Vancouver Public Schools
Vancouver Public Schools is a public K-12 district in Vancouver, Washington serving approximately 20,000 students across 39 schools, funded through state apportionment and voter-approved levies, and offering traditional, choice, and dual-language programs.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1852
- HeadquartersVancouver, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Vancouver Public Schools does
Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) is a public K-12 school district headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, providing free public education to approximately 20,000 students across 39 schools within a 58-square-mile service area. The district operates traditional neighborhood schools alongside a portfolio of choice programs — including the VITA and RBG elementary schools launched in 2023-24 — and dual-language instructional offerings designed to serve a diverse, bilingual student population.
VPS funds its operations through a mix of state per-pupil apportionment, voter-approved local levies (including a 2013 technology levy and a February 2025 technology/safety/capital levy), federal categorical grants, and bond proceeds. The 2017-2020 bond program financed a major cycle of school rebuilds and modernization, while recurring technology levies institutionalize ongoing investment in classroom and digital infrastructure. The district is governed by an elected school board and led by a superintendent (recently transitioned to Torres-Morales, succeeding Jeff Snell).
As a public-sector entity, VPS operates as a geographic monopoly on compulsory K-12 education within district boundaries, with no commercial revenue model, no equity holders, and no M&A optionality. Its strategic levers are voter-approved funding cycles, programmatic differentiation to retain and attract families, capital reinvestment in facilities, and talent/leadership succession. The entity is not an investable target in the conventional PE/VC sense but is comparable in scale and operating discipline to mid-sized public agencies.
Vancouver Public Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vancouver Public Schools
- Legal name
- Vancouver School District #37
- Website
- https://vansd.org
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1852
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Vancouver Public Schools is a public K-12 district in Vancouver, Washington serving approximately 20,000 students across 39 schools, funded through state apportionment and voter-approved levies, and offering traditional, choice, and dual-language programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vancouver Public Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Public Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)
Keywords
Where Vancouver Public Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Vancouver Public Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- State Funding: Primary funding source from Washington State for basic education, covering approximately 80% of special education costs and other educational programs.
- Local Levy Funding: Educational Program and Operations (E&O) levies approved by voters, representing approximately 12.5% of annual district funding. Covers classroom supplies, teachers, nurses, counselors, mental health staff, programs of choice, special education, safety staff, Family-Community Resource Centers, extracurricular activities, and building maintenance.
- Bond Measures: Capital funding from voter-approved bonds used exclusively for facility construction, renovation, and major building projects. Bonds cannot fund day-to-day operations.
- Technology and Capital Levy: Local levy funding for technology devices, software platforms, infrastructure, building system repairs, and safety improvements. Estimated at $0.29-$0.38 per $1,000 of assessed property value from 2026-2031.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Free public education for all enrolled students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Vancouver Public Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vancouver Public Schools is a public K-12 school district that delivers neighborhood schooling, specialized choice programs (including language immersion and STEM academies), career-technical education pathways, and a full continuum of student support services such as special education. Its core deliverable is free, publicly funded K-12 instruction and related student services to children residing within its boundaries.
Product overview
Vancouver Public Schools is a public school district serving approximately 20,000 students across 39 schools in Vancouver, Washington. The district operates a unified portfolio of educational offerings centered around its traditional neighborhood schools and comprehensive choice programs. The core educational delivery consists of 23 elementary schools (K-5), 6 middle schools (6-8), 5 comprehensive high schools, and specialized choice schools including Vancouver iTech Preparatory (STEM-focused, grades 6-12), Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (arts-focused, grades 6-12), Vancouver Innovation Technology and Arts Elementary (VITA, project-based learning), and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary (dual-language choice school). Supporting infrastructure includes the weLearn 1:1 technology initiative providing devices to students grades 3-12, the Family-Community Resource Center network for family support services, Vancouver Virtual Learning Academy for remote learning, and Vancouver Home Connection for homeschool support. The district also offers career-focused choice programs including Construction Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Medical Arts, and Culinary Arts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Neighborhood K-12 Schools Free, publicly funded K-12 instruction delivered to resident students at district-run neighborhood schools across elementary, middle, and high school grades. Intended for school-age children residing within district boundaries.
- Choice Schools and Programs Specialized public school programs including language immersion, STEM-focused, and other option schools that allow families to choose alternatives to their assigned neighborhood school. Targeted at families seeking specialized academic pathways within the public system.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career-pathway coursework and applied learning programs preparing high school students for industry credentials, trades, and post-secondary careers. Intended for secondary students interested in career and technical fields.
- Special Education Services Comprehensive special education and related student support services for students with disabilities and learning needs, delivered as part of the district's K-12 public education mission. Intended for qualifying students and their families.
Quantifiable outcome
- 83.6% four-year graduation rate (2024)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Vancouver Public Schools
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Vancouver Public Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature3 records
Vancouver Public Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Foundation for Vancouver Public SchoolscoreNonprofit foundation established in 1988 to provide basic needs assistance, enrichment opportunities, and other support for students. Partners with the district to mobilize resources and remove obstacles to student success.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Vancouver Public Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Seattle Public Schools: Largest Washington public school district with similar governance structure, levy funding model, and broad academic program portfolio. Larger scale but operationally comparable in choice programs, special education, and multilingual services.
- Tacoma Public Schools: Large urban Washington public school district operating K-12 schools with IB, CTE, and dual-language programs. Comparable urban-suburban profile with diverse student population and similar funding mix of state and local levy dollars.
- Long Beach Unified School District: Large, award-winning California public school district recognized for academic outcomes and integrated technology programs. Comparable in operating scale, choice school portfolio, and use of community resource centers as wraparound support.
- Prince William County Public Schools: Large suburban mid-Atlantic public school district with comparable K-12 portfolio including IB, CTE, and specialized academies. Similar headcount band and emphasis on community engagement and choice programs.
Emerging players
- Khan Academy: Nonprofit online learning provider serving K-12 students and educators with personalized learning tools. Adjacent to VPS's weLearn 1:1 program and VVLA virtual academy as a potential supplemental content, tutoring, or AI-enabled learning partner.
Direct peers
- Portland Public Schools: Adjacent Portland-metro public school district serving a similar urban-suburban student population with extensive choice programs and magnet schools. Comparable size band and governance model with elected board and superintendent structure.
- Hillsboro School District: Adjacent Oregon public school district offering STEM, CTE, dual-language, and arts-focused choice programs. Similar suburban profile, levy funding model, and emphasis on equity and wraparound services.
- Beaverton School District: Suburban Portland-metro public school district serving a highly diverse student population with extensive choice programs and dual-language immersion. Directly comparable in scale (20,000+ students), demographics, and operational footprint.
- Spokane Public Schools: Mid-sized Washington public school district operating neighborhood, magnet, and choice schools. Comparable size band, funding mix, and reliance on local levies, with similar graduation-rate and outcome reporting requirements.
- Evergreen Public Schools: Neighboring Washington public school district serving a comparable suburban Vancouver/Clark County footprint. Operates a similar K-12 portfolio with magnet/choice programs and competes with VPS for inter-district transfer students and families.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vancouver Public Schools social profiles
Digital presenceVancouver Public Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vancouver Public Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Vancouver Public Schools subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Vancouver Public Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vancouver Public 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 Vancouver Public Schools
What does Vancouver Public Schools do?
Vancouver Public Schools is a public K-12 school district that delivers neighborhood schooling, specialized choice programs (including language immersion and STEM academies), career-technical education pathways, and a full continuum of student support services such as special education. Its core deliverable is free, publicly funded K-12 instruction and related student services to children residing within its boundaries.
Is Vancouver Public Schools a public or private company?
Vancouver Public Schools is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Vancouver Public Schools founded?
Vancouver Public Schools was founded in 1852. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Vancouver Public Schools based?
Vancouver Public Schools is headquartered in Vancouver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vancouver Public Schools make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. State Funding is the primary driver. The others are local Levy Funding, bond Measures and technology and Capital Levy.
Who are Vancouver Public Schools's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Seattle Public Schools, Tacoma Public Schools, Long Beach Unified School District and Prince William County Public Schools. Khan Academy is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Portland Public Schools, Hillsboro School District, Beaverton School District, Spokane Public Schools and Evergreen Public Schools.
Does Vancouver Public Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vancouver Public Schools.
What industry is Vancouver Public Schools in?
Vancouver Public Schools's product category is K-12 Public Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAE, Public K–12 Combined Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.