Pacific Autism Center For Education

What Pacific Autism Center For Education does

Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded in 1989 in Santa Clara, California, delivering a full lifespan continuum of services for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its core programs include PACE School (a WASC-accredited Non-Public Special Education school serving elementary through postsecondary students), Sunny Days Preschool (an inclusive preschool for children ages 2.5-6), Faces ABA Behavioral Services (Applied Behavior Analysis therapy), Residential Services (group homes such as Mahalo House for adults with autism), and Porchlight Autism Education Series (a free online e-learning platform with 50+ modules for parents and caregivers). Service delivery is human-intensive, relying on an integrated multidisciplinary team of BCBAs, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and special education teachers.

Underlying technology is clinical and educational rather than software-driven. The core methodology is Applied Behavior Analysis, supported by specialized teaching, speech and language development, occupational therapy, and behavior management. Porchlight represents the only technology product—a self-serve e-learning content library accessible globally at porchlighteducation.org—but no AI/ML, APIs, or proprietary software platforms are disclosed in the operating model.

The business model is a hybrid of government contract revenue and charitable fundraising. Primary funding flows from contracts with the San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) for individuals with developmental disabilities and the California Department of Education for NPSE services, supplemented by individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Sobrato Family Foundation, eASIC Corporation, Sharks Foundation/Kaiser Permanente, HollyRod Foundation, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Intero Real Estate Foundation, United Way Silicon Valley), and special-events fundraising (Golf Classic, Tapas & Tunes, Lawn Party). Services are delivered directly at four Bay Area campuses in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and San Jose; specific pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Pacific Autism Center For Education

Legal name

Pacific Autism Center for Education

Website

https://pacificautism.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) is a 501c(3) non-profit founded in 1989 in Santa Clara, California, providing a lifespan continuum of autism services—special education school, inclusive preschool, ABA therapy, adult residential care, and free online parent education—to Bay Area individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services for Autism

NAICS

Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Assistive Technology & Learning Tools (Educational) (EDAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Applied behavior analysis
• Autism therapy programs
• Residential group homes
• Inclusive preschool services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Regional Center Funding: Primary revenue from contracts with the San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) and funding from the California Department of Education to provide educational, residential, and behavioral services for individuals with autism.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Donations from individuals, household supporters, corporations, and foundations. PACE is a 501c(3) non-profit organization (Tax-EIN #77-0259858).
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from various foundations including Sobrato Family Foundation ($102,500), eASIC Corporation ($50,000), Sharks Foundation/Kaiser Permanente ($50,000), Intero Real Estate Foundation, HollyRod Foundation, NBCUniversal/Comcast Foundation ($10,000), and others.
4. Special Events Fundraising: Annual events including the Golf Classic (10th annual raised over $28k), Tapas & Tunes events, and Lawn Party fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) provides a continuum of educational, therapeutic, residential, and support services for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities, from early childhood through adulthood. Its core programs include a non-public special education school, an inclusive preschool, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) behavioral therapy, adult group home residential services, and a free online e-learning platform for parents and caregivers.

Product overview

Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) operates as a multi-program service provider offering a continuum of care for individuals with autism across their lifespan. The organization provides five core programs: PACE School (a non-public special education school), Sunny Days Preschool (inclusive early childhood education), Faces ABA Behavioral Services (Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for children), Residential Services (group home support for adults), and Porchlight Autism Education Series (free online e-learning for parents/caregivers). These programs work together as an integrated service model, with specialists in speech and language development, occupational therapy, behavior management, and special education instruction working as a team to serve students, residents, and clients. PACE was established in 1989 and is a 501c(3) non-profit organization based in Santa Clara, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PACE School A non-public special education school providing elementary and high school/postsecondary education for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities, delivered at the Pruneridge Campus (Santa Clara) and San Aleso Campus (Sunnyvale).
• Sunny Days Preschool An inclusive preschool program serving children ages 2.5 to 6, supporting children on the autism spectrum, neuro-typical children, and those needing extra support, located at 897 Broadleaf Lane, San Jose.
• Faces ABA Behavioral Services Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) behavioral therapy services for children with autism, supporting them in reaching their full potential through BCBAs and RBTs, with intake at 408.785.0102.
• Residential Services Group home services providing residential support for adults living with autism, including the Mahalo House, offering around-the-clock support for daily living and community integration.
• Porchlight Autism Education Series A free online e-learning resource for parents and caregivers of individuals with autism, offering over 50 modules covering behavioral strategies, social stories, eating challenges, holiday planning, and other topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Student success in developing independence and life skills through individualized education and therapy programs

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• San Andreas Regional Center (SARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funding and referral partner for PACE services. San Andreas Regional Center provides regional center funding and coordination for individuals with developmental disabilities, serving as the primary funding source for many PACE programs.
• California Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment education funding and regulatory partner supporting PACE School programs as a Non-Public Special Education provider.
• Cupertino RotarymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner that built and assembled an obstacle course at PACE facilities, demonstrating ongoing volunteer and community support for PACE programs.
• Animal Assisted HappinessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing animal-assisted activities and programs for PACE students and residents.
• Santa Clara Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional business organization that recognized PACE as Member of the Month in December 2013, supporting business networking and community connections.
• Family Giving TreeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing support for PACE programs and families.
• HandsOn Bay AreaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity volunteer organization partnering with PACE for volunteer support.
• Rebuilding Together Silicon ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting PACE facility improvements and renovations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LEARN Behavioral: National ABA services network providing center-based and in-home therapy for children with autism, overlapping with PACE's Faces program and inclusive preschool approach.
• Behavioral Innovations: ABA therapy provider for children with autism operating across multiple states with a center-based delivery model similar to PACE's campus-based service structure.
• Easterseals Bay Area: Non-profit disability services organization offering autism education, ABA therapy, and adult services in the same Bay Area geography with overlapping program types to PACE.
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): One of the largest ABA therapy providers in the U.S., directly comparable to PACE's Faces ABA Behavioral Services in core methodology, target population, and California footprint.
• Kadiant: California-focused ABA therapy provider serving children with autism, directly comparable to PACE's Faces ABA Behavioral Services in target market and clinical approach.
• Autism Learning Partners: California-based ABA provider serving children and families across the autism spectrum with a similar multidisciplinary clinical model to PACE's Faces services.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Non-profit provider of residential, educational, and behavioral health services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, structurally similar to PACE's continuum-of-care model.

Emerging players

• Lighthouse Autism Center: ABA therapy provider with a center-based model focused on children with autism, with overlapping clinical methodology but more limited geographic footprint than PACE.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Society of America: Large national non-profit providing autism advocacy, resources, and education; comparable to PACE's broader mission and parent-education focus, though not a direct service provider.
• TEACCH Program (University of North Carolina): Established evidence-based program for autism education and structured teaching; comparable to PACE School's specialized teaching methodology though delivered through university clinics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/kurtohlfs
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Pacific-Autism-Center-for-Education/118345410431
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-autism-center-for-education
• Instagraminstagram.com/pacificautismce
• Xx.com/PacificAutismCE

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Pacific Autism Center For Education