Achievekids

What Achievekids does

AchieveKids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1959 that operates two specialized schools in Palo Alto and San Jose, California, serving approximately 85 students aged 5-22 with complex special education needs including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and emotional/behavioral disorders. The organization delivers a multi-disciplinary program that integrates Special Education, Behavioral Health, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Services, and Transition Services (vocational education and job coaching) into individualized curricula for each student, with the stated aim of helping students transition to less restrictive environments.

AchieveKids does not operate as a technology platform; its core 'technology' is the accumulated 65 years of programmatic expertise, behavior intervention protocols, and a curated network of community and employer partners. The organization makes money primarily through contracted placements with 35+ Bay Area public school districts, which refer students via Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams and pay Nonpublic School (NPA) rates for services. A secondary revenue stream comes from individual and corporate donations, signature fundraising events (Ready Set Achieve walkathon, Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, donor appreciation events), and an endowment fund managed by a Director of Development.

The organization is led by Executive Director Stephen Crook, Board Chair Jesse Ebner, and Director of Development Karin Klarreich, with a staff of 51-100 educators and specialists across the two campuses. Go-to-market is relationship-driven and district-centric: student enrollment flows through IEP-driven referrals from sending districts, while donor and community engagement is cultivated through events, newsletters, social media, and podcast content.

Name

Achievekids

Legal name

AchieveKids

Website

https://achievekids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AchieveKids is a 65-year-old California 501(c)(3) non-profit operating two specialized schools in Palo Alto and San Jose that serve 85+ students aged 5-22 with complex special needs through a multi-disciplinary blend of special education, behavioral health, speech therapy, and vocational transition services, funded by school district contracts and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Nonpublic school agency
• Behavioral health therapy
• Vocational transition programs
• Speech language therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Palo Alto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. School District Funding: Publicly funded special education services where local school districts pay for student placements when their needs cannot be met in district schools. This is the primary revenue mechanism.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations from supporters, including an annual fundraising campaign, Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, Ready Set Achieve walkathon events, and general donations. The organization maintains an endowment fund for long-term financial stability.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from signature events including the annual Ready Set Achieve walkathon, Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, and donor appreciation events. Events include sponsorships, silent auctions, and participant donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AchieveKids operates two specialized nonpublic schools (Palo Alto and San Jose) delivering a multi-disciplinary special education program for students aged 5-22 with complex learning needs, behavioral challenges, and developmental disabilities. Services integrate Special Education, Behavioral Health, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health support, Community Integration, and Vocational/Transition Services, with a goal of returning students to public schools or less restrictive environments. Student placements are funded primarily through contracts with 35+ referring Bay Area school districts following IEP team determinations.

Product overview

AchieveKids operates two specialized schools in Palo Alto and San Jose serving students aged 5-22 with complex special education needs. The organization offers an integrated multi-disciplinary approach combining Special Education, Behavioral Health, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Services, and Transition Services (Vocational Education). Programs are data-driven and tailored to each student, with a focus on positive practices, communication, community integration, and preparing students to return to public schools or less restrictive environments. The schools also maintain Community Integration and Educational Resources components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Education Program Multi-disciplinary special education program for students aged 5-22 with complex learning needs, combining best practices from special education, mental health, behavior analysis, speech and language therapy, and vocational education. Delivered at the Palo Alto and San Jose campuses and contracted through IEP-based agreements with referring school districts.
• Behavioral Health Services Behavioral health services replacing aggressive behaviors with appropriate social skills while increasing self-awareness and self-esteem, through student assessments, behavior intervention plans, and comprehensive data collection. Delivered to enrolled students at AchieveKids campuses.
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Transition Services (Vocational Education)
• Mental Health Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Community Integration Program

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alum Rock Southern Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational partner providing work experience opportunities for students. Students train at the location to develop job skills in a faith-based community setting.
• College Hunks Hauling JunkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational partner providing job training and employment opportunities for students ages 14-22 in the moving/junk removal industry.
• CrossFitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational partner offering fitness industry job training opportunities for students.
• Gym 19minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal gym providing vocational training opportunities for students interested in fitness industry careers.
• Jiffy LubeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuto service vocational partner offering job training in automotive maintenance for students.
• Merry MaidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouse cleaning service vocational partner providing job training opportunities for students.
• Mi Rancho MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal grocery market partner offering retail and food service job training opportunities for students.
• MKO Auto Service IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuto repair shop providing automotive vocational training for students.
• Mountain Mike's PizzaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPizza restaurant chain partner providing food service job training opportunities.
• Our Daily Bread Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partner providing community service and vocational training opportunities for students.
• Pet Food ExpressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPet supply retailer providing job training in retail/customer service for students.
• Rosy's Fish CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant partner offering food service job training for students.
• San Jose Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic library providing community service and job training opportunities for students.
• Second Harvest Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partner providing vocational training and community service opportunities for students.
• The Car & Truck ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuto repair partner offering automotive vocational training for students.
• The National Center for Equine Facilitated TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapeutic riding center partner providing vocational and therapeutic opportunities for students.
• Trial PayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany partner providing job training opportunities for students.
• Wash AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCar wash partner providing vocational training in automotive cleaning services.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA partner providing fitness and recreation industry job training opportunities.
• Humane Society Silicon ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership where students create animal enrichment items for shelter animals. Provides vocational training in crafting and community service experience.
• Smile FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarm partner providing outdoor vocational training and animal care experience for students through monthly visits.
• Our City Forest Community NurseryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partner providing outdoor vocational training in tree nursery and landscaping for students.
• City of San Jose Adopt-A-Park ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic partnership providing community service and environmental stewardship opportunities for students at Lake Cunningham Park.
• Salvation Army of Silicon ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner hosting regular volunteer groups from AchieveKids for community service experience.
• Pacific Autism Center for EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted Autism Awareness Month screening of Swim Team documentary film, collaboration on community awareness events.
• 35+ School DistrictscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic school districts across the Bay Area refer students to AchieveKids through contracted Nonpublic School/Nonpublic Agency agreements. These district partnerships are the core referral mechanism for student enrollment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE): Silicon Valley–based nonprofit operating specialized schools and adult programs for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Directly comparable to AchieveKids as a Bay Area NPA-style special education provider serving complex-needs students through district-funded placements.
• Charles Armstrong School: Belmont, CA private nonprofit school for grades 2–12 serving students with language-based learning differences and dyslexia. Directly comparable to AchieveKids as a Bay Area nonprofit specialized school built on individualized instruction for students whose needs exceed district capabilities.
• Easterseals Bay Area: Bay Area chapter of a national nonprofit providing special education, autism services, and workforce development for individuals with disabilities. Directly comparable as a regional multi-disciplinary disability and education services provider working with school district referrals.
• Hope Services: Silicon Valley nonprofit delivering education, employment, and community-living disability services across the lifespan. Directly comparable as a Bay Area special-needs services provider with the same vocational/employment pathway emphasis as AchieveKids' transition services.
• Children's Health Council: Palo Alto–based nonprofit operating special education schools, autism centers, and mental health services for children with learning and developmental differences. Directly comparable as a Palo Alto-headquartered special education school operator using multi-disciplinary programming.
• Bridges Academy: Studio City, CA private school designed for gifted and twice-exceptional learners including students with language-based learning differences. Directly comparable to AchieveKids as a private specialized school serving students outside traditional public school settings.
• Beacon College: Leesburg, FL accredited residential college specifically for students with learning differences, ADHD, and dyslexia. Directly comparable as a specialized education institution focused on transition to post-secondary outcomes for students with learning differences.

Broad incumbents

• Laurel Springs School: California-headquartered accredited online K–12 school offering personalized instruction with college-prep and special needs accommodations. Comparable as a broader private alternative-education provider that includes special needs pathways alongside a wider portfolio.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: National nonprofit operating specialized schools, residential programs, and behavioral health services for individuals with autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, and intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a scaled operator offering overlapping multi-disciplinary special education and behavioral services.
• The Help Group: Los Angeles–based nonprofit operating multiple special education schools and family service centers for children with autism, learning disabilities, and emotional disorders. Comparable as a larger scaled nonprofit specialized-schools operator with multi-disciplinary services for complex-needs students.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AchieveKids-77888376315
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/achievekids
• Instagraminstagram.com/achievekids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Achievekids