Carlthorp School
Carlthorp School is the oldest independent coeducational K-6 day school in Santa Monica, California, founded in 1939. It serves Westside Los Angeles families with private elementary education combining academics, character development, athletics, and service learning.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1939
- HeadquartersSanta Monica, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Carlthorp School does
Carlthorp School is an independent, coeducational K-6 day school located at 438 San Vicente Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. Founded in 1939, it is the oldest independent coeducational day school for grades K-6 in Santa Monica and serves families from the city and surrounding Westside Los Angeles communities. The school delivers a comprehensive academic curriculum spanning Language Arts, Mathematics, Science & Innovation, Spanish, Physical Education, Library, Art, Music, and Information Technology, supplemented by an after-school program of clubs (Theatre Ensemble, Robotics, Debate), competitive athletics in the Coastal Canyon League, and service learning integrated into grade-level curricula.
The school's technology footprint centers on a 1:1 device program — iPads for K-2 and laptops for grades 3-6 — supported by an Innovation Hub that provides students access to 3D printers, a green screen, videoconferencing, and makerspace materials. Partnerships with organizations such as The Social Institute (social media literacy), Carnegie Hall Link Up Program (music performance), KidUnity (Washington D.C. advocacy trips), and various community service organizations (Upward Bound House, Inclusion Matters, Heal the Bay) extend the program's curricular reach. The school maintains branded student publications including The Clarion literary magazine (since 1983) and El Mundo Spanish magazine.
Carlthorp operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Trustees, with tuition as the primary revenue stream covering approximately 82% of the cost of education. The remaining ~18% is funded through the Annual Fund (tax-deductible charitable gifts), the annual Scholarship Benefit and Auction, and corporate matching gift programs. The admissions process is highly personalized — inquiry forms, student-led campus tours (conducted by 4th-6th grade ambassadors), and 45-minute parent interviews with an Admissions Committee — reflecting a sales-led, relationship-driven enrollment model typical of selective independent schools. Leadership includes Head of School Nola-rae Cronan, Associate Head of School Steve Springer, Director of Admissions Steve Milich, and Director of Advancement Alan Ball.
Carlthorp School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carlthorp School
- Legal name
- Carlthorp School
- Website
- https://carlthorp.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1939
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Carlthorp School is the oldest independent coeducational K-6 day school in Santa Monica, California, founded in 1939. It serves Westside Los Angeles families with private elementary education combining academics, character development, athletics, and service learning.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carlthorp School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private K-6 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Waldorf/Steiner K–12 Schools (EDAJABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB)
Keywords
Where Carlthorp School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Monica
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carlthorp School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for K-6 private school education. While tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed, the school states that tuition covers approximately 82% of the cost of education.
- Annual Fund: Primary fundraising focus each fall, representing a vital component of the operating budget. Tax-deductible gifts to the Annual Fund supplement tuition to cover the remaining ~18% of educational costs.
- Scholarship Benefit and Auction: Spring event where families enjoy dinner and auction. 100% of net proceeds benefit the school's scholarship program. Families participate by purchasing tickets, donating auction items, or underwriting portions of the event.
- Matching Gifts: Corporate matching gift programs where more than 23,000 companies participate, potentially doubling or tripling donations to the school.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Tuition-based private school |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Carlthorp School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carlthorp School is an independent coeducational day school serving students in grades K-6 at a single campus in Santa Monica, California. The school provides a comprehensive elementary curriculum spanning Language Arts, Mathematics, Science & Innovation, Spanish, Physical Education, Library, Art, Music, and Information Technology, supplemented by after-school clubs, competitive athletics, and curriculum-embedded service learning. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funding operations primarily through tuition (covering ~82% of costs) and Annual Fund donations.
Product overview
Carlthorp School offers a unified private K-6 educational program with complementary co-curricular activities. The core academic program spans Language Arts, Mathematics, Science & Innovation, Spanish, Physical Education, Library, Art, Music, and Information Technology. The school supplements academics with after-school clubs (Theatre Ensemble, Chorus, Orchestra, Robotics, Debate), athletics (Fall/Winter/Spring sports), and service learning projects. Notable named programs include The Clarion literary magazine and El Mundo Spanish magazine. Cultural celebrations rotate tri-annually including International Day, STEM Day, and Celebrate the Arts. The school uses Blackbaud/myschoolapp.com for school management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- K-6 Academic Program
- After-School Clubs
Companies that use Carlthorp School
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Carlthorp School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Carlthorp School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Our Big Kitchen Los AngelescoreHost venue for inaugural Alumni Community Service Night where approximately 60 alumni, parents, faculty, and staff prepared 400 meals for people who are unhoused or experiencing food insecurity in the Los Angeles region.
- Upward Bound Housecore3rd grade students visit the transitional housing shelter and participate in school-wide fundraising for the Adopt an Apartment program, purchasing household items to furnish apartments for families moving in.
- Inclusion Matters by Shane's Inspirationcore6th grade students learn about and interact with students from special education schools, developing compassion, awareness, and acceptance through inclusive play experiences.
- PILA (Pedagogical Institute of Los Angeles)corePartnership to create El Mundo Spanish Magazine, with copies sent to Canyon Nest serving migrant children in Tijuana awaiting resettlement. Collaborative effort between Spanish Department, Art Department, and Library team.
- The Nest in TijuanacorePlay and imagination-based preschool for children of migrants awaiting resettlement. Carlthorp students create stories, illustrations, and Spanish language magazine for these children.
- KidUnityminorPartner organization coordinating 6th grade students' advocacy trips to Washington D.C., connecting students with advocacy groups, politicians, and journalists to discuss community issues.
- Children of War FoundationminorPartnership connecting Carlthorp students with pen pals from School of Dreams in Jordan. Students exchange profiles, letters, and connect via Zoom.
- Access BooksminorPartnership to provide library refurbishments to inner-city schools in LAUSD. Carlthorp families donate nearly-new books over a three-week period.
- Operation GratitudeminorAnnual Halloween Candy Drive where children donate treats along with letters to members of the U.S. Military and First Responders.
- Heal the BayminorSchool has adopted a local beach through Heal the Bay. Students participate in at least three beach cleanup activities per year.
- Sowah MensahminorMaster Drummer from Ghana who leads African Music and Culture residency for grades 4-6, concluding with an all-school performance.
- Carnegie Hall Link Up Programminor3rd grade students participate in the Carnegie Hall Link Up program where they sing, move, and play recorder with a live symphony orchestra.
- First Lego LeagueminorRobotics teams compete in the First Lego League regional competition. Five CS robotics teams competed in December, with coach Andre Morris receiving a coaching award in a competition featuring nearly 30 teams.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Carlthorp School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Turning Point School: Independent day school in Culver City serving grades K-8. Comparable as a private progressive elementary school within close geographic proximity targeting Westside LA families.
- The Buckley School: Independent K-6 (extending through 9) day school in Sherman Oaks serving Westside LA families. Highly comparable as a private coed elementary with similar tuition model, academic rigor, and admissions-driven enrollment process.
- Curtis School: Independent K-6 day school in Los Angeles serving Westside families. Directly comparable as a K-6 private coeducational day school with athletics, arts, and similar tuition model.
- Mirman School: Independent K-8 school for gifted learners in West Los Angeles. Comparable as a private day school targeting academically advanced Westside LA families with similar enrichment focus.
- The Willows Community School: Independent K-8 school in Culver City with project-based learning focus. Comparable as a smaller private day school serving Westside LA families seeking progressive educational approaches.
- Vistamar School: Independent 9-12 day school in El Segundo, with feeders from local K-8 schools. Comparable as a private day school serving Westside LA families with project-based curriculum.
- Brentwood School: Independent K-12 day school in Brentwood serving overlapping Westside LA catchment. Comparable as a private coeducational day school with athletics, arts, and signature service learning programming.
- Crossroads School: Independent K-12 day school in Santa Monica serving the same Westside LA families. Direct competitor for elementary admissions with comparable tuition band and community-service-driven programming.
- Windward School: Independent K-12 day school in Mar Vista/Playa Vista serving Westside LA families. Directly comparable on grade span, tuition model, and academic-co-curricular integration approach.
Broad incumbents
- Harvard-Westlake School: Large independent 7-12 day school with two Westside campuses, drawing graduates from Carlthorp and similar K-6 feeders. Relevant as a key secondary destination for Carlthorp alumni and as a broader competitive benchmark.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carlthorp School social profiles
Digital presenceCarlthorp School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carlthorp School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Carlthorp School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carlthorp School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carlthorp School
What does Carlthorp School do?
Carlthorp School is an independent coeducational day school serving students in grades K-6 at a single campus in Santa Monica, California. The school provides a comprehensive elementary curriculum spanning Language Arts, Mathematics, Science & Innovation, Spanish, Physical Education, Library, Art, Music, and Information Technology, supplemented by after-school clubs, competitive athletics, and curriculum-embedded service learning. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funding operations primarily through tuition (covering ~82% of costs) and Annual Fund donations.
Is Carlthorp School a public or private company?
Carlthorp School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Carlthorp School founded?
Carlthorp School was founded in 1939. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Carlthorp School based?
Carlthorp School is headquartered in Santa Monica, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carlthorp School make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition is the primary driver. The others are annual Fund, scholarship Benefit and Auction and matching Gifts.
Who are Carlthorp School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Turning Point School, The Buckley School, Curtis School, Mirman School, The Willows Community School, Vistamar School, Brentwood School, Crossroads School and Windward School. Harvard-Westlake School is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Carlthorp School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carlthorp School.
What industry is Carlthorp School in?
Carlthorp School's product category is Private K-6 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAE, Waldorf/Steiner K–12 Schools, with a secondary code of EDALAIAB, Club Sports Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.