School-to-School International

What School-to-School International does

School-to-School International (STS) is a 501(c)(3) international development non-profit founded in 2002 and headquartered in Millbrae, California (formerly Pacifica). The organization improves access to quality education for children in low- and middle-income countries, with a particular emphasis on girls and children with disabilities, by working alongside ministries of education, foundations, and other international development partners. Over more than two decades it has operated across 52 countries, building a portfolio that spans country-level programs (Asas in Jordan, RISE in Zambia/Malawi/Rwanda, LEARN in Nigeria, Bigebose in Burundi, Manahel in Syria, STEP in Malawi), research studies, and learning assessments.

The organization's technical core is its Whole Child Model, a methodology developed and refined since 2002 that integrates three pillars: quality learning through activity-based instruction, child health (WASH, nutrition, menstrual hygiene), and community engagement. STS's underlying technology stack is built on established education research instruments, including Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), Early Grade Maths Assessment (EGMA), and Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS), delivered through direct field implementation rather than as software products. It also produces capacity-strengthening curricula, policy frameworks, and MEL systems, and operates a small grant program (the Whole Child Model Grant) to seed local partners.

STS funds itself through grants, donations, and contracts from a narrow set of institutional donors, with USAID historically the single largest source. It does not sell commercial products or charge user fees. In January 2025 the organization lost 85% of its funding following the US foreign-aid pause, and by July 2025 had shuttered its Durham, Pacifica, and Lilongwe offices and reduced global staff by more than 80%. It continues to operate at a reduced scale, with ongoing projects in Zambia, Tanzania, and select other countries, and is pivoting toward a localization model in which it mentors and sub-grants locally led partner organizations.

Name

School-to-School International

Legal name

School-to-School International

Website

https://sts-international.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

School-to-School International is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2002 that strengthens education systems in low- and middle-income countries through its Whole Child Model, delivering research, assessment, capacity building, and direct project implementation alongside ministries, foundations, and NGO partners across 52 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Education Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Health & School Health Partnerships (WASH, Nutrition, SRH) (EDADALAH)

Keywords

• Education research services
• Capacity strengthening programs
• Policy strategy consulting
• Literacy assessment services
• Inclusive education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pacifica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, STS raises funds through individual donations, foundation grants, and government development contracts. Ninety percent of donated funds go directly to program beneficiaries.
2. International Development Contracts: STS bids on and implements donor-funded projects from governments and international organizations (USAID, MCC, Gates Foundation, Scottish Government, etc.)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

School-to-School International (STS) is a non-profit international development organization that delivers education research, program evaluation, capacity strengthening, and policy/strategy advisory services to governments, ministries of education, and development partners. Its work is organized around the proprietary Whole Child Model, an integrated framework combining education quality, child health, and community engagement to improve foundational learning outcomes.

Product overview

School-to-School International (STS) is an international development organization, not a software product company. It offers a portfolio of education programs and services organized around its flagship Whole Child Model methodology, which integrates education, health, and community engagement. The organization's offerings include project-based programs (RISE, Asas, Bigebose, Tanzania Numeracy Research Project, STEP, LEARN, Manahel), research and evaluation services (EGRA/EGMA assessments, program evaluations), capacity strengthening, policy development, and curriculum/training services. STS also operates grant programs like the Whole Child Model Grant for partner organizations in Tanzania. Projects span multiple countries including Zambia, Tanzania, Jordan, Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Syria, Philippines, and Morocco, implemented in partnership with governments, USAID, foundations, and NGOs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Whole Child Model: STS's flagship holistic approach to education focusing on three main areas of need: education, health, and community engagement to support children's learning.

Products and services

• Whole Child Model STS's flagship holistic education approach that integrates quality learning through activity-based instruction, child health through school health policies and services, and community engagement through parental involvement. It is deployed in partner schools, primarily in Tanzania, Guinea, and other countries.
• Research & Evaluation Services STS conducts rigorous education research and evaluations including Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA), Early Grade Maths Assessment (EGMA), Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS), and performance evaluations to measure learning outcomes and program effectiveness for governments and development partners.
• Capacity Strengthening Services STS builds the capacity of teachers, partners, and ministries through tailored training, coaching, and systems to drive sustainability and improve locally-led education solutions.
• Policy & Strategy Development Services STS partners with education leaders to craft evidence-based strategic plans, standards, learning benchmarks, policies, and sector-wide education frameworks.
• Integrated Approaches (Whole Child Services) STS delivers integrated programs that address children's needs across education, health, and community support to ensure every student reaches their full potential, drawing on the Whole Child Model framework.
• Teaching & Learning Materials Development STS provides technical expertise to ministries and partners to design, adapt, and improve curriculum and learning materials for children worldwide.
• Curriculum & Training Services STS supports the development of curricula, teacher professional development, and inclusive instructional approaches across reading, math, and accelerated learning.
• Learning Opportunities for Girls STS studies the experiences of girls, supports partners with proven approaches, and helps communities build learning environments where all students can succeed, including scholarship programs and menstrual hygiene management.
• Accessible Education Systems STS strengthens education systems by adapting assessments, supporting flexible teaching approaches, and working with governments to ensure learners with disabilities can fully participate.
• Non-Formal Education Programs STS strengthens opportunities for out-of-school learners through evaluations, guidance, and evidence-based approaches to non-formal education programs.
• RISE (Realising Inclusive and Safe Education) A project program that strengthens education systems to better support children with disabilities, especially girls, in Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda. Implemented as consortium lead with Link Education International and funded by the Scottish Government.
• Asas (Early Grade Education Activity) A five-year project advancing Jordan's national efforts to strengthen pre- and in-service teacher education and improve KG-G3 foundational skills, implemented in partnership with IREX and the U.S. Government.
• Bigebose (Every Child in School) A USDA-funded project in Burundi improving access to quality education for vulnerable children in 100 schools through school meals, literacy instruction, infrastructure, and inclusive education practices, reaching 53,609 primary and 3,713 preschool students.
• LEARN (Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria) A USAID project supporting sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for pupils in grades 1-3 in select Nigerian States, implemented in partnership with Creative Associates.
• STEP (Strengthening Teacher Education and Practice) A USAID-funded activity in Malawi strengthening teacher training colleges and the Ministry of Education to improve primary teacher preparation and operationalize a continuing professional development framework.
• TTE (Transforming Teacher Education) A five-year USAID-funded initiative in Zambia aligning pre-service teacher education with evidence-based practices, working with 12 universities and colleges to strengthen primary teacher preparation.
• Tanzania Numeracy Research Project A pilot project exploring strategies to strengthen foundational mathematics instruction in early primary classrooms using Flexible Ability Grouping, Foundational Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching, and student-centered instructional approaches in Tanzania.
• Reading for Success (Morocco) An evaluation project helping primary students in Morocco read fluently and with comprehension by improving literacy materials, instruction, and assessment systems.
• Manahel (Syria Education Programme) Assessment activities supporting education for primary-school-aged children in northwest Syria through EGRA and EMGA assessments, implemented in partnership with Chemonics and UK aid, benefiting over 600,000 children.
• Accessible Remote EGRA A proof-of-concept research activity piloting asynchronous EGRAs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the Philippines, implemented with RTI International and USAID.
• MeREECE (McGovern-Dole Project Evaluation) External evaluation of a McGovern-Dole project strengthening education in Guinea-Bissau and improving literacy of school-aged children, conducting baseline, midline, and endline evaluations.
• Learning Assessment Guidance Guidance addressing challenges to selecting suitable learning assessments for emergency and crisis contexts, produced in partnership with Save the Children.
• Whole Child Model Grant A $20,000-$25,000 grant awarded to organizations in Tanzania working to advance an integrated approach to education, health, and community engagement aligned with the Whole Child Model.
• Zambia Preservice Study A Gates-funded study building an evidence base on the impact of preservice teacher training on foundational learning in Zambia, implemented in partnership with Florida State University.

Named customers5 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, major and core.

• Asante Africa FoundationnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252026 WCM Grant recipient. Implementing integrated education approach in four schools in Arusha District, Tanzania.
• RTI InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner on Science of Teaching initiative led by Gates Foundation. STS implemented Tanzania Numeracy Research Project under this partnership.
• MIT SolvenotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnered with MIT through LEAP Challenge Project to improve flexible ability groupings in Tanzanian classrooms.
• Save the ChildrennotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Consulted with Save the Children to produce revised Learning Assessment Guidance for emergency and crisis contexts.
• Catholic Relief ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Lead implementer of Bigebose project in Burundi. STS evaluated the impact of school meal and literacy programs.
• Elle Peut NaidimnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Tanzanian partner for menstrual hygiene management. Brought 'Happy Period, Happy Girls' program to WCM schools.
• UNESCOnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership on Global Education Monitoring Report Africa Spotlight Series. STS produced country reports for Rwanda and Zambia.
• Link Education InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Consortium lead on RISE project implementing inclusive education for children with disabilities in Zambia, Malawi, and Rwanda, funded by Scottish Government.
• IREXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021STS serves as technical lead on the Asas Early Grade Education Activity in Jordan, leading assessment design, data systems, and capacity building for the Ministry of Education.
• World VisionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaborated on All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development project. World Vision's Project Director Deborah Backus provided testimonial on STS's strong capacity-building support.
• Plan International USAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership on USAID's Niger Education and Community Strengthening project. STS developed high-quality teaching and learning materials for Grade 2, contributing to significant increases in EGRA results.
• Florida State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership on Transforming Teacher Education (TTE) Activity in Zambia, implemented with USAID funding. STS provided technical leadership through Zambia field office.
• Creative AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Prime implementer of LEARN Nigeria project. STS provides technical assistance on data systems, assessments, and MEL.
• MSI (now Tetra Tech)notableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner on Morocco National Program for Reading evaluation.
• Chemonics InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Implementing partner of Syria Education Programme (UK aid funded). STS partnered on EGRA and EMGA assessments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• RTI International: RTI International is a research institute that implements large-scale international education programs (including Science of Teaching) and conducts EGRA/EGMA-style learning assessments. STS partnered with RTI on the Tanzania Numeracy Research Project and Accessible Remote EGRA, indicating directly comparable methodology, customer base (ministries of education), and delivery model.
• Creative Associates International: Creative Associates is a US-based international development firm that primes USAID education projects such as LEARN Nigeria, where STS served as a technical subcontractor. The two firms compete for the same USAID/donor early-grade reading and teacher-training prime contracts in low- and middle-income countries.
• Chemonics International: Chemonics primes multi-country education programs such as the UK-aid-funded Manahel Syria Education Programme, where STS performed assessment work. It competes with STS for donor-funded education implementer contracts across MENA, Africa, and Asia.
• IREX: IREX is an international education and youth development organization that primes and implements donor-funded education programs, including the Asas Early Grade Education Activity in Jordan where STS served as technical lead. Its portfolio, customer base, and methodologies are directly comparable to STS.
• Catholic Relief Services: CRS is a large INGO that primes USDA McGovern-Dole programs such as Bigebose in Burundi, where STS conducted impact evaluation. Both organizations deliver integrated school meals + literacy programming and compete for the same food-for-education and basic-education awards.
• Link Education International: Link Education International specializes in inclusive education for children with disabilities and co-leads the Scottish Government-funded RISE consortium with STS in Zambia, Malawi, and Rwanda. It is a direct peer in the inclusive-education sub-segment with overlapping geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision International: World Vision is a large global INGO with broad child-focused programming, including education and literacy, that operates in nearly every country where STS works. STS collaborated with World Vision on All Children Reading. World Vision is a broader-incumbent counterpart rather than a head-to-head competitor, with deeper funding base and wider scope.
• Save the Children: Save the Children is a large INGO with significant education-in-emergencies programming. STS consulted with Save the Children to revise learning-assessment guidance for crisis contexts. Save the Children operates at much larger scale and broader thematic scope than STS but overlaps on foundational literacy and learning assessment.
• Plan International: Plan International is a large INGO focused on children's rights and girls' education. STS partnered with Plan International USA on a USAID-funded Niger Education and Community Strengthening project. It is a broader-incumbent peer in girls' education programming across STS's geographies.
• FHI 360: FHI 360 is a large US-based international development organization with substantial education, research, and capacity-strengthening portfolios overlapping STS's service areas (EGRA-style assessments, teacher training, ministry advisory). It is a broader-incumbent peer with deeper funding base and broader thematic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school-to-school-international
• Xx.com/sts_intl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about School-to-School International