Five Keys Schools and Programs
Five Keys Schools and Programs is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free adult education, reentry support, transitional housing, and workforce services to 15,000-25,000 incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and unhoused individuals annually across 14 counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Five Keys Schools and Programs does
Five Keys Schools and Programs is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department as the first accredited charter high school in the nation to provide diploma programs for adults in county jails. The organization has expanded into a multi-service human services platform delivering free adult education (GED, HiSET, High School Diploma, College Pathways), reentry support, workforce development, transitional housing, navigation centers, and agricultural training, serving 15,000-25,000 individuals annually across 14 California counties through 100+ community learning centers, 17 county jail sites, and dedicated housing facilities. Five Keys' business model is government- and grant-funded: services are provided at no cost to students and clients, with revenue derived from county jail contracts, the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, USDA grants, Medi-Cal reimbursement through California CalAIM, and philanthropic donations. Its technology footprint is modest and operationally focused — a Squarespace-based website and blog, online enrollment, and a recently announced AI street medicine partnership with Akido Labs using the ScopeAI platform, funded entirely by Medi-Cal and expanding from Southern California to the Bay Area.
Five Keys Schools and Programs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Five Keys Schools and Programs
- Legal name
- Five Keys Schools and Programs
- Website
- https://fivekeyscharter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Five Keys Schools and Programs is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free adult education, reentry support, transitional housing, and workforce services to 15,000-25,000 incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and unhoused individuals annually across 14 counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Five Keys Schools and Programs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Education and Reentry Services
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (6117), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corrections & Reentry Adult Literacy (Justice-Involved Learners) (EDAAAAAL), Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI), Correctional Education Programs (Community College-Delivered) (EDAHADAN)
Keywords
Where Five Keys Schools and Programs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Five Keys Schools and Programs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government and Public Funding: Five Keys operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization funded primarily through government contracts, grants, and public funding. Programs are funded by Medi-Cal, county jail partnerships, and government homeless/housing initiatives. Services are provided free to students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free educational services for all students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Five Keys Schools and Programs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Five Keys Schools and Programs is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free adult education (GED, HiSET, High School Diploma, and College Pathways) and a comprehensive suite of reentry services. Operating across 14 California counties through 70+ teaching sites, 17 county jail programs, and 100+ community learning centers, Five Keys serves 15,000-25,000 individuals annually with programs spanning education, transitional housing, navigation centers, workforce development, and transitional employment for currently and formerly incarcerated adults, people experiencing homelessness, and other vulnerable populations.
Product overview
Five Keys Schools and Programs is a social justice nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational and support programs. Founded in 2003 as the first accredited charter high school in the nation to provide diploma programs for adults in county jails, it has expanded into a multi-faceted organization. The core offerings include Adult Education (GED, HiSET, High School Diploma) and College Pathways programs for educational advancement; Reentry Programs and Workforce Development & Transitional Employment for career support; and Housing programs including Home Free (trauma-informed reentry for domestic violence survivors), Navigation Centers (shelter services), and Mission Cabins (tiny homes for the unhoused). Additional programs include the EAT! Agricultural Training program. The organization operates across 14 California counties, serving 25,000+ individuals annually through 900+ employees at 70+ teaching sites including 17 county jails.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adult Education Program
- College Pathways
- Reentry Program
- Workforce Development and Transitional Employment
- Home Free
- Navigation Centers
- Mission Cabins
- EAT! Program (Ecological Agriculture Training)
- Insight Prison Project
- Furniture Annex
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces recidivism by approximately 30 percentage points compared to statewide averages of 65 percent
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Five Keys Schools and Programs
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Five Keys Schools and Programs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Five Keys Schools and Programs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Akido LabscoreAkido Labs is partnering with Five Keys on an AI-powered street medicine program using the ScopeAI platform to help street medicine teams reach unhoused patients, synthesize medical records, and generate clinical reports. Five Keys serves as a community partner in this initiative, which is expanding from Southern California to the Bay Area, funded by Medi-Cal under California's CalAIM Medicaid program.
- Future Communities InstituteminorCommunity partner in the AI-powered street medicine program alongside Akido Labs and Five Keys, helping expand services from Southern California to the Bay Area.
- Reimagine FreedomminorCommunity partner in the AI-powered street medicine program alongside Akido Labs and Five Keys, supporting expansion to the Bay Area.
- San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH)coreFive Keys was selected through a competitive process to operate the Mission Cabins shelter site and provide onsite social services for 60-65 unhoused individuals. HSH is the primary government partner commissioning Five Keys to deliver shelter and support services.
- San Francisco Department of Public HealthminorThrough a partnership with the Department of Public Health, health services are provided on site several days per week at the Mission Cabins shelter operated by Five Keys.
- Community Action Partners Alliance (CAP)coreFive Keys' Transitional Employment program is part of CAP, a partnership across Southern California providing education, housing, drug treatment, expungement, job development, and resources for returning citizens.
- Back2Work ProgramminorFive Keys San Diego team partners with the Back2Work program to connect veterans and justice-involved community members with career resources, emotional support, and job placement services.
- City of NorcominorFive Keys' EAT! (Ecological Agriculture Training) Center is partnered with the City of Norco, CA to run an innovative urban agriculture program that builds community, empowers small businesses, and strengthens the local rural economy.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Five Keys Schools and Programs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Fortune Society: New York-based nonprofit providing reentry services including education, housing, and workforce development for formerly incarcerated individuals. Directly comparable to Five Keys' integrated reentry model, though operating in the Northeast.
- Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National nonprofit providing immediate employment, retention, and career advancement support for people returning home from incarceration. Directly comparable to Five Keys' transitional employment and reentry workforce programs.
- Homeboy Industries: Los Angeles-based nonprofit offering reentry services including education, workforce training (including social enterprises), and wraparound support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Closest geographic and operational peer to Five Keys.
- Osborne Association: New York-based nonprofit operating prison education, reentry housing, and family services for justice-involved individuals. Directly comparable across Five Keys' jail education, reentry, and housing programs.
- Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison: Nonprofit providing college education, life skills, and reentry support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in New York. Directly comparable to Five Keys' College Pathways and in-custody education programs.
- Rubicon Programs: Bay Area nonprofit providing workforce development, reentry support, and social enterprise employment for formerly incarcerated and low-income individuals. Directly comparable to Five Keys' workforce and transitional employment programs in California.
Broad incumbents
- KIPP Foundation: One of the largest U.S. charter school networks serving K-12 students, primarily from low-income communities. Comparable as a charter operator with social mission, though KIPP focuses on traditional K-12 rather than adult/jail populations.
- Aspire Public Schools: California-based charter management organization operating K-12 public charter schools serving low-income communities. Comparable as a California charter operator, though focused on traditional K-12 grade spans.
Regional players
- Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing housing, education, and workforce services for homeless and at-risk youth. Comparable as a Bay Area nonprofit running housing and education programs, though focused on youth rather than adults.
Emerging players
- Exodus Recovery: California-based behavioral health and reentry services provider operating jail- and community-based programs. Comparable in California jail-based service delivery and reentry mental health programs, though more clinically focused than Five Keys.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Five Keys Schools and Programs social profiles
Digital presenceFive Keys Schools and Programs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Five Keys Schools and Programs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Five Keys Schools and Programs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Five Keys Schools and Programs subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Five Keys Schools and Programs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Five Keys Schools and Programs 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 Five Keys Schools and Programs
What does Five Keys Schools and Programs do?
Five Keys Schools and Programs is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free adult education (GED, HiSET, High School Diploma, and College Pathways) and a comprehensive suite of reentry services. Operating across 14 California counties through 70+ teaching sites, 17 county jail programs, and 100+ community learning centers, Five Keys serves 15,000-25,000 individuals annually with programs spanning education, transitional housing, navigation centers, workforce development, and transitional employment for currently and formerly incarcerated adults, people experiencing homelessness, and other vulnerable populations.
Is Five Keys Schools and Programs a public or private company?
Five Keys Schools and Programs is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Five Keys Schools and Programs founded?
Five Keys Schools and Programs was founded in 2003. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Five Keys Schools and Programs based?
Five Keys Schools and Programs is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Five Keys Schools and Programs make money?
One revenue line is on record: government and Public Funding.
Who are Five Keys Schools and Programs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Fortune Society, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), Homeboy Industries, Osborne Association, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison and Rubicon Programs. Broad incumbents are KIPP Foundation and Aspire Public Schools. Larkin Street Youth Services is listed as a regional player. Exodus Recovery is listed as an emerging player.
Does Five Keys Schools and Programs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Five Keys Schools and Programs.
What industry is Five Keys Schools and Programs in?
Five Keys Schools and Programs's product category is Adult Education and Reentry Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAE, Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile), with a secondary code of EDAAAAAL, Corrections & Reentry Adult Literacy (Justice-Involved Learners). Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.