What DaVinci School does

Da Vinci Schools is a public K-12 charter school network founded in 2009 and operated by the Wiseburn Unified School District in El Segundo, California. The network serves students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade through a portfolio of three on-campus high schools (Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Design, Da Vinci Science) and four hybrid instructional programs (Da Vinci Connect K-8, Da Vinci Connect High School, Da Vinci RISE High, and The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect), plus a college/career readiness program called LifeLaunch. Core pedagogy is project-based learning with industry integration, delivered through 17 Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways — each governed by an industry advisory board — spanning computer science, engineering, design, media, performing arts, aviation, and biomedical fields.

The technology and content layer centers on the Real World Learning framework (Project Pitch Panels, Project Consults, Advisory Boards, Work Experience Programs, Leaving To Learns field trips), the SchoolMint enrollment platform, and a partnership with ASU Prep for dual enrollment that yields approximately 40 college credits across a four-year journey at The Levitt Lab. The athletics program consolidates 599 student-athletes across 29 teams in 16 sports under the Wiseburn Da Vinci Wolves brand, and the network has hosted more than 3,000 educators from six continents since inception. Da Vinci Schools operates as a government entity (not a private company), with no external equity holders, no venture funding, and no M&A activity.

The business model is per-pupil state funding under California's charter school funding framework, supplemented by grants and charitable donations channeled through the Da Vinci Schools Fund and Network for Good. Pricing is effectively zero — there is no tuition, and all students receive free meals through the California Universal Meal Program. Customer acquisition is direct-to-family via the SchoolMint open-enrollment platform, supported by a segmented social media presence (12+ Instagram handles by program), Constant Contact email, and community events. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

DaVinci School

Legal name

Da Vinci Schools

Website

https://davincischools.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Da Vinci Schools is a public K-12 charter network in El Segundo, California, operated by Wiseburn Unified School District. It serves students across eight on-campus and hybrid schools/programs, offering 17 CTE pathways, project-based learning, and dual-enrollment college credit through an ASU Prep partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual/Online Charter Schools (EDAJACAD)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-12 education
• Career technical education
• Project-based learning
• Hybrid school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

El Segundo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school, Da Vinci Schools receives per-pupil funding from the state of California based on enrollment. This is the primary source of operational funding.
2. Grants and Donations: Da Vinci Schools receives grants and charitable donations through the Da Vinci Schools Fund and Network for Good platform for fundraising.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DaVinci School is a public charter school network in El Segundo, California, operated under the Wiseburn Unified School District. It provides K-12 education through multiple themed schools (Science, Design, Communications, Arts, Innovation Academy) along with hybrid (Connect) and virtual learning options, with a focus on project-based learning, CTE pathways, and Real World Learning programs.

Product overview

Da Vinci Schools is a flexible educational ecosystem with multiple on-campus and hybrid instructional models serving students from TK through high school. The network operates three on-campus high schools (Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Design, Da Vinci Science), four hybrid programs (Da Vinci Connect K-8, Da Vinci Connect High School, Da Vinci RISE High, The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect), and one college/career program (LifeLaunch). The ecosystem offers 17 Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways across industry sectors including computer science, engineering, arts, media, and performing arts. Signature programs include Real World Learning (industry partnerships, internships, project-based learning) and WDV Athletics (29 teams across 16 sports). Summer enrichment camps and student clubs complement the academic offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Da Vinci Communications: On-campus high school focused on communications, computer science, marketing, media production, and multimedia journalism pathways.
• Da Vinci Design
• Da Vinci Science
• Da Vinci Connect K-8
• Da Vinci Connect High School
• Da Vinci RISE High
• The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect
• WDV Performing Arts
• The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect

Products and services

• Da Vinci Science A themed K-12 charter school within the DaVinci School network focused on science, serving students seeking a STEM-oriented project-based education.
• Da Vinci Design A themed K-12 charter school within the DaVinci School network focused on design, serving students interested in design thinking and project-based learning.
• Da Vinci Communications A themed K-12 charter school within the DaVinci School network focused on communications, media, and related disciplines.
• Da Vinci Arts A themed K-12 charter school within the DaVinci School network with an arts focus, serving students pursuing creative disciplines.
• Da Vinci Innovation Academy A themed K-12 charter school within the DaVinci School network focused on innovation and project-based learning.
• Da Vinci Connect A hybrid learning program within the DaVinci School network that combines on-campus and online instruction, serving K-12 students seeking flexible learning arrangements.
• Da Vinci Virtual A fully online K-12 learning program within the DaVinci School network, serving students who need a virtual school option.
• Real World Learning Program The signature program of DaVinci School providing real-world career exposure and project-based learning experiences, integrated with CTE pathways for K-12 students.
• Da Vinci Extension An extension program offered through the DaVinci School network, providing additional learning opportunities for students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students successfully matriculate and thrive in college, career and life

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Industry Partners (CTE Advisory Boards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach of the 17 CTE pathways has a CTE Advisory Board consisting of Da Vinci industry partners who help define the knowledge and employable skill sets students need for the modern workplace. Partners support teaching through guest speakers, project planning, workplace tours, student workshops, internships, mentoring, and direct funding.
• ASU PrepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Arizona State University Prep for The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect. Provides concurrent enrollment program with approximately 40 college credits built into a 4-year course journey that meets A-G requirements for Cal State and UC eligibility.
• Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit dedicated to unlocking the life-changing power of sports for all kids. WDV has partnered with PCA to offer coach, student-athlete, and parent workshops throughout the school year.
• Higher Education PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry, higher education and nonprofit partners support every facet of teaching and learning at Da Vinci Schools.
• Belkin InternationalminorOthersBelkin HQ hosted the Da Vinci Design Senior Showcase event. Chet Pipkin, Founder & CEO of Belkin, served as Da Vinci Schools Board Chair (2008-2019).
• Chartwells K12minorOthersFood service provider for Da Vinci Schools meal program. Kevin Cooper serves as Director of Dining Services.
• California Universal Meal ProgramcoreOthersState program providing free breakfast and lunch to all students every school day.
• Steve LevittminorOthersEconomist and author of 'Freakonomics', founder of The Levitt Lab at Da Vinci Connect.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Green Dot Public Schools: California-based public charter school network operating multiple high schools and middle schools, with a comparable college-preparatory mission and district-embedded model. Closely comparable to Da Vinci in scale, location (Greater Los Angeles), and college/career-readiness emphasis.
• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: One of the largest charter networks in Los Angeles, operating 20+ schools with a college-ready mission and a portfolio model similar to Da Vinci's multi-school structure. Strong comparable in LA-area charter operations and demographic positioning.
• Aspire Public Schools: California charter network operating TK-12 schools with a college-prep mission, project-based elements, and strong community ties. Comparable to Da Vinci in California charter operations, multi-school portfolio, and college/career focus.
• KIPP SoCal Public Schools: Southern California affiliate of the national KIPP charter network, operating multiple TK-12 schools with a college-preparatory mission and structured academic culture. Comparable to Da Vinci in mission, multi-school scale, and California charter operating model.
• Summit Public Schools: California-based public charter network known for project-based, personalized learning and mentoring, with multiple high schools. Highly comparable to Da Vinci in pedagogy, California footprint, and college-readiness outcomes focus.
• Magnolia Public Schools: California STEM-focused charter management organization operating multiple TK-12 schools with college-prep and STEM/CTE emphases. Comparable to Da Vinci in California charter operations, multi-school structure, and STEM/CTE curricular focus.
• PUC Schools: Los Angeles-area charter network operating multiple TK-12 schools with a college-preparatory mission and community-rooted identity. Comparable to Da Vinci in LA geographic focus, multi-school portfolio, and college-readiness emphasis.
• Ednovate: Los Angeles-based charter network operating multiple high schools with a college-prep and project-based learning model. Comparable to Da Vinci in LA-area footprint, multi-school structure, and project-based pedagogy.

Broad incumbents

• Stride, Inc. Large publicly traded provider of online K-12 education, including managed online charter schools. Comparable to Da Vinci's hybrid programs (Connect, RISE, Levitt Lab) in online/blended delivery and public-charter funding model, though operating at much larger national scale.

Emerging players

• ASU Prep: University-affiliated K-12 school network operated by Arizona State University, offering concurrent college enrollment and personalized learning. Comparable to Da Vinci as The Levitt Lab's actual partner, with a similar 'reimagined high school' model and dual-enrollment model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dvschools
• Facebookfacebook.com/dvschools
• Instagraminstagram.com/davincischools_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/da-vinci-schools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 DaVinci School