Design39Campus

What Design39Campus does

Design39Campus is a public K-8 school operated by the Poway Unified School District (PUSD), located at 17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd in northern San Diego County, California. Founded in 2014, the school serves K-8 students and their families residing within PUSD boundaries and operates as a collaborative learning community centered on a design thinking methodology, project-based learning, and inquiry-based curriculum. The school's core technology and pedagogical framework integrates STEM instruction through the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, school-wide design thinking practices, and a combined library/technology hub called The LOFT. Additional programmatic offerings include 39XDesign (design-focused collaborative projects), AVID college-readiness, BRIDGE-ESS transitional support, Preschool, 6th Grade Camp, Music/Band, Counseling Services, and after-school Student Enrichment clubs managed through The Collaborative, a parent-run enrichment organization.

The school's technology infrastructure is modest and administrative rather than proprietary: Edlio powers the website and content management system, and ClassLink's MyPlan (via Launchpad) serves as the student portal. The institution has no mobile app, no API platform, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. The school differentiates through pedagogy and community rather than technology products, and the technology stack reflects standard K-12 SaaS procurement rather than in-house development.

Design39Campus does not operate as a commercial enterprise. It charges no tuition and generates no direct revenue from students or families. As a public school within PUSD, it is funded through state education funding, local property taxes, and federal education grants, channeled through the parent district. Enrollment is managed through the standard PUSD public school enrollment process. The school has received external recognitions including the 2025 ERP Honor Roll, 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, and 2026 Niche rankings, and is positioned as a flagship innovative school within the 41-school PUSD network.

Name

Design39Campus

Legal name

Design39Campus

Website

https://design39campus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Design39Campus is a public K-8 school within the Poway Unified School District in San Diego, California, serving district families with a design thinking and project-based learning curriculum that includes Project Lead the Way STEM programs, AVID college-readiness, and a parent-run enrichment organization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a public school within Poway Unified School District, Design39Campus is funded through a combination of state education funding, local property taxes, and federal education grants. No direct revenue is generated from students or families for core educational services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Design39Campus is a tuition-free public K-8 school that delivers in-person education for preschool through 8th grade within the Poway Unified School District. Its offering centers on a design thinking-based curriculum supported by STEM instruction, a library and technology hub (The LOFT), college-readiness support (AVID), transitional programs, arts, counseling, and after-school enrichment. Educational services are delivered directly to enrolled students and their families at a single campus in northern San Diego County.

Product overview

Design39Campus is a public K-8 school within the Poway Unified School District that offers a design thinking-based educational approach. The school provides a portfolio of educational programs and services including The LOFT (library and technology hub), AVID college-readiness program, Project Lead the Way STEM curriculum, 39XDesign design thinking program, BRIDGE-ESS transitional support, 6th Grade Camp outdoor education, Music/Band instruction, Counseling Services, Preschool, and Student Enrichment clubs. These programs work together as a unified educational experience centered on design thinking, creative confidence, global connectivity, and technology-enhanced learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The LOFT (Library and Technology) A combined library and technology learning space that serves as a campus resource hub for K-8 students, providing access to digital tools, reading materials, and technology support services.
• AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) A college-readiness program that helps students develop academic skills, organizational habits, and learning strategies to prepare for success in higher education. Targeted at K-8 students, particularly in middle school grades.
• Project Lead the Way (PLTW) A hands-on STEM curriculum program that engages K-8 students in problem-based learning across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including PLTW Launch for elementary and gateway courses for middle school.
• 39XDesign A design-focused program that teaches K-8 students design thinking principles and practices through collaborative project-based learning, central to the school's pedagogical identity.
• BRIDGE-ESS A transitional support program that helps K-8 students adjust and succeed academically during key school transition periods (such as entry to middle school).
• 6th Grade Camp An outdoor education experience for sixth-grade students that builds teamwork, independence, and appreciation for nature.
• Music / Band A music education program offering instrumental instruction and ensemble performance opportunities for K-8 students.
• Counseling Services Academic and emotional support services delivered by school counselors to help K-8 students navigate personal and educational challenges.
• Preschool Program Early childhood education program serving young learners prior to kindergarten entry as part of the school's pre-K to 8 educational continuum.
• Student Enrichment After-school clubs and enrichment activities that provide K-8 students with opportunities to explore interests beyond the standard curriculum, managed through The Collaborative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Poway Unified School District recognized for exceptional student achievement with multiple schools earning statewide recognition

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Poway Unified School DistrictcoreOthersDesign39Campus is operated by Poway Unified School District. PUSD is a national leader in K-12 public education operating 41 schools in San Diego and Poway cities. The district provides administrative support, funding, curriculum guidance, and operational infrastructure for the school.
• EdliocoreTechnology or IntegrationEdlio provides the school's website platform and content management system. The website is powered by Edlio, which enables the school to manage pages, events, news, and parent communications through their Edlio School platform.
• ClassLinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationClassLink provides the MyPlan student portal used by students and staff for accessing educational technology tools and resources. MyPlan is accessed through Launchpad.ClassLink.com.
• Project Lead the WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Lead the Way is an integrated STEM curriculum partner providing project-based learning programs. The school offers PLTW programs including Launch for elementary students and gateway courses for middle school students.
• The CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Collaborative is a parent-run enrichment organization supporting Design39Campus through volunteer programs, enrichment clubs, student activities, and fundraising support. They also manage the donation process and student enrichment programs.
• AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVID is an educational college-readiness program implemented at the school to help students develop academic skills and preparation for higher education.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Design Tech High School: Bay Area design-focused public charter high school with project-based learning and design thinking at its core. Closest peer on pedagogical positioning despite serving older grades.
• BASIS Charter Schools: National K-12 charter network with STEM-heavy curriculum and accelerated pacing. Comparable as tuition-free public schools competing for the same STEM-oriented family segment.
• Green Dot Public Schools: Public charter school network operating in California with college-prep focus and small-school model. Comparable as tuition-free public schools targeting similar demographics in overlapping California markets.
• Summit Public Schools: California-based charter K-12 network with personalized learning, design-thinking integration, and project-based curriculum. Directly comparable pedagogy and operating geography.
• Aspire Public Schools: California-headquartered charter K-12 network with college-prep emphasis and STEM/programmatic differentiation. Comparable operating geography (California) and tuition-free public school model.
• High Tech High: San Diego-based K-12 charter network with a project-based, design-thinking pedagogy. Operates in the same metro and targets the same family demographic seeking innovative STEM/design schooling.
• KIPP Public Schools: National K-12 charter network with rigorous college-prep focus and project-based learning. Comparable target market (college-bound families) and structural similarity as a tuition-free public school of choice.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/design39campus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt6sAX_3Kzo4ZxuLJ0r1dww
• Facebookfacebook.com/Design39Campus
• Instagraminstagram.com/powayunified
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/design39campus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Design39Campus