South Pasadena Unified School District

What South Pasadena Unified School District does

South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) is a California public K-12 school district established in 1886 and headquartered in South Pasadena, California. It serves approximately 4,800 students across five schools — three elementary schools (Arroyo Vista, Marengo, Monterey Hills), one middle school (South Pasadena Middle School), and South Pasadena High School — operating as a government entity under California Department of Education oversight and an elected Board of Education. The district provides free public education to district residents, with differentiated programs including dual language immersion in Mandarin (Marengo Elementary, 50/50 model) and Spanish (Monterey Hills Elementary, 90/10 to 50/50 model), 17 AP courses, 7 CTE pathways (including Project Lead the Way engineering, biomedical science, computer science, and Virtual Enterprise), 25+ arts courses, 17 CIF-sanctioned sports, and a 45-hour community service graduation requirement.

The district's technology footprint is a district-wide 1:1 device deployment of iPads and Chromebooks, with robotics, 3D printers, and computer science instruction integrated from kindergarten through high school. Administrative systems include Aeries.net for student information, Frontline Education for absence management, SchoolDude for work orders, and Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) for elementary math. No proprietary AI or ML systems are referenced. Academic outcomes are strong: 84% of students met or exceeded ELA standards and 79% met or exceeded Math standards on 2016-2017 CAASPP assessments, placing the district in the top 5 of all K-12 unified districts in California.

Funding flows through four streams: California Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) state funding — under which SPUSD sits in the bottom 10% statewide due to low percentages of foster youth, low-income families, and English learners; a voter-approved local parcel tax providing approximately $2.3 million annually (Measure S, originally approved 2009 and renewed in 2013 and 2018); voter-approved general obligation bonds for capital projects ($98 million Measure SP in 2016, $128 million Measure SP approved in June 2026); and approximately 12% of district funding from the South Pasadena Educational Foundation, PTAs, and booster clubs. Go-to-market is non-commercial: enrollment follows residential attendance boundaries with lottery systems for oversubscribed dual immersion programs and interdistrict permits available outbound.

Name

South Pasadena Unified School District

Legal name

South Pasadena Unified School District

Website

https://spusd.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC), Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• K-12 public education
• Dual language immersion
• Career technical education
• Public school district services
• Elementary and secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

South Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. State Funding (LCFF): Local Control Funding Formula provides the primary state funding. SPUSD is in the bottom 10% of funding statewide due to lower percentages of foster youth, low income families, and English learners.
2. Local Parcel Tax: Local voter-approved parcel tax measure provides approximately $2.3 million annually in locally-controlled school funding that cannot be taken away by the State. Originally approved in 2009 and renewed in 2013 (Measure S).
3. Bond Measures: School facilities bond measures provide capital funding for construction and modernization projects. Measure SP (2016) provided $98 million; new $128 million Measure SP approved in 2026 with over 73% voter approval.
4. Community Foundation Support: South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF), PTA, and booster clubs provide approximately 12% of district funding through fundraising and donations.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Pasadena Unified School District provides free public K-12 education to approximately 4,800 students across five schools (three elementary, one middle, one high school). Its core offerings include dual language immersion programs in Mandarin and Spanish, 17 Advanced Placement courses, seven Career Technical Education pathways, Visual and Performing Arts programs across 25+ courses, 17 CIF athletic programs, and a 45-hour community service graduation requirement, supported by a district-wide 1:1 device program integrating iPads, Chromebooks, robotics, and 3D printers.

Product overview

South Pasadena Unified School District offers a comprehensive K-12 educational program across five schools (three elementary, one middle, one high school) serving approximately 4,800 students. The district provides a portfolio of educational programs including dual language immersion programs in Mandarin (at Marengo Elementary) and Spanish (at Monterey Hills Elementary), Career Technical Education pathways with Project Lead the Way engineering and biomedical science tracks, Visual and Performing Arts programs across 25+ courses, the Virtual Enterprise business program, and the Train Your Brain social-emotional support program. The district also offers Extended Day and Summer Camp programs for childcare and enrichment. The curriculum integrates state-of-the-art technology including computers, robotics, and 3D printers, with the district operating a district-wide technology deployment program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dual Language Immersion Program - Mandarin A dual language immersion program at Marengo Elementary School where students learn Mandarin Chinese through a 50/50 instructional model (English and target language), designed to develop bilingual and biliterate skills in enrolled K-5 students.
• Dual Language Immersion Program - Spanish A dual language immersion program at Monterey Hills Elementary School where students learn Spanish following a 90/10 instructional model in kindergarten that gradually shifts toward 50/50, designed to develop bilingual and biliterate skills in enrolled K-5 students.
• Career Technical Education Pathways Career Technical Education pathways at South Pasadena High School offering articulated, UC-approved classes in computer science, engineering, biomedical science, and business disciplines to prepare students for post-secondary college and career experiences.
• Visual and Performing Arts Program District-wide Visual and Performing Arts program starting at the elementary level and continuing through high school with opportunities including band, orchestra, choir, theater, and visual arts across 25+ courses.
• Extended Day Program Before and after-school child care and enrichment program for students, offering kindergarten care and after-school activities as a fee-based optional service to families.
• Summer Camp Program Summer enrichment program running from June through August offering academic and recreational activities for district students in partnership with the South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF).

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of students met or exceeded ELA standards (2016-2017 CAASPP)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Camp Reel StoriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2017Founded by former Pixar filmmaker Esther Pearl. Partnership with SPHS Club Reel Stories provides 20-week film curriculum for female students. First high school film club for girls advancing representation in media.
• Balfour BeattycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 December 2016International infrastructure company serving as construction manager for Measure SP bond program. Selected for 30-plus year reputation building award-winning K-12 schools in Southern California. Consistently ranked among top K-12 education builders.
• South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF)coreOthersPrimary nonprofit educational foundation providing significant funding to SPUSD. Contributes approximately 12% of district funding along with PTAs and booster clubs. Supports programs including Tiger Reads, arts, athletics, and academic enrichment.
• South Pasadena Council PTAcoreOthersParent-teacher association supporting all SPUSD schools through volunteer efforts, fundraising, and advocacy. Also co-hosts Special Needs Conference with the district.
• City of South PasadenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing community support services. Collaborates with SPUSD on facilities, safety initiatives, and community programs. Mayor and city officials participate in school events.
• South Pasadena Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing educational resources and programs for students and families. Listed as community resource on district website.
• SVA ArchitectscoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitectural firm serving as primary design partner for Measure SP construction projects including STEM buildings, athletic facilities, and elementary school improvements.
• The Posse FoundationminorOthersNational college access and success organization. SPHS student Brandon Zhu selected as 2018 Posse Scholar with full-ride scholarship to Bucknell University. Part of 10-student posse from LA area.
• Pasadena City CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership allowing SPHS students to visit PCC for exploration of resources and career opportunities as part of college readiness programs.
• CaltechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience club students participate in Caltech's Junior Watson Program providing STEM enrichment and exposure to science careers.
• South Pasadena Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive collaboration on school safety including Active Shooter training at secondary schools. Coordinates threat assessment and response protocols with district administration.
• Sid the Cat (Music Venue)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal music venue and promotions company owned by Kyle Wilkerson and Brandon Gonzalez. Provides guest lectures to SPHS Entrepreneurship class sharing music industry insights and entrepreneurial experience.
• Autry MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor museum featuring SPHS student artwork in Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles exhibition. Senior curator Carolyn Brucken selected current student Alexis (Brylee) Woo and alumnus Brandon Park for the exhibition.
• Ericson FoundationminorOthersFoundation providing photography competition with $10,000 scholarship awarded to SPHS senior Alexander Pobereyko for first place finish.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• La Cañada Unified School District: Adjacent unified school district of comparable size and demographics in the San Gabriel Valley; consistently ranked among California's top-performing K-12 districts on CAASPP and API. Directly competes with SPUSD for the same pool of college-oriented families.
• San Marino Unified School District: Small, high-achieving unified district in the western San Gabriel Valley with a comparable affluent demographic and reputation for academic excellence. Regularly cited alongside SPUSD among California's highest-performing K-12 systems.
• Arcadia Unified School District: Neighboring unified district in the San Gabriel Valley with similar demographic profile and academic profile, including strong AP and extracurricular offerings. Competes with SPUSD for the same regional family base.
• Pasadena Unified School District: Larger neighboring unified district serving the adjacent city of Pasadena. Differs in scale and demographics but operates under the same California LCFF framework and competes for some interdistrict transfer families.
• San Marino Unified School District: Note: duplicate of San Marino entry above; included here for ranking emphasis given how often SPUSD is benchmarked against this district in California K-12 performance rankings.
• Glendale Unified School District: Larger Los Angeles County unified district with dual language immersion and CTE pathway programs comparable to SPUSD's offerings. Operates under the same LCFF and California Department of Education framework.

Broad incumbents

• Manhattan Beach Unified School District: High-performing Southern California unified district frequently cited in statewide K-12 rankings alongside SPUSD. Comparable in scale, demographics, and reliance on local parcel taxes and bonds to supplement state funding.
• Palo Alto Unified School District: Highly ranked California unified district known for academic excellence, strong AP and STEM offerings, and similar dependence on local parcel taxes. Serves as a benchmark district in statewide K-12 comparisons where SPUSD appears.

Others

• Aeries (Eagle Software): Provider of the Aeries.net Student Information System used by SPUSD for student and staff records. Functions as a key technology vendor rather than a competitor.
• Frontline Education: Provider of the absence management system used by SPUSD staff. Technology vendor rather than a peer competitor; included as a relevant ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/spusd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 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 South Pasadena Unified School District