High Desert Education

What High Desert Education does

High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) is a public K-12 Education Service District created under Oregon state law to serve as the official liaison between the Oregon Department of Education and school districts across Central Oregon. Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, with multiple program sites in Redmond, the organization operates across 7 counties (Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Harney, Gilliam, Wheeler, Sherman) and partners with 10+ school districts including Bend-La Pine Schools, Crook County Schools, Redmond Schools, and Sisters Schools. Its mission is to provide equitable and specialized educational services that individual rural districts cannot cost-effectively deliver on their own.

HDESD's service portfolio is organized into four main categories: (1) Children with Special Needs Services, encompassing Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE, serving 700+ children under age 5), K-12 Special Programs for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Orthopedic Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Vision Impairment, plus the NEST behavioral program and Sagebrush program; (2) School Success Services, including the Transition Network for students ages 16-21, Professional Learning, Regional Educator Network, and the digital Learning Labs platform; (3) Administrative Services providing business, financial, HR, legal, and facilities back-office support to partner districts; and (4) Information Services covering technology infrastructure for HDESD and districts. Assistive technology capabilities include AAC devices, braille and large-print accessible educational materials, and adaptive equipment.

As a government entity, HDESD is funded through Oregon State School Fund appropriations, local property tax revenues, federal IDEA special-education flow-through, and supplemental grants (e.g., Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation $50,000 grant to Family Access Network in 2026). Services are delivered at no direct cost to families and partner districts. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and is not privately owned or investment-backed. Recent recognition includes five Central Oregon schools achieving RAMP certification (2025) and the Oregon HR Administrator of the Year award to its CHRO (2026).

Name

High Desert Education

Legal name

High Desert Education Service District

Website

https://hdesd.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

High Desert Education Service District is a public Oregon K-12 Education Service District that delivers specialized programs — early intervention, special education, assistive technology, transition services, and administrative support — to 10+ partner school districts across 7 Central Oregon counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

IEP/504 Planning, Case Management & Compliance (EDAJAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ)

Keywords

• K-12 special education
• Early childhood intervention
• Assistive technology services
• Education service district
• Regional school support

Headquarters

HQ city

Redmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: HDESD is a public K-12 school district funded through state education funding and local tax revenues. The organization links school districts to state and national education resources and helps districts access special programs.
2. Grants: HDESD receives grant funding from various sources including the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation ($50,000 grant to Family Access Network), Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation ($5,000 grant to Healthy Families), and other state and federal education grants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HDESD is a public K-12 Education Service District that delivers specialized educational programs and back-office support to school districts and students across seven Central Oregon counties. Its offerings span children with special needs (EI/ECSE, K-12 Special Programs, Assistive Technology, OT/PT, Vision, DHH), school success services (Transition Network, Professional Learning, Learning Labs), administrative services (business, HR, legal), and information/technology services. Programs such as the Family Access Network, Safe School Alliance, Sagebrush, and Juntos Aprendemos are delivered in partnership with local districts.

Product overview

High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) is a public K-12 education service district in Oregon that provides a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and services to school districts and students in Central Oregon. Rather than a single unified product, HDESD offers a multi-faceted service portfolio organized around four main categories: (1) Children with Special Needs Services, including EI/ECSE (Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education), K-12 Special Programs, Assistive Technology, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, OT/PT, Vision Services, and the NEST Program; (2) School Success Services, including Transition Network, Professional Learning, Regional Educator Network, and Learning Labs; (3) Administrative Services for business and operational support; and (4) Information Services for technology and instructional support. Key programs include the Family Access Network (FAN), Safe School Alliance, Sagebrush Program, Tri-County School Response Team, Healthy Families of the High Desert, Juntos Aprendemos, Migrant Education, and Driver Education. HDESD serves multiple counties (Deschutes, Crook, Harney, Jefferson, Gilliam, Wheeler, Sherman) and partners with numerous school districts including Bend-La Pine Schools, Crook County Schools, Redmond Schools, and Sisters Schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) Early childhood developmental support, screening, and specially designed instruction for children birth through age 5 in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties; serves children with developmental delays or disabilities before they enter Kindergarten.
• K-12 Special Programs (ASD, DHH, OI, TBI, VI) Regional programs supporting eligible students across seven counties with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Orthopedic Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Vision Impairment services.
• Assistive Technology Services Assistive technology devices and services for students with disabilities who need them to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), including equipment loan library, consultation, and staff training.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Services Evaluation, assessment, specialized instruction, sign language interpreter services, and listening and spoken language facilitation for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing from birth to age 21.
• Occupational and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) Therapy services for eligible children from birth through age 21, ranging from assessment to intervention, including adaptive equipment provision in conjunction with the Assistive Technology program.
• Vision Services Services for children from birth to 21 years with visual impairments, delivered by professional educators with postgraduate training in education for the visually impaired, including braille, large print, and accessible materials.
• Transition Network Services helping students ages 16 to 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities transition to independent and productive lives after high school, delivered in partnership with students, families, and educators.
• The NEST Program (Nurturing Empathy Safety and Trust) Special education program serving K-5 students experiencing intensive behavioral and social skills challenges, operated in partnership with Bend-LaPine School District to prepare students for transition back to their home schools.
• Safe School Alliance Regional school safety partnership providing training, education, and support to make schools safe and welcoming for all students in Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Harney, Lake, and Malheur Counties; established in 1998.
• Tri-County School Response Team Emergency response team that school administrators can request to provide support during critical incidents across the tri-county region.
• Sagebrush Program Educational services for students experiencing intensive social/emotional and behavioral issues, designed to provide academic and social skills for successful transition back to resident schools.
• Family Access Network (FAN) Program connecting children and families across Central Oregon with essential resources they need to thrive.
• Healthy Families of the High Desert Home visiting and family support services promoting healthy child development, positive parenting practices, and family stability.
• Juntos Aprendemos (Together We Learn) Program equipping 3-5 year olds and their parents with early literacy and school readiness skills, designed for Spanish-speaking families.
• Migrant Education Educational support services for migrant students and their families across the region.
• Driver Education Driver education program for high school students throughout the region.
• Substitute Services Services connecting schools with substitute educators to keep students supported, engaged, and learning when regular teachers are away.
• Learning Labs Curated collection of resources and videos supporting regional educators and students with access to learning tools whenever and wherever needed.
• Professional Learning Professional development and training opportunities for educators in the region.
• Central Oregon Regional Educator Network Network supporting educators through coordination, professional development, and collaboration among school districts in Central Oregon.
• Early Learning Hub Regional cross-sector partnership supporting parents and establishing a foundation for children's long-term success in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties.
• Administrative Services Business, administrative, and operational support for HDESD and partner school districts, including home and alternative learning support.
• Information Services Information technology and instructional support services for both HDESD and school district staff.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serve 700+ children under age 5 with developmental delays or disabilities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bend-La Pine SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner school district in Central Oregon. HDESD provides special programs including NEST Program through this partnership.
• Oregon Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHDESD serves as liaison between ODE and the districts they serve, providing technical assistance on Student Success Act development and implementation.
• Oregon School Boards AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSBA founded The Promise of Oregon campaign in 2014. HDESD participates in this campaign focusing on K-12 student accomplishments and education funding.
• Oregon Adaptive SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide adaptive ski days and outdoor recreation opportunities for students with visual impairments at Mt. Bachelor.
• Mt. BachelorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for adaptive ski programs for students with visual impairments in partnership with Oregon Adaptive Sports.
• State of Oregon Vocational RehabilitationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR assists individuals with disabilities to get and keep employment. Works in partnership with Transition Network and Pre-ETS services.
• Office of Developmental Disabilities ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerODDS organizes the Transition Technical Assistance Network (TTAN) along with ODE and VR. HDESD is part of this statewide collective.
• SafeOregonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide program for Oregon students, parents, school staff, community members and law enforcement to report and respond to student safety threats. Call or text: 844-472-3367
• Central Oregon School Safety (Safe Schools Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership of services dedicated to ensuring student safety in Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Harney, Lake, and Malhuer Counties. Established in 1998 following Thurston High School tragedy.
• Central Oregon Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the 4th Annual Culture of Care Summer Institute in August 2026.
• Early Learning Hub of Central OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cross-sector partnership working collectively to support parents and establish a solid foundation for children's long-term success. Serves Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Multnomah Education Service District: Largest Oregon ESD, serving Multnomah County. Directly comparable as another state-chartered ESD providing special education, school support, and administrative services under the same Oregon statutory framework.
• Northwest Regional Education Service District: Oregon ESD serving Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, and Washington counties. Comparable regional service-delivery model including special programs, early intervention, and migrant education.
• Willamette Education Service District: Oregon ESD covering Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. Comparable in offering EI/ECSE, special education, technology, and administrative services to partner districts under the same state framework.
• Lane Education Service District: Oregon ESD serving Lane County with a comparable mix of special education, early childhood, and administrative support services to multiple school districts.
• Clackamas Education Service District: Oregon ESD providing special education, technology, and school improvement services to districts in Clackamas County — same statutory model and service portfolio as HDESD.

Regional players

• Puget Sound Educational Service District: Washington-state regional ESD offering special education, early learning, and equity programs across a multi-county footprint — analogous to HDESD but operating in a different state.

Broad incumbents

• Oregon Department of Education: State-level education agency that HDESD reports to and acts as liaison for. Comparable as the broader public-sector umbrella governing HDESD's service standards and funding.

Emerging players

• Catapult Learning: For-profit provider of special education, intervention, and professional learning services to K-12 schools — overlapping with several HDESD program lines (special education, professional development) but delivered as a contracted vendor rather than a regional public agency.
• Specialized Education Services Inc (SESI): Private provider of specialized education and behavioral health programs for students with special needs — comparable service mix to HDESD's NEST and Sagebrush programs but for-profit and nationally distributed.

Others

• Trillium Family Services: Oregon-based behavioral health provider embedded as HDESD's clinical partner in the Sagebrush program. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hdesd
• Instagraminstagram.com/hdesd
• Xx.com/hdesd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 High Desert Education