Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation

What Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation does

Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation, doing business as Magnolia Public Schools, operates a network of 11 tuition-free charter public schools serving approximately 3,892 TK-12 students across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. The organization was founded in 2005 (with some sources referencing 2008) as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and is authorized by LAUSD, LACOE, SDUSD, and the California Department of Education. Each campus operates under a progressive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) model emphasizing individualized scheduling, project-based constructivist learning, robotics, computer science, and arts integration, with embedded support for English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities, and students below grade level. Core programs include the annual STEAM Expo, robotics competitions (First Lego League, VEX, SeaPerch), an Alumni Success Program with success coaches, and Community Resource Fairs that integrate healthcare and social services partners into the school day. Magnolia reports a 96.2-96.7% graduation rate for the Class of 2024, 94% family satisfaction, and 76.8% LatinX student composition, with 40% higher college enrollment and 54% higher STEM graduation rates for female graduates versus peers at similar schools.

The business model is per-pupil public charter funding from California, supplemented by federal and state grants (most notably the $11.3 million 2024 CSP CMO Competition Grant for Expansion and Replication) and community donations. Tuition is not charged. Go-to-market is community-driven: enrollment flows through SchoolMint, school tours, open houses, Community Resource Fairs, and partnerships with organizations such as Baby2Baby, Dignity Health, and the LAPD, primarily targeting underserved Southern California families. Operationally, the network uses Infinite Campus for student information, ParentSquare for family communications, Clever for SSO, and Parchment for transcript management. Leadership includes CEO Alfredo Rubalcava and Chief Academic Officer and Deputy Superintendent Erdinc Acar, with campus principals overseeing individual sites. The network is expanding capacity through a new Winnetka campus for MSA-5 opening August 2026 and pursuing additional charter authorizations supported by recent California Blue Ribbon, California Distinguished Schools, and CCSA Hart Vision recognitions.

Name

Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation

Legal name

Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation

Website

https://magnoliapublicschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Magnolia Public Schools operates 11 tuition-free charter public schools across Southern California, serving about 3,892 TK-12 students with a STEAM college-preparatory model and embedded support for ELL and special education populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter STEM/STEAM-Focused Schools (EDAJACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• STEAM curriculum
• College preparatory programs
• TK-12 public schools
• Nonprofit education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: Public charter schools receive per-pupil funding from California state for each enrolled student. This is the primary revenue source supporting operations.
2. Federal and State Grants: 2024 CSP CMO Competition Grant awarded $11.3 Million for expansion and replication. Additional grants include Federal Stimulus and COVID-19 Relief Funds.
3. Donations: Community donations through Network for Good platform support campus improvements and supplemental programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation operates a network of 11 tuition-free charter public schools across Southern California delivering college preparatory STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education from TK through 12th grade. The schools serve approximately 3,892 students across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego with embedded support for English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities, and below-grade-level students, and provide project-based learning, robotics programs, college readiness coaching, and alumni tracking through college.

Product overview

Magnolia Public Schools operates 11 tuition-free charter public school campuses throughout Southern California, providing a comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) college preparatory educational program from TK through 12th grade. The network includes individual campuses across Los Angeles (MSA-1 through MSA-8), Orange County, and San Diego, each offering specialized programs including robotics competitions, college readiness initiatives, and community engagement events. The schools serve diverse student populations with specific support for English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities, and students below grade level. Key programs include the annual STEAM Expo, Community Resource Fairs, an Alumni Success Program tracking graduates through college, and robotics programs (First Lego League, VEX Robotics, SeaPerch). The network maintains partnerships with third-party educational technology platforms including Infinite Campus for student information management, SchoolMint for enrollment, and ParentSquare for family communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Magnolia Public Schools STEAM Education Program Tuition-free college preparatory STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education from TK through 12th grade, operating across 11 charter school campuses in Southern California for approximately 3,892 students.
• Magnolia Science Academy-1 Reseda (MSA-1) Charter school campus serving the Reseda community in Los Angeles, focused on STEAM education from middle to high school grades, authorized by LACOE.
• Magnolia Science Academy-2 Valley (MSA-2) Charter school campus at 17125 Victory Blvd, Lake Balboa, offering grades 6-12 with college preparatory STEAM curriculum, authorized by LACOE. Hosted first-in-community CalKIDS college savings event.
• Magnolia Science Academy-3 Carson (MSA-3) Charter school campus in Carson, California serving the local community with STEAM-focused education.
• Magnolia Science Academy-4 Venice (MSA-4) Charter school campus at 11330 W Graham Place, Los Angeles, serving grades 6-12 in the Venice/West Los Angeles area with emphasis on STEAM education, authorized by LAUSD.
• Magnolia Science Academy-5 Los Lobos (MSA-5) Span school serving grades 6-12 in the Reseda area, with expansion to a new state-of-the-art Winnetka campus at 7111 Winnetka Ave opening August 2026, authorized by LACOE. Recognized as a 2026 California Distinguished School.
• Magnolia Science Academy-6 Palms (MSA-6) Charter school campus at 4049 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, serving the Palms neighborhood with STEAM-focused middle and high school education, authorized by LAUSD.
• Magnolia Science Academy-7 Northridge (MSA-7) Elementary charter school campus at 18355 Roscoe Boulevard, Northridge, serving TK-5th grade, authorized by LAUSD. Recognized as a California Distinguished School and hosting annual Community Resource Fairs.
• Magnolia Science Academy-8 Bell (MSA-8) Charter school campus at 6411 Orchard Ave, Bell, serving the Bell community in Los Angeles County with STEAM-focused education, authorized by LAUSD.
• Magnolia Science Academy-Santa Ana (MSA-SA) STEAM TK-12 charter school campus at 2840 W 1st Street, Santa Ana, serving Santa Ana and Garden Grove families with focus on closing the achievement gap for underserved populations, authorized by CDE.
• Magnolia Science Academy-San Diego (MSA-SD) STEAM middle school campus at 6525 Estrella Ave, San Diego, serving Grades 6-8, the highest-performing STEAM middle school in San Diego and a 2026 California Blue Ribbon School, authorized by SDUSD.
• Magnolia Science Academy-Orange County (MSA-OC) Charter school campus serving Orange County communities with STEAM-focused college preparatory education.
• Robotics Programs Multiple extracurricular robotics programs offered across campuses, including FIRST Lego League, VEX Robotics, and SeaPerch underwater robotics, supporting hands-on STEAM learning.
• Alumni Success Program Post-secondary support program tracking and supporting MPS graduates through college with Alumni Success Coaches conducting academic, socio-emotional, and mental wellbeing check-ins.
• College Readiness Program Comprehensive college preparation including Parent College Academy workshops, college counseling, and alumni tracking for post-secondary success.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.7% graduation rate for Class of 2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Baby2BabyminorOthers · 1 October 2023Community partner for MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair, providing resources for families including health supplies and support services.
• Dignity HealthminorOthers · 1 October 2023Healthcare partner for MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair providing health and mental health resources for community families.
• Southern California Medical CenterminorOthers · 1 October 2023Mobile clinic partner offering free vaccinations and physical exams for MSA students and families through mobile health services.
• ONE GenerationminorOthers · 1 October 2023Community partner for MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair providing resources for families.
• LAPDminorOthers · 1 October 2023Law enforcement partner for MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair supporting community safety initiatives.
• Plaza Comunitaria SinaloaminorOthers · 1 October 2023Community education partner for MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair.
• State Senator Caroline MenjivarminorOthers · 1 October 2023Elected official partner collaborating on MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair for district families.
• L.A. City Councilmember John LeeminorOthers · 1 October 2023Elected official partner for MSA-7 Northridge Community Resource Fair supporting San Fernando Valley families.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools: A large Southern California charter school network operating multiple TK-12 campuses with a college-preparatory mission. Directly comparable to Magnolia in operator type, geography (LA region), underserved student focus, and charter authorization model.
• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: One of the largest charter networks in Los Angeles, operating 20+ college-prep schools serving similar underserved communities. Direct peer in scale, geography, and college-readiness focus.
• Green Dot Public Schools: Los Angeles-based charter management organization operating multiple public charter high schools and middle schools. Comparable in operating model, target student population, and college-prep STEAM emphasis.
• Aspire Public Schools: California-based charter school network with significant Los Angeles and Central Valley presence. Comparable as a multi-campus college-prep charter operator serving similar demographics with similar funding model.
• ICEF Public Schools: Los Angeles-based charter management organization operating multiple TK-12 schools in underserved communities. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and target student demographics to Magnolia.
• PUC Schools: Los Angeles charter network operating charter schools in similar underserved LA neighborhoods. Direct peer in operator type, authorizer relationships, and student demographics.
• Camino Nuevo Charter Academy: LA-based charter school network with multiple campuses serving predominantly Latinx students. Comparable in mission, student demographics, and college-prep focus to Magnolia.
• Valor Academy: Los Angeles-area charter school network operating multiple TK-12 campuses serving similar underserved communities with a college-preparatory mission.
• Endeavor College Prep: Los Angeles charter network operating multiple elementary and middle schools in underserved communities. Comparable in operator type, grade bands, and demographic focus.
• CHIME Institute: Southern California charter operator (LA and surrounding areas) running TK-12 inclusive and college-prep schools. Comparable in geographic focus, charter model, and educational mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/magnoliaschools
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4LF0CgSPbO7oRMMv_u7vCg
• Facebookfacebook.com/magnoliapublicschools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/magnolia-public-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/magnoliapublicschools

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries11 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 Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation