What Turning Point School does

Turning Point School is an independent private school located at 8780 National Blvd. in Culver City, California, serving children ages 2¾ through Grade 8 across three divisions: Early Childhood (Preschool/Pre-K), Elementary (Kindergarten through Grade 4), and Middle School (Grades 5–8). Founded in 1970 as Montessori of West Los Angeles and rebranded to Turning Point School in the 1980s, the school operates a continuous Preschool-8 educational model anchored by its proprietary "Positive Equation" framework spanning Intellectual, Social, Physical, Ethical, and Emotional development. Academic delivery combines Montessori-based early childhood methodology with Singapore Math, Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly music curricula, and Innovation Labs (SmartLab and MakerLab) featuring STEAM tools including 3D printers, laser cutters, pneumatics boards, and Arduino. The school holds CAIS and WASC accreditation (since 1990) and CIS International Certification (since 2015), and is led by Head of School Dr. Laura Konigsberg (since July 2016) under a Board of Trustees governance structure.

The business model is tuition-driven with subscription-style annual billing: 2026-27 published rates are $38,325 for Early Childhood, $45,308 for Elementary, and $50,795 for Middle School, each including most materials, study tours, technology (Grades 4-8), athletics, and Parent Association membership; a $2,000 one-time placement fee applies to all new students. Revenue is supplemented by after-school care ($25/day drop-in for K-8, included for Preschool/Pre-K), Focus Lessons in language and music, Summer Programs ($240–$500), and the Annual Fund charitable giving program (supported via GiveCampus and Double the Donation matching-gift tools). Tuition assistance awards 20–80% for qualifying families with annual incomes below $250,000, applied through the Clarity platform. Go-to-market is a traditional sales-led private school admissions process (Veracross-powered) with priority deadlines, rolling admissions, sibling priority, Info Sessions, Open House events, Family Conversation interviews, and a PeerPal parent-connect referral channel; marketing leverages the Head's Corner blog, speaker series, social media, and the multi-school Critical Conversations equity program.

The institution is supported by 101–250 employees, has no parent company or external equity ownership, and reports no subsidiaries, M&A activity, or funding rounds. Operational technology is limited to third-party SaaS platforms (Veracross, ParentSquare, Clarity, GiveCampus, Double the Donation) with no proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, or data products disclosed. Key auxiliary programs include after-school athletics (no-cut policy beginning Grade 5 in the Pacific Basin League), summer camps with Counselor-in-Training tracks for Grades 7-9, and a Global Citizenship Program. Capital expansion milestones include the 2001 permanent-campus move, 2005 west-side lease doubling campus footprint, and the 2009-2010 Building 2 and Outdoor Classroom construction under the Building Tomorrow Today Capital Campaign.

Name

Turning Point School

Legal name

Turning Point School

Website

https://turningpointschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Turning Point School is an independent private Preschool-through-Grade 8 school in Culver City, California, serving approximately 350–550 students via a Montessori-based curriculum, Innovation Labs, and a Positive Equation framework, with tuition of $38,325–$50,795 per year.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB)

Keywords

• Private K-8 education
• Montessori early childhood
• STEAM innovation labs
• Independent school tuition
• Preschool through middle school

Headquarters

HQ city

Culver City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Early Childhood Division: Preschool + Pre-K tuition at $38,325 per year (2026-27), includes Morning and After School Care. Revenue from educating children ages 2¾ to 5 years old.
2. Tuition - Elementary Division: Kindergarten through Grade 4 tuition at $45,308 per year (2026-27), includes Morning Care. Revenue from educating children in grades K-4.
3. Tuition - Middle School Division: Grades 5-8 tuition at $50,795 per year (2026-27), includes Morning Care. Revenue from educating students in middle school grades.
4. One-Time Placement Fee: One-time placement fee of $2,000 per child required for all new students.
5. Annual Fund Donations: Unrestricted charitable donations supporting areas of greatest need including Student Well-Being, Equity Commitment, Tuition Assistance, Faculty Development, and Programmatic Enhancements.
6. Summer Programs: Summer camps including Start-of-Summer Camp ($400 for Grades 1-6, $240 for CIT Program), Back-to-School Camp ($500 for Grades K-4, $300 for middle school options).
7. After School Programs: After Care available for K-8 students at $25 per day on drop-in basis (included in tuition for Preschool/Pre-K). Focus lessons in languages and music for additional fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Turning Point School is an independent private Preschool-through-Grade 8 school delivering year-round education on its Culver City, California campus, organized into three divisions (Early Childhood for ages 2¾-5, Elementary K-Grade 4, and Middle School Grades 5-8). Instruction is built on the proprietary "Positive Equation" philosophy, Montessori-based early childhood methods, Singapore Math, Orff Schulwerk music, and STEAM Innovation Labs. The school also sells ancillary after-school care, summer camps, athletics, and enrichment programs, and solicits Annual Fund donations.

Product overview

Turning Point School is an independent private school offering a Preschool-Grade 8 educational program built on the 'Positive Equation' philosophy encompassing intellectual, social, physical, ethical, and emotional development. The core academic structure includes three divisions: Early Childhood Division (Preschool/Pre-K for ages 2¾-5), Elementary (K-Grade 4), and Middle School (Grades 5-8). Supporting programs include Innovation Labs (SmartLab and MakerLab) for STEAM education, an Out-of-School Experience with after school care, athletics, and enrichment classes, and Summer Programs. The school received CIS Global Citizenship Certification in 2015 and operates from a Preschool-8 educational model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Division (Preschool + Pre-K) Preschool and Pre-K program for children aged 2¾ to 5 years, based on Montessori principles with work periods encouraging independence and choice, plus specialist classes (Spanish, music, physical education, library) and playground time. Tuition $38,325 per year (2026-27) includes Morning and After School Care.
• Elementary Program (Kindergarten – Grade 4) Kindergarten through Grade 4 program featuring Language Arts (Writer's Workshop, phonics, guided reading), Mathematics (Singapore Math), Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Library, Technology, Music (Orff Schulwerk), Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Physical Education. Tuition $45,308 per year (2026-27) includes Morning Care.
• Middle School Program (Grades 5-8) Grades 5-8 program including Advisory, Humanities (integrated social studies and language arts), Mathematics, Science, World Languages (Spanish, Latin, Mandarin), Community Leadership, Physical Education, Athletics, and electives, plus high school placement counseling. Tuition $50,795 per year (2026-27) includes Morning Care.
• Innovation Labs (SmartLab and MakerLab) STEAM-focused makerspaces where students engage in project-based learning and design thinking; SmartLab covers eight technology systems (robotics, circuitry, programming, multimedia) and MakerLab provides hands-on building with 3D printers, laser cutters, pneumatics boards, and Arduino software.
• Global Citizenship Program International education program certified by the Council of International Schools (CIS) in June 2015, emphasizing cross-culturalism, pluralism, service learning, and authentic project-based learning across the community.
• Out-of-School Experience (After School Programs) After school programs including free Morning Care (from 7:45am), After Care ($25/day drop-in for K-8, included in tuition for Preschool/Pre-K), Foundations Classes (STEM, Performance, Art, Movement), Focus Lessons (language immersion, music lessons), and After School Athletics.
• Summer Programs Summer camp offerings including Start-of-Summer Camp (June; $400 for Grades 1-6, $240 for CIT Program), weekly Early Childhood sessions throughout summer, Back-to-School Camp (August; $500 for Grades K-4, $300 for middle school options), and Counselor-in-Training programs for grades 7-9.
• After School Athletics Interscholastic sports program beginning in Grade 5 with a no-cut policy; includes flag football, volleyball, basketball, cheer, and track in Grade 5, and soccer, baseball, softball, cross country, track and field, and swimming in Grades 6-8, competing in the Pacific Basin League.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100% of students participate in at least one sport by Grade 8 graduation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Council of International Schools (CIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2015CIS certified Turning Point School in June 2015 following a certification process requiring demonstration of proficiency in student growth and leadership commitment, whole school development, reflection and action orientation, and authentic international education project-based learning across the community.
• Elizabeth DenevicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term engagement with education consultant Elizabeth Denevi who works with schools to increase equity, promote diversity pedagogy, and implement strategic processes for growth and development. Supports ongoing professional development for faculty and staff.
• Dr. Derrick GaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally recognized Diversity and Inclusion Strategist working with schools and businesses globally. Has consulted with over 300 independent schools worldwide and serves as senior content advisor to Sesame Street. Conducts Courageous Conversations workshops on inclusion and belonging topics including gender-inclusive schools.
• Private School VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with organization that works to support, protect, and elevate the experience of Black and other BIPOC students in independent schools.
• Private School AxisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with organization supporting diversity and inclusion in independent schools, working to support BIPOC students and families.
• Critical Conversations Series PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with over 45 public and private school communities across 34 districts and 9 states on equity and justice speaker series. Hosted guests including Professor Ibram X. Kendi, Isabel Wilkerson, and Loretta J. Ross.
• Kate SheppardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert in Organizational Resilience who has led sessions with Turning Point faculty and staff since summer 2020 on understanding stress impact on brains and recognizing others' experiences. Also provides parent education on neuroscience of stress.
• New Roads SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Critical Conversations Speaker Series, hosting events examining systemic inequity and promoting equity and justice in school communities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Curtis School: Independent K-6 school in Brentwood. Strong direct competitor at the Preschool-Elementary levels; while Curtis stops at Grade 6, families often select between Curtis and Turning Point's K-8 path during the Preschool decision.
• Campbell Hall School: Independent K-12 Episcopal school in North Hollywood serving Studio City, Valley, and westside families. Comparable independent-school model, athletics, and global citizenry emphasis; competes for families seeking a faith-optional K-8 progression.
• Wildwood School: Independent K-12 progressive school in West LA (Olympic/Hollywood) emphasizing experiential, student-centered learning. Direct competitor for K-8 families and frequent peer in regional admissions conversations.
• Windward School: Independent 7-12 school in West LA focused on students with language-based learning differences. While grades don't overlap, Windward is a top Turn Point high school placement destination and shares the West LA family acquisition channel.
• Mirman School: Independent K-8 progressive school in West LA for gifted learners. Direct Preschool-8 peer with comparable tuition and small class sizes; competes for the same high-achieving Westside families seeking K-8 continuity.
• Brentwood School: Large independent K-12 school on the East and West Brentwood campuses. Prestigious West LA competitor and also a top high school placement destination for Turning Point graduates, making it both competitor and feeder recipient.
• Crossroads School: Independent K-12 school in Santa Monica founded on progressive, academically rigorous mission. Closely comparable to Turning Point philosophically and a frequent placement destination, creating direct competition for families leaving Crossroads feeder preschools.
• The Buckley School: Independent K-12 school in Sherman Oaks serving westside and Valley families. Comparable tuition, academic intensity, and college placement outcomes - both a competitor and a listed Turning Point high school placement destination.
• Westside Neighborhood School: Independent K-8 private school in the West LA neighborhood (Playa Vista) with comparable tuition, progressive philosophy, and small class sizes. Most direct head-to-head competitor for the same West LA family pool across Preschool-Grade 8.
• New Roads School: Independent K-12 alternative school in Santa Monica with social justice and progressive orientation. Aligns with Turning Point's diversity/equity commitment and CIS-style global focus, serving overlapping family demographics in westside LA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TurningPointSch
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIBj2sVrtVUeeqTn5lLcyxw
• Facebookfacebook.com/TurningPointCulverCity
• Instagraminstagram.com/turningpointschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Turning Point School