Intrinsic Schools
Intrinsic Schools is a Chicago public charter school network operating two campuses that serve approximately 2,000 students in grades 7-12. It delivers tuition-free, college-preparatory education through a proprietary EPIC curriculum, POD-style flexible classrooms, and weekly C Day programming, funded primarily by per-pupil government allocations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Intrinsic Schools does
Intrinsic Schools is a non-profit Chicago public charter school network operating two campuses serving approximately 2,000 students in grades 7-12. The Belmont Campus, founded in 2013 in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood, enrolls roughly 1,000 students and has held a CPS Level 1+ or 1 ranking every year since opening. The Downtown Campus, opened in Fall 2019 at 79 W. Monroe Street in the Chicago Loop, serves grades 9-12 with city-wide enrollment access drawing from all 77 Chicago neighborhoods. The schools deliver an innovative instructional model built on three proprietary pillars: the EPIC values-based curriculum (Empathy, Perseverance, Identity, Curiosity) featured on Transcend Education's Models Exchange; POD-style flexible classrooms designed to maximize inclusion-based supports for diverse learners; and weekly C Day (Choice Day) programming where students select activities, field trips, and partner-led experiences. Supporting technology includes the Summit Learning personalized learning platform, PowerSchool student information system, and ParentSquare communication platform, alongside a student-facing EPIC Store for engagement tracking.
The network's business model is tuition-free public charter school revenue, funded primarily by per-pupil government allocations through Chicago Public Schools with secondary support from fundraising and donations. Distribution occurs via the SchoolMint lottery for Belmont grades 7-12, the GoCPS centralized application system for Downtown 9th grade, and direct JotForm applications for Downtown grades 10-12. The school's Postsecondary Seminar begins in Grade 9 with two college visits per year per grade, networking events with 100+ Chicago professionals annually, and partnerships with City Colleges of Chicago (Harold Washington College) for early college credit starting in Grade 10. A $1.5 million annual scholarship program launched in March 2023 ($375,000 per year renewable up to four years) supports graduates pursuing 2-year or 4-year college, certification, or trade programs. Reported outcomes include 90%+ of the Class of 2024 enrolling in college and AP Honor Roll and AP Access Award GOLD status earned by Belmont Campus in 2024. Leadership is provided by co-founders Melissa Zaikos (CEO) and Ami Gandhi (Chief Learning Officer), supported by a Chief of Schools, Chief Strategy Officer, and three campus principals.
Intrinsic Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Intrinsic Schools
- Legal name
- Intrinsic Schools
- Website
- https://intrinsicschools.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Intrinsic Schools is a Chicago public charter school network operating two campuses that serve approximately 2,000 students in grades 7-12. It delivers tuition-free, college-preparatory education through a proprietary EPIC curriculum, POD-style flexible classrooms, and weekly C Day programming, funded primarily by per-pupil government allocations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Intrinsic Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Charter School Education Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ), Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF)
Keywords
Intrinsic Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Per-Pupil Government Funding: As a public charter school, Intrinsic Schools receives per-pupil funding from government sources based on enrollment. This is the primary revenue stream supporting school operations.
- Fundraising and Donations: Fundraising covers special projects and ramp-up phases as campuses grow to full enrollment. The organization actively seeks donations for Downtown Campus growth and expansion.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Intrinsic Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Intrinsic Schools operates two tuition-free public charter school campuses in Chicago (Belmont Campus in Hermosa serving grades 7-12; Downtown Campus in the Loop serving grades 9-12) for approximately 2,000 students total. It delivers a college-preparatory education through its EPIC values-based curriculum, POD-style flexible classrooms, weekly C Day choice programming, comprehensive postsecondary planning, dual-enrollment college credit via City Colleges of Chicago, and a $1.5 million annual scholarship program for graduates.
Product overview
Intrinsic Schools operates two public charter schools in Chicago (Belmont Campus established 2013, Downtown Campus established 2019) serving approximately 2,000 students in grades 7-12. The schools use an innovative EPIC educational model featuring POD-style flexible classrooms and weekly C Day choice programming. Core offerings include Postsecondary Seminar for college/career preparation, Special Education services with full continuum of supports, and Athletics programs. Technology infrastructure includes PowerSchool SIS, ParentSquare communication, and Summit Learning platform. The schools partner with Harold Washington College for dual enrollment and offer $1.5M in annual scholarships to graduates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Belmont Campus (Grades 7-12) Intrinsic Schools' original campus located at 4540 W. Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood, serving grades 7-12 with approximately 1,000 students. Offers the full Intrinsic educational model including EPIC curriculum, POD classrooms, C Day, postsecondary planning, athletics, and special education services. Has earned Level 1+ or 1 ranking from CPS every year since opening.
- Downtown Campus (Grades 9-12) Intrinsic Schools' second campus at 79 W. Monroe Street in Chicago's Loop, serving grades 9-12 with approximately 750-1,000 students. Accessible to students from all 77 Chicago neighborhoods. Features POD-style classrooms mirroring Belmont Campus design, with enhanced access to Chicago's business and arts community through field trips, speakers, and internship opportunities. Named the Intrinsic Ravens.
- EPIC Curriculum Intrinsic's values-based educational framework encompassing Empathy, Perseverance, Identity, and Curiosity, integrated throughout the school's instructional program and culture. Featured on Transcend Education's Models Exchange as an innovative learning model.
- POD Classrooms Flexible, inclusive learning spaces designed to maximize support for diverse learners. POD-style classrooms group students together and allow for individualized instruction and inclusion-based supports through varied space arrangements.
- C Day (Choice Day) Weekly student choice day offering diverse opportunities including field trips, student retreats, and programs with partner organizations. Allows students to select activities based on their interests.
- Postsecondary Seminar Comprehensive college and career planning program starting in Grade 9, including two college visits per year per grade, networking events, individualized postsecondary counseling, and alumni support.
- $1.5 Million Annual Scholarships Program Annual scholarship program awarding $1.5 million per graduating class to Intrinsic graduates for college, certification, or trade programs. $375,000 per student, renewable for up to four years. Designed to remove financial barriers between students and their postsecondary pathways.
- Special Education Services Comprehensive special education program including IEPs, 504 plans, related services (psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language, social work, nursing, audiology), and assistive technology. Downtown Campus operates as independent LEA.
- Athletics Program Wide variety of sports including 16+ teams (basketball, soccer, wrestling, flag football, e-sports) supporting physical, social, and mental development. Belmont Mustangs and Downtown Ravens compete under respective mascots.
- College Credit Partnership (City Colleges of Chicago) Partnership with City Colleges of Chicago (Harold Washington College) enabling Downtown Campus students to earn college credit starting in Grade 10. Designed to improve college retention rates and transfer to four-year institutions.
- Parent Resources & Communication Services ParentSquare communication platform, PowerSchool parent portal for grades and schedules, regular Intrinsic Insights newsletters, and bilingual (English/Spanish/Chinese) support materials.
- EPIC Store Student-facing digital platform for engagement and rewards tracking, accessible via student login portal.
- Summit Learning Platform Personalized learning platform used by teachers to support instruction, curriculum implementation, and student progress monitoring across both campuses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90%+ of Class of 2024 enrolled in college
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Intrinsic Schools
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Intrinsic Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
Intrinsic Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Harold Washington College / City Colleges of ChicagocoreIntrinsic has partnered with City Colleges of Chicago to introduce all Downtown Campus students to college, including opportunities to earn college credit starting as early as Grade 10. This innovative partnership aims to improve college retention and transfers into four-year institutions.
- SOS OutreachminorFounded at Vail Mountain in 1993, SOS Outreach uses outdoor-based mentorship to teach snowboarding and life skills. Serving over 3,000 young people each year, the program includes Intrinsic in year-round programs combining outdoor exploration, positive adult mentorship, skill development, and community service.
- Chicago ScholarscoreChicago Scholars program supports Intrinsic seniors with college access, providing opportunities such as the Onsite College and Leadership Forum where students received 750+ admission offers and over $30 million in merit scholarships.
- Transcend EducationminorIntrinsic's EPIC and POD Model is featured on Transcend Education's Models Exchange, a library offering innovation-minded leaders resources to implement inspiring learning models.
- Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)minorDowntown Campus athletics utilizes various outside facilities including IIT for athletic practices and games, with students bused to and from campus.
- Chicago Area Professionals (Networking Nights)minorNetworking Nights welcome 100+ local professionals from various educational and career backgrounds to spend evenings with Intrinsic students, allowing juniors and seniors to practice networking while still in high school.
- Various Chicago Businesses and Arts OrganizationsminorDowntown Campus location provides easy access to Chicago's business and arts community, offering robust mix of field trips, speakers, and internship opportunities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Intrinsic Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Achievement First: Multi-state charter school network operating college-prep urban schools. Several Intrinsic leaders have Achievement First backgrounds, and the operating model (college prep, structured culture, alumni support) is closely aligned.
- Noble Network of Charter Schools: One of the largest Chicago charter networks operating multiple high schools. Intrinsic staff have been recruited from Noble, and both compete for the same high school–seeking Chicago families.
- Chicago International Charter School (CICS): Large Chicago charter network operating multiple campuses. Comparable multi-site charter operating model with shared leadership pipelines.
- KIPP Chicago: Multi-site Chicago charter school network serving similar grades with a college-prep mission. Multiple Intrinsic staff come from KIPP, and both compete for college-focused families in Chicago.
- Chicago Tech Academy: Chicago high school charter referenced in Intrinsic leadership backgrounds. Comparable public charter high school competing for similar Chicago families.
- University of Chicago Charter School (North Kenwood/Oakland): Chicago charter campuses with college-prep mission. Comparable grade-level offerings and an overlapping talent pipeline with Intrinsic's leadership.
- Amandla Charter School: Chicago charter school serving high school students. Multiple Intrinsic staff recruited from Amandla, indicating close comparability in grade levels and instructional approach.
Regional players
- Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy: Chicago high school serving comparable student populations. Several Intrinsic staff previously taught there, indicating overlapping instructional philosophy and student demographic focus.
- Gary Comer College Prep: Chicago charter campus on the south side serving college-focused students. Comparable charter college-prep model within Chicago's competitive K-12 market.
- Academia Cesar Chavez Charter School: Chicago charter school with a similar college-prep mission. Comparable as a Chicago-based public charter serving diverse learners.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Intrinsic Schools social profiles
Digital presenceIntrinsic Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Intrinsic Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Intrinsic Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Intrinsic Schools 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 Intrinsic Schools
What does Intrinsic Schools do?
Intrinsic Schools operates two tuition-free public charter school campuses in Chicago (Belmont Campus in Hermosa serving grades 7-12; Downtown Campus in the Loop serving grades 9-12) for approximately 2,000 students total. It delivers a college-preparatory education through its EPIC values-based curriculum, POD-style flexible classrooms, weekly C Day choice programming, comprehensive postsecondary planning, dual-enrollment college credit via City Colleges of Chicago, and a $1.5 million annual scholarship program for graduates.
Is Intrinsic Schools a public or private company?
Intrinsic Schools is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Intrinsic Schools founded?
Intrinsic Schools was founded in 2013.
How does Intrinsic Schools make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Per-Pupil Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are fundraising and Donations.
Who are Intrinsic Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Achievement First, Noble Network of Charter Schools, Chicago International Charter School (CICS), KIPP Chicago, Chicago Tech Academy, University of Chicago Charter School (North Kenwood/Oakland) and Amandla Charter School. Regional players are Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, Gary Comer College Prep and Academia Cesar Chavez Charter School.
Does Intrinsic Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Intrinsic Schools.
What industry is Intrinsic Schools in?
Intrinsic Schools's product category is Charter School Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAC, Charter School Networks (Multi-Site), with a secondary code of EDAJACAJ, Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.