal Foundation, John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation, and Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, and (3) a small earned-income line from Rising Stars Coffee, a student-operated mobile coffee truck launched September 2025 operating three mornings per week. A second vocational storefront, Cindy's Cottage, is in active capital campaign with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
Following founder Cindy Boynton's death from pancreatic cancer, leadership transitioned in February 2025 to a co-executive director model with Samantha Pety as Executive Director/Head of School and Ellen Shoemaker as Executive Director/Development & Administration. In December 2024 SALA co-founded the IDD Champions Coalition with five peer Bexar County nonprofits (Brighton Center, The Arc of San Antonio, Respite Care of San Antonio, Morgan's Multi-Assistance Center, ABC of Southwest Texas), producing over 800 survey responses and May 2026 white papers. Sub-brands include Rising Stars Coffee (vocational), Cindy's Cottage (planned vocational storefront), and SALA Ambassadors (student public-speaking program). The organization maintains a continuously growing waitlist and operates a single physical site.
Sa Life Academy, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sa Life Academy, Inc.
- Legal name
- SA Life Academy, Inc.
- Website
- https://salifeacademy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- SA Life Academy is a San Antonio 501(c)(3) operating a community-based day program serving approximately 170 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, delivered by credentialed special-education teachers with vocational training through Rising Stars Coffee and a planned Cindy's Cottage storefront.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sa Life Academy, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Disability Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Vocational Evaluation & Career Assessment (Transition-Age) (EDAKANAC)
Keywords
Where Sa Life Academy, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Antonio
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sa Life Academy, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Program Fees (Medicaid Waiver): Tuition supplemented by Medicaid Waiver programs through Activity Contribution payments
- Program Fees (Private Pay): Private payment options for families not using Medicaid Waiver, with $8 processing fee for online payments
- Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations under SA Life Academy, Inc. EIN# 20-5613727; major annual fundraising through Off Broadway Gala
- Rising Stars Coffee: Social enterprise coffee truck operating Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings generating revenue from coffee and beverage sales
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rising Stars Coffee Menu Pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Program Fees - Medicaid Waiver |
| Subscription | Monthly | Program Fees - Private Payment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Sa Life Academy, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SA Life Academy is a community-based day program that provides continuing learning opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have aged out of the public school system. Operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at its San Antonio campus, the program delivers a monthly curriculum designed by certified Special Education teachers covering relationship building, expressive creativity, academics, community involvement, and health & wellness. The organization supplements its core program with vocational training initiatives including Rising Stars Coffee (a student-operated coffee truck) and the planned Cindy's Cottage storefront.
Product overview
SA Life Academy operates as a unified community-based day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), featuring a core educational curriculum supplemented by vocational training initiatives. The core SA Life Academy Day Program provides structured learning with certified Special Education teachers, while vocational products like Rising Stars Coffee (a student-operated coffee truck launched September 2025) and the planned Cindy's Cottage storefront provide real-world employment experience. The SALA Ambassadors Program offers leadership development through public speaking opportunities. All programs operate under the guiding philosophy of 'Doing Life Together,' with enrollment growing from 22 students in 2017 to 170 students currently.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Rising Stars Coffee: A vocational coffee truck program launched September 2025 providing real-world job experience for SALA students, operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00am-10am at 308 Mount Calvary Drive, San Antonio.
- Cindy's Cottage
- SALA Ambassadors
Products and services
- SA Life Academy Day Program A community-based day program providing exceptional continuing learning opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Features certified Special Education teachers, a low teacher-to-student ratio (maximum 12 students per class with a Lead Teacher and an Associate Teacher), and runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Rising Stars Coffee A student-operated coffee truck providing vocational training and real-world employment experience for adults with IDD. Offers coffee, espresso, lattes, Americanos, lemonade, hot chocolate with various flavor options and alternative milks. Operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 8:00am-10am at 308 Mount Calvary Drive, San Antonio.
- Cindy's Cottage A planned vocational training storefront honoring founder Cindy Boynton's vision. Will provide permanent space for students to develop real-world job skills while engaging with the San Antonio community. Features will include a student-operated storefront, career development space, and community green space.
- SALA Ambassadors Program A leadership and public speaking program that empowers SA Life Academy students to represent the organization throughout the community. Students develop confidence, professionalism, and presentation skills while educating others about inclusion and the abilities of adults with IDD.
Quantifiable outcome
- 315% growth rate since 2017 founding
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sa Life Academy, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sa Life Academy, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sa Life Academy, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, influential and major.
- Brighton CentercorePart of the IDD Champions Coalition formed in December 2024 to address gaps in support for individuals with IDD in Bexar County; collaborated on community-centered participatory study with over 800 survey responses
- The Arc of San AntoniocoreIDD Champions Coalition member; partnered on community research study identifying immediate needs and long-term priorities for families and individuals with IDD
- Respite Care of San AntoniocoreIDD Champions Coalition co-lead; collaborated on IDD Champions Community Study and published white papers in May 2026
- Morgan's Multi-Assistance Center (The MAC)coreIDD Champions Coalition member; partnered on community-centered participatory study for individuals with IDD in Bexar County
- ABC of Southwest TexascoreIDD Champions Coalition founding member; part of coalition addressing gaps in IDD support in Bexar County
- SA Food BankcoreCommunity partner for volunteer opportunities; students engage in food security work as part of community involvement curriculum
- SA Hope CentercoreCommunity partner providing volunteer opportunities for students
- Catholic CharitiescoreCommunity partner for volunteer opportunities
- Meals on WheelscoreCommunity partner for volunteer work allowing students to give back to seniors
- House of Neighborly ServicecoreCommunity partner for volunteer opportunities
- Morgan's WonderlandcoreInclusive amusement park partner for community-based instruction and recreational activities
- Nowhere BookstoreminorCommunity partner providing volunteer opportunities and community integration
- Rise School of SAminorEarly childhood development partner organization
- Operation GratitudeminorCommunity partner for volunteer work creating care packages
- GardopiaminorCommunity partner for gardening volunteer opportunities
- The Mermaid CafecoreLocal cafe where SALA students work, gaining employment experience in an inclusive setting
- My Possibilities (Plano, TX)influentialVisited by SA Life Academy founders to study an exceptional Day Program model that was adapted and brought to San Antonio
- H-E-BmajorCorporate supporter; grocery shopping outings and community partnership
- Frost BankcoreCorporate supporter and community partner
- Topograph & Coral StudioscoreArchitect team for Cindy's Cottage vocational training storefront project (capital campaign)
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sa Life Academy, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Arc of San Antonio: The Arc of San Antonio provides advocacy and direct services for individuals with IDD in Bexar County, including programs overlapping with SALA's day-program and transition services. It is also a fellow IDD Champions Coalition member, serving a similar San Antonio population.
- Melwood: Melwood is one of the largest U.S. employers of people with disabilities, operating adult day, vocational training, and social enterprises. Its combination of day programming and integrated vocational businesses (horticulture, retail) closely parallels SALA's core program + Rising Stars Coffee/Cindy's Cottage strategy.
- Brighton Center: Brighton Center is a San Antonio nonprofit serving children and adults with disabilities through therapy, education, and vocational programs. It is an IDD Champions Coalition partner with overlapping clientele and programming for adults with IDD.
- The Academy at Morgan's Wonderland: The Academy at Morgan's Wonderland is an inclusive education program in San Antonio serving students with IDD. Career Development Director Donna Galvan previously worked there, and the program is closely comparable in mission, model, and San Antonio geography.
- My Possibilities: My Possibilities is a Plano, TX-based adult day habilitation program for individuals with IDD. SA Life Academy founders explicitly visited My Possibilities to study its model before launching SALA, making it the closest operating analogue.
- Respite Care of San Antonio: Respite Care of San Antonio provides day programs, respite, and support services for children and adults with special needs. It co-leads the IDD Champions Coalition with SALA and serves overlapping families in the San Antonio IDD community.
Broad incumbents
- The Arc of the United States: The Arc is the largest national organization advocating for and serving people with IDD, including adult day and transition services through local chapters. It is a broad incumbent addressing the same population SALA targets but at advocacy and policy scale rather than direct day-program operation.
- Easterseals: Easterseals is a national nonprofit network providing disability services including adult day programs, vocational rehabilitation, and supported employment across many states. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities to SALA's but at much larger scale and national footprint.
Others
- Down Syndrome Association of South Texas: Founded by SA Life Academy founder Cindy Boynton in 1994, the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas provides support, education, and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It is a mission-aligned community partner rather than a direct day-program competitor, sharing donor networks and referral pipelines with SALA.
Regional players
- RISE School of San Antonio: RISE School of San Antonio provides early childhood education for children with and without developmental disabilities. While it serves a younger age group than SALA, it operates in the same San Antonio market with overlapping families and is led by an overlapping board community (its board co-founder Jeff Higgins also serves on SALA's board).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sa Life Academy, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceSa Life Academy, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sa Life Academy, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Sa Life Academy, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sa Life Academy, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sa Life Academy, Inc.
What does Sa Life Academy, Inc. do?
SA Life Academy is a community-based day program that provides continuing learning opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have aged out of the public school system. Operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at its San Antonio campus, the program delivers a monthly curriculum designed by certified Special Education teachers covering relationship building, expressive creativity, academics, community involvement, and health & wellness. The organization supplements its core program with vocational training initiatives including Rising Stars Coffee (a student-operated coffee truck) and the planned Cindy's Cottage storefront.
Is Sa Life Academy, Inc. a public or private company?
Sa Life Academy, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sa Life Academy, Inc. founded?
Sa Life Academy, Inc. was founded in 2017.
Where is Sa Life Academy, Inc. based?
Sa Life Academy, Inc. is headquartered in San Antonio, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sa Life Academy, Inc. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Program Fees (Medicaid Waiver) is the primary driver. The others are program Fees (Private Pay), donations and Fundraising and rising Stars Coffee.
Who are Sa Life Academy, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Arc of San Antonio, Melwood, Brighton Center, The Academy at Morgan's Wonderland, My Possibilities and Respite Care of San Antonio. Broad incumbents are The Arc of the United States and Easterseals. Down Syndrome Association of South Texas is listed as an others. RISE School of San Antonio is listed as a regional player.
Does Sa Life Academy, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sa Life Academy, Inc..
What industry is Sa Life Academy, Inc. in?
Sa Life Academy, Inc.'s product category is Adult Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAAAD, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs, with a secondary code of EDAKANAC, Vocational Evaluation & Career Assessment (Transition-Age). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.