Los Angeles Education Corps

What Los Angeles Education Corps does

Los Angeles Education Corps (LAEC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charter management organization established in 2008 (predecessor The Education Corps operating since 1996) that oversees the College and Career Academy (CCA), a network of six small campuses across Los Angeles County — Inglewood, Paramount, Watts, Long Beach, Pico-Union, and South LA — serving approximately 600–780 students ages 14–24 who have left or been pushed out of traditional schools. Each campus operates as a learning community of 100–130 students with class sizes capped at 15–20, delivering a WASC-accredited A-G college preparatory curriculum accelerated to four terms per year, allowing most students to complete remaining credits and graduate within 18–24 months.

The organization's product stack centers on second-chance diploma completion layered with Career Technical Education pathways — NCCER-certified construction training (166 hours, including CPR, first aid, Cal OSHA 10/30), a California Department of Public Health-certified 14-week Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, and conservation training delivered through partner co-location with the LA Conservation Corps and Conservation Corps of Long Beach. Wraparound services are a core part of the offering: Hazel Health provides free on-campus telehealth video therapy, USC/UCLA/CSU Long Beach MSW students deliver one-on-one counseling and case management, and the Get Lit poetry program runs at the Watts campus. The CCA College Fund provides last-mile financial support for college-bound graduates.

The business model is that of a free public charter school: the majority of operating revenue comes from California's Average Daily Attendance (ADA) per-pupil funding, supplemented by philanthropic donations from individuals and corporations, foundation grants (including the 2025 Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Education Grant and California Department of Education CTEIG and Learning Recovery Block Grant awards), and a small in-house fleet of corporate volunteer engagements. LAEC does not charge tuition; the differentiated cost structure (small classes, technology, wraparound services) is sustained by donations layered on top of ADA. Distribution is direct-enrollment at the six campuses with classes starting every three months year-round, with referrals flowing from partner nonprofits (LA Conservation Corps, YouthBuild Global, Brotherhood Crusade) and social service agencies. In July 2026, all six sites will consolidate under a single unified CCA charter with the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools as the new charter authorizer.

Name

Los Angeles Education Corps

Legal name

Los Angeles Education Corps

Website

https://laedcorps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Los Angeles Education Corps is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charter management organization operating six campuses across Los Angeles County, providing accelerated high school diploma pathways and vocational training to approximately 600-780 students ages 14-24 who have left traditional schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK), Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• Alternative high school
• Career technical education
• Vocational training programs
• Youth workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Long Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 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. Average Daily Attendance (ADA) Funding: California public school funding based on average daily attendance that covers the majority of school costs. Like any California public school, LAEC benefits from this state funding formula.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Support: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations to cover innovative components beyond traditional funding, including smaller class sizes, technology equipment, tutoring services, and student support items (Metro TAP cards, rent assistance, eyeglasses). Also includes CCA College Fund for college-bound students.
3. Grants: Grants from foundations and government programs including Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Education Grant, California Department of Education Career Technical Education Investment Grant (CTEIG), and Learning Recovery Block Grant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Los Angeles Education Corps operates a charter school management organization running six College and Career Academy campuses that deliver a state-accredited high school diploma and A-G college preparatory curriculum to youth ages 14-24 who have been pushed out of or fallen behind in traditional schools. The organization pairs academic instruction with Career Technical Education pathways (construction and Certified Nursing Assistant), wraparound counseling and case management, college transition support, and paid job training through partner organizations.

Product overview

Los Angeles Education Corps (LAEC) operates as a charter management organization overseeing the College and Career Academy (CCA), a unified state-accredited charter high school system launched in July 2026. The organization manages six small learning communities (100-130 students each) in Inglewood, Long Beach, Paramount, Pico-Union, South Los Angeles, and Watts, serving youth ages 14-24 who need a second chance to earn their high school diploma. The portfolio includes LAEC YouthBuild CTE Training Center offering construction and CNA certifications, the Four-Year Focused college transition program, MSW Counseling through university partnerships, Hazel Health telehealth services, Get Lit poetry program, and the CCA College Fund for post-secondary financial support. These programs work together to provide holistic education, career training, mental health services, and college preparation for underserved youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College and Career Academy (CCA) Charter High School State-accredited charter high school with six small learning communities (100-130 students each) serving youth ages 14-24 who need a second chance to earn their high school diploma. Minor Campuses serve ages 14-19 (Inglewood, Paramount, Watts) and Young Adult Campuses serve ages 17-24 (Long Beach, Pico-Union, South LA). Follows A-G college preparatory curriculum with accelerated programs and 15-20 student class sizes. WASC-accredited.
• LAEC YouthBuild CTE Training Center

Quantifiable outcome

• 190 students transitioned to post-secondary education (2012-2015)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• LA Conservation CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership providing students with wraparound services including counseling, case management, and paid job training in conservation. LA Conservation Corps is a co-located partner at South LA and Pico Union campuses. Named after Bruce Saito, longtime executive director.
• Conservation Corps of Long BeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering conservation and construction training at CCA Long Beach campus. Provides educational and work programs for young adults ages 16-24.
• YouthBuild GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational affiliate providing curriculum for hands-on training and career pathway exploration. Students can gain industry certificates for high-wage jobs. LAEC YouthBuild is open to LAEC students, alumni, and community members seeking a diploma and career.
• California Department of Public HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification partner for LAEC YouthBuild Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program. Programs are approved and certified by the department at Pico Union and Long Beach campuses for young people ages 16-24.
• Hazel HealthsupportingOthersFree online counseling partnership providing at-school video visits with licensed therapists for all students at no cost to families. School health representatives initiate video visits.
• USC (University of Southern California)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate students pursuing Masters in Social Work are hosted on campuses providing one-on-one counseling and case management services to students.
• UCLAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate students pursuing Masters in Social Work are hosted on campuses providing one-on-one counseling and case management services to students.
• California State University Long BeachsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate students pursuing Masters in Social Work are hosted on campuses providing one-on-one counseling and case management services to students.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAEC YouthBuild is an NCCER training provider and Accredited Training Sponsor (ATS), able to train construction trainers and qualify them for continuing education credits or certification renewals.
• Get LitsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitywide poetry program implemented at College Bridge Academy Watts campus. Uses standards-based curriculum fusing classic literature and poetry with contemporary spoken word performance. Participants show higher attendance, grades, and graduation rates.
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal employment and training programs that provide job training and support services for youth, allowing participants up to age 24 to continue pursuing their high school diploma.
• Brotherhood CrusadesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partner providing support services to students at some campuses.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YouthBuild USA: National nonprofit network providing alternative education and construction training for at-risk youth ages 16-24. Directly comparable to LAEC's YouthBuild CTE Training Center, which operates as a YouthBuild affiliate offering NCCER-certified construction pathways.
• Aspire Public Schools: California-based nonprofit charter management organization operating public charter schools from elementary through high school, with significant presence in Los Angeles and Central Valley. Comparable on charter operating model and California footprint serving college-bound low-income students.
• Green Dot Public Schools: One of the largest charter management organizations in Los Angeles, operating public charter high schools focused on college readiness for underserved students. Closely comparable to LAEC in target demographic, geography, and college-prep charter school model.
• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: Los Angeles-based charter management organization operating 20+ public charter schools serving predominantly low-income communities. Direct comparable on charter operating model, LA geography, and college-prep focus.
• KIPP LA Schools: California-licensed charter management organization operating multiple public charter schools in the Los Angeles region serving predominantly low-income communities. Shares LAEC's charter-based operating model, college-prep mission, and concentration in LA County.
• Camino Nuevo Charter Academy: Los Angeles-based charter management organization operating TK-12 charter schools serving predominantly Latino and immigrant communities in central and south LA. Comparable on LA charter operating model and mission to serve disadvantaged students.
• iLEAD Schools: California-based nonprofit charter management organization operating TK-12 charter schools with hybrid and project-based learning models. Comparable on California charter operating model and emphasis on alternative learner-centered pedagogy.
• InnerCity Education Foundation (ICEF): Los Angeles-based charter management organization operating multiple charter schools in South LA serving predominantly low-income and minority communities. Comparable on LA geography, charter model, and at-risk youth focus.

Emerging players

• Para Los Niños: Los Angeles-based nonprofit operating charter schools and wraparound services for children and youth facing poverty, homelessness, and family instability. Comparable on serving high-acuity LA youth populations with integrated education and social services.

Others

• LA Conservation Corps: Long-standing LA-based nonprofit providing conservation job training and wraparound services for at-risk youth. Co-located at LAEC's South LA and Pico-Union campuses and a core strategic partner; comparable on mission but is a service partner rather than school operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/laedcorps
• Facebookfacebook.com/laedcorps

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Los Angeles Education Corps