[2] Supported by an initial grant from Battelle Memorial Institute, Battelle for Kids was established in 2001 to improve student achievement in Ohio under the leadership of former executive director Jim Mahoney.

In 2005, Battelle for Kids became an independent, national not-for-profit organization focused on developing services to support teachers, leaders, and school systems.

[3] In December 2016, Dr. Karen Garza became the organization's president and CEO.

[5][6] In October 2017, BFK merged with EdLeader21, a professional learning community of education leaders from nearly 200 school systems nationwide focused on helping students master critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

[7] On December 1, 2021, Battelle for Kids was affected by a ransomware attack which accessed data stored about Chicago Public Schools students.