What Center for Early Education does

The Center for Early Education (CEE) is an independent, coeducational, nonsectarian private school serving 540 students from Toddler through Grade 6 on a single campus at 563 N. Alfred Street in West Hollywood, California. Founded in 1939 by professional psychoanalysts as one of Los Angeles's first preschool programs, CEE operates as a nonprofit governed by a Board of Trustees with Damian Jones as Head of School. The school's academic program combines a developmentally-appropriate, play-based Early Childhood curriculum with a comprehensive Elementary School program covering Language Arts, Math (Singapore Math approach), Science, Social Studies, Arts, Music, Spanish, Library, and Physical Education, with the RULER social-emotional learning framework from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence integrated across all grades.

CEE's technology and pedagogy layer is anchored by the Innovation Center (opened 2013), which houses hands-on fabrication tools (3D printing, laser cutting) and supports the Design Summits STEAM program launched in 2023-24 for Grades 2-6, plus a two-year Maker Fellows teacher development pipeline. Specialty and enrichment offerings include an After School Program (music, arts, athletics, STEM, languages), an Athletics program beginning in Grade 4, Robotics Teams, a Summer at The Center camp series, and an After-School Daycare Program launching for all grades in 2025-26. The school also operates a Community Service program with a 30+ year partnership with the Hollywood Food Coalition and an active Alumni Council.

CEE's revenue model is tuition-led, with tuition covering 75% of educational costs and the remaining 25% funded through an Annual Fund Drive (with 98-100% parent participation sustained for the past decade), an endowment established in 1994, an annual gala, capital campaigns, and planned giving. Distribution is entirely direct: a dedicated admissions portal, campus tours, family information sessions, and word-of-mouth within the LA independent school community. The school does not use paid advertising and has no reseller or third-party distribution channels.

Name

Center for Early Education

Legal name

The Center for Early Education

Website

https://centerforearlyeducation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Center for Early Education is a nonprofit independent private school in West Hollywood, California serving 540 students from Toddler through Grade 6 with a play-based early childhood program, comprehensive elementary academics, RULER social-emotional learning, and a STEAM Innovation Center. Revenue is tuition-led with Annual Fund and endowment support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-6 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classroom Learning Centers & Thematic Units (Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory, STEM) (EDACAJAH), Toddler-Focused Childcare Centers (EDACAAAG)

Keywords

• Private elementary education
• Early childhood education
• Independent school programs
• Social-emotional learning
• STEAM curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

West Hollywood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue source. Tuition covers 75% of the cost of a Center education. Programs include Full-Day and Half-Day Toddler, EC1-EC2, and Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Tuition rates are not publicly disclosed but vary by program level.
2. Annual Fund Drive: Annual giving campaign providing crucial supplement to tuition. Supports curricular materials, technology, professional development, programs/events, and financial aid. School reports 98-100% parent participation in AFD over the past decade.
3. Gala: Annual themed gala is the school's largest community event, raising funds for educational programs. Features dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions.
4. Capital Campaigns: Historical capital campaigns funded construction of instructional buildings, underground parking, science labs, art/music studios, Community Center, and Gym. Current priorities include security, financial aid, and endowment.
5. Endowment Fund: Endowment established in 1994. Endowment gifts remain intact generating returns for the school. Includes Unrestricted Endowment Fund and named restricted endowment funds for donors considering gifts of six figures or more.
6. After School Programs & Daycare: Fee-based enrichment classes (music, arts, STEM, athletics, languages) offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. After-school daycare available at $10/hour (2025-26) for EC1-6th grade.
7. Summer Programs: Summer camp programs including Camp Adventure (arts, science, athletics, robotics, etc.), Center Sports Camp, and EC/Kindergarten Summer Transition Program. Open to public for rising 1st-7th graders.
8. Restricted Funds & Planned Giving: Donor-directed gifts for specific interests (teachers, music, art, financial aid). Planned giving options offer tax benefits and support future generations of CEE students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Center for Early Education is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian independent school providing in-person education for students from Toddler through Grade 6, located on its single West Hollywood campus. Its core offerings include an Early Childhood play-based program, an Elementary School academic program, and an Innovation & Design STEAM curriculum anchored in the on-campus Innovation Center, augmented by after-school enrichment, athletics, summer camps, and community service programming.

Product overview

The Center for Early Education operates as a single-site independent private school serving 540 students from Toddler through Grade 6. Its educational portfolio is organized around a core academic program (Early Childhood and Elementary School) augmented by specialist programs in Innovation & Design (stemming from the Innovation Center), and enrichment offerings including After School Programs, Athletics, Summer Camps, and Community Engagement. Key named program components include the Design Summits STEAM program, Maker Fellows professional development, Robotics Teams, RULER social-emotional learning, and the Alumni Community Service Award. The school functions as an educational institution providing in-person instruction, and does not offer a software-as-a-service product or technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Program Developmentally-based play program for Toddler, EC1, and EC2 students featuring indoor/outdoor experiential learning centers, thematic curriculum, social-emotional learning, and the RULER approach from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
• Elementary School Program Comprehensive academic program for grades K-6 covering Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Arts, Music, Innovation & Design, Technology, Spanish, Library, and Physical Education, with social-emotional learning integrated throughout.
• Innovation & Design Curriculum STEM/STEAM curriculum housed in the Innovation Center providing hands-on learning in coding, digital citizenship, engineering, graphic design, digital fabrication (3D printing, laser cutting), and Maker education across all grade levels.
• Innovation Center On-campus dynamic learning hub serving as the central community space for students and teachers to engage in transformative technology and maker experiences; includes hands-on work tables, tools, 3D printer, and laser cutter.
• Design Summits Program Grade 2-6 design and STEAM project program featuring grade-specific projects including Stop Motion Films (Grade 2), EV Derby (Grade 3), Wooden Animals (Grade 4), Robot Petting Zoo (Grade 5), and 3D City Design (Grade 6), culminating in exhibitions and annual STEAM Festival.
• After School Program Enrichment classes and programs for EC2-6th Grade offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions covering music, creative arts, athletics, STEM, and musical productions.
• After School Daycare Program Extended on-campus care program for Toddlers through 6th grade, running until 5:00 PM (Toddlers) or 6:00 PM (EC1-C6) daily, featuring age-appropriate activities, play spaces, and library access.
• Athletics Program After-school coed and single-gender sports teams (basketball, volleyball, flag football, track and field, golf, soccer) for Upper Elementary students, beginning in developmental league (Grade 4) and progressing to competitive league (Grade 6).
• Summer at The Center Summer camp programs including Camp Adventure (rising Grades 1-7 with arts, science, robotics, cooking, athletics, and more), Center Sports Camp (Grades 1-7), and EC/Kindergarten Summer Transition Program (rising EC1, EC2, CK students).
• Robotics Teams Year-round Upper Elementary Co-ed and Girls' Robotics teams allowing students to participate in robotics competitions.
• Alumni Community Service Award $1,000 stipend grant created by CEE Alumni Council to support alumni community service projects during summer breaks; up to three grants awarded annually to alumni in grades 10-12.

Quantifiable outcome

• Near-100% parent participation in Annual Fund Drive over past decade
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alexandria HouseminorOthersCommunity service partner for CEE service learning programs. Provides opportunities for students to engage in hands-on volunteerism and learn about social issues through direct community involvement.
• Big SundayminorOthersCommunity service organization partnering with CEE for student volunteer opportunities and service learning integration.
• Baby2BabyminorOthersNonprofit organization providing essentials to children in poverty, partnering with CEE for community service engagement.
• City GreensminorOthersCommunity partner for CEE service learning initiatives focused on environmental sustainability and local community support.
• Heal the BayminorOthersEnvironmental organization partnering with CEE for sustainability education and community service projects.
• Hollywood Food CoalitionminorOthersCEE has maintained a 30+ year partnership providing sandwiches through the Sandwiches for the Hungry program - one of CEE's longest-running community service opportunities.
• Saban Community ClinicminorOthersHealthcare community partner for CEE service learning and community engagement programs.
• Westside Food BankminorOthersFood security organization partnering with CEE for community service and hunger relief initiatives.
• Yale Center for Emotional IntelligencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEE has integrated the RULER approach to social-emotional learning, developed at Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence, across all grade levels. CEE teachers serve as RULER Leadership Fellows and a task force helps implement the approach school-wide.
• Fly FiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFly Five is a K-8 social and emotional learning curriculum focused on C.A.R.E.S. competencies (Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control). CEE teachers trained as Fly Five Ambassadors integrate mindfulness and SEL practices.
• PATH (People's Assistance for the Helpless)minorOthersPartner for pen pal program connecting ECE students with PATH participants for intergenerational connection and learning.
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)minorOthersNational organization representing independent schools. CEE holds membership in NAIS for professional affiliation and industry standards alignment.
• CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools)minorOthersRegional accrediting body for independent schools in California. CEE holds accreditation through CAIS.
• Green Schools AllianceminorOthersOrganization supporting sustainability in schools. CEE holds membership demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship.
• NASAminorOthersIn January 2022, CEE students participated in a NASA downlink event with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Over sixty K-6 students submitted video questions and approximately twenty were selected for the live event with astronauts Kayla Barron and Mark Vande Hei.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• WSTEM: WSTEM is a Los Angeles-area nonprofit operating STEAM enrichment programs (robotics, coding, drones) in private schools and after-school settings—representative enabling/complementary STEM provider adjacent to CEE's Innovation Center offering.

Direct peers

• Curtis School: K-6 independent school in Los Angeles; same elementary grade ceiling, similarly tuition-supported nonprofit model, comparable to CEE on student population size and family profile.
• Crossroads School: K-12 independent school in Santa Monica; matches CEE on progressive/play-based early childhood pedagogy, social-emotional curriculum emphasis, and similar Westside LA family demographic.
• Brentwood School: Major K-12 independent school in Los Angeles; comparable on private coed nonsectarian model, college-preparatory curriculum, and West LA location serving similar Westside families. Direct overlap on admissions demographics and STEAM positioning.
• Wildwood School: K-12 progressive independent school in West Los Angeles; matches CEE on play-based early childhood, constructivist curriculum approach, and emphasis on social-emotional learning within Westside LA market.
• Mirman School: K-8 independent school in Los Angeles for gifted learners; comparable on small-scale, specialized curriculum focus, hands-on STEAM/Maker emphasis, and West LA family draw.
• The Buckley School: K-6 (with extension through grade 12) independent school in Sherman Oaks; the closest direct grade-range peer to CEE in the Los Angeles private school landscape, with similar coed lower-school play-based and academic programs.

Emerging players

• Turning Point School: K-8 progressive independent school in Culver City; smaller-scale competitor with overlapping social-emotional and constructivist pedagogy but distinct regional positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Harvard-Westlake School: Large K-12 independent school with two campuses in LA; broader scale incumbent serving same Westside families with deeper resources and more extensive secondary placement pathway.
• Campbell Hall: K-12 independent Episcopal school in North Hollywood; broader incumbent in same LA private school category with similar play-based and progressive curriculum positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ceeupdate
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCenterWestHollywood
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecenterforearlyeducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-center-for-early-education

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 Center for Early Education