Foothill Country Day School

What Foothill Country Day School does

Foothill Country Day School is a private, non-profit, co-educational independent school serving approximately 444 students across ages 2 through 14 on a single campus in Claremont, California. The school is organized into three divisions: The Seedling School (preschool and transitional kindergarten, ages 2-5), Lower School (Kindergarten through Grade 5), and Upper School (Grades 6-8). It was founded in 1954 by Howell Webb and is currently led by its fifth Head of School, Mike Silva (appointed 2011), under a Board of Trustees governance structure. Academic programs include a Singapore Math-based curriculum, Readers and Writers Workshop, specialist-taught subjects (science, music, art, PE, technology, Spanish), and an 8-day rotation schedule in the Upper School, with enrichment in the Foothill Orchestra and Speech & Debate programs.

The school's underlying technology stack comprises established third-party EdTech and operational platforms rather than proprietary systems: Schoology (LMS), PowerSchool (student information system), STAR Renaissance (assessments), Clarity (financial aid), FACTS (tuition processing), ProCare (childcare management), SeeSaw (student portfolio), PikMyKid (dismissal management), Bright Arrow (emergency notifications), and Finalsite (communications and enrollment). The school also uses educational content apps such as Splash Learn, Epic, Prodigy, and Code.org, and integrates with Square for its Nest Store uniform/merchandise sales.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition ($30,160 for K-8 in the 2026-2027 academic year, plus grade-level fees ranging from $1,270 to $2,450) collected via FACTS payment plans, supplemented by auxiliary program fees (extended day, enrichment, summer), the annual Foothill Fund, the Spring Gala, capital campaigns (including a Campus Master Plan), and modest facility rentals. Approximately 25% of students receive need-based financial assistance funded by a Board commitment exceeding $1 million annually. The school is accredited by CAIS, WASC, and NAEYC, and holds memberships with EARCOS and the International Baccalaureate organization, with strong high school matriculation outcomes including acceptances to Phillips Exeter, Thacher, Cate, Polytechnic, Webb Schools, and other selective institutions.

Name

Foothill Country Day School

Legal name

Foothill Country Day School

Website

https://foothillcds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Foothill Country Day School is a non-profit, independent preschool-through-8th-grade school in Claremont, California, serving approximately 444 students via its Seedling School, Lower School (K-5), and Upper School (6-8) divisions, with revenue from tuition, auxiliary programs, and philanthropic giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Independent Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA), Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers (EDACAHAB)

Keywords

• Private elementary education
• Independent school education
• Preschool early childhood
• Middle school programs
• K-8 academic curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Claremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition charges. For the 2026-2027 academic year, kindergarten through 8th grade tuition is $30,160 per year. Preschool tuition varies by days of attendance. Additional grade-level fees range from $1,270 (K-2) to $2,450 (6-8).
2. Financial Assistance Fundraising: The Board of Trustees commits over $1 million annually toward financial assistance for TK-8 students. This is an institutional cost, not a revenue stream. Funds are raised to subsidize tuition for approximately 25% of the student body.
3. FACTS Payment Plans: All families are required to create an online FACTS account for tuition and fee processing. The school offers 1-payment, 2-payment, and 10-month payment plans, generating administrative convenience and potential processing fees.
4. Auxiliary Programs (Extended Day, Enrichment, Summer): Revenue from extended day care, enrichment classes, and summer programs (Summer Debate Week, Summer at Seedling, vacation camp). These are supervised by the Director of Auxiliary Programs. Financial assistance extends to these auxiliary programs as well.
5. Annual Giving and Capital Campaigns: The Foothill Fund is the school's annual giving program. Additional fundraising includes the Spring Gala and capital campaigns (such as the Campus Master Plan, fully funded by current and alumni family gifts).
6. Campus Facility Rentals: The school offers discounted facility rentals of its auditorium, gym, and classrooms to local non-profit organizations as part of community engagement, generating modest ancillary revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Foothill Country Day School is a private, independent, non-profit day school delivering preschool through 8th grade education through three divisions: The Seedling School (ages 2-5), Lower School (K-Grade 5), and Upper School (Grades 6-8). The school sells tuition-based academic instruction, before- and after-school extended day care, enrichment classes, summer programs, and parent education services, anchored by a Singapore Math curriculum, Readers and Writers Workshop literacy model, and an 8-day rotation schedule in the upper grades.

Product overview

Foothill Country Day School offers a unified preschool through 8th grade educational program organized into three divisions: The Seedling School (preschool, ages 2-5 including Transitional Kindergarten), Lower School (Kindergarten-Grade 5), and Upper School (Grades 6-8). The academic program features specialist-taught subjects including science, art, music, physical education, technology, library skills, and Spanish, with a Singapore Math-based curriculum. The school supplements its core academic divisions with enrichment programs including after school enrichment classes, summer programs, and ParentED parent education, all designed to develop leaders through academics, character, and service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Seedling School (Preschool and TK) Early childhood education program for children ages 2-5, including a two-year Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program that serves as a bridge to kindergarten. Provides play-based learning, social skills development, school readiness preparation, and NAEYC-accredited instruction for preschool and pre-kindergarten families.
• Lower School (Kindergarten - Grade 5) Elementary education program for Kindergarten through Grade 5 focusing on core academics (reading, writing, math) using Singapore Math and Readers and Writers Workshop, with specialist instruction in science, art, music, PE, technology, library skills, and Spanish. Targeted at families seeking a strong academic foundation for children ages 5-11 with small class sizes rarely exceeding 20 students.
• Upper School (Grades 6-8) Middle school program for Grades 6-8 with subject-specific teachers, an 8-day rotation schedule, Spanish instruction, advisory program, elective arts block, and outdoor education opportunities. Includes individualized high school admissions counseling that has produced acceptances to over 50 selective private high schools worldwide.
• After School Enrichment and Extended Day Care Extended day care and enrichment programs including after school sports, co-curricular activities, and extended day programs for preschool through 8th grade. Provides supervised care and enrichment opportunities before and after the regular school day for working families.
• Summer Programs Summer programs including Summer Debate Week, preschool summer sessions, and Summer at Seedling School, designed to extend learning and childcare beyond the academic year for enrolled and prospective Foothill families.
• ParentED Parent Education Program Parent education program featuring events, the Foothill Forum speaker series, the ParentEd Blog, and an annual High School Fair, designed to support parent learning and engagement with the Foothill community.
• Financial Assistance Program Need-based financial assistance program for TK-8 students, with awards ranging from $1,000 to near-full tuition, supported by more than $1 million committed annually by the Board of Trustees. Approximately 25% of the student body receives aid, administered through the Clarity application platform with IRS verification.
• The Nest Store (Uniforms and Merchandise) Online store selling school uniforms and branded merchandise to current and prospective families, powered by Square e-commerce.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 high school acceptances worldwide for Foothill graduates under Dean of Students tenure.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Partner School in Ndeiya Valley, KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenya Club, an afterschool club for grades 4-8, raises money throughout the year via bake sales and 'Buddy up for Change' coin drives to support a partner school in the Ndeiya Valley in Kenya. Current focus is on purchasing goats to teach financial independence to local youth. This is a long-standing, multi-year community service partnership that is central to Foothill's service learning program.
• Foothill Family SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoothill Family Shelter is the primary beneficiary of the school-wide Bounty of Blessings program. Each fall, families donate designated items by grade (preschool laundry items, K-5 household/personal items, 6-8 breakfast items). A faculty committee decorates buckets and adds personal notes from students. Socktober led by BWO collects hundreds of pairs of socks for Foothill Family Shelter.
• San Antonio Gardens Retirement CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreschool and kindergarten students visit San Antonio Gardens Retirement Community to perform, trick or treat, or do intergenerational craft activities. Grades 7 & 8 provide iPad instruction for seniors at the facility.
• Claremont CollegesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Claremont Colleges for graduate students to conduct research with Foothill students, providing research opportunities for graduate students and enrichment for Foothill students.
• Ten Schools Admission OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTen Schools Admission Organization, a consortium of elite independent schools, presents at Foothill and talks to students about finding the right school for them. This partnership is a key element of Foothill's high school counseling program.
• Art for the Sky (Daniel Dancer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned artist Daniel Dancer conducted a three-day residency with students in September 2024 as part of the 70th anniversary celebration. Students learned about interconnectedness of humanity and environmental sustainability, culminating in a giant living image formed by all students, faculty, and staff on Jeff Nelson Field.
• AstroCampminorStrategic or Co-development Partner5th grade students attend AstroCamp in the local San Bernardino Mountains for outdoor education focused on astronomy and solar system study. Located in the local mountains, this is part of the grade-level travel curriculum.
• Pathfinder RanchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner6th graders travel to Pathfinder Ranch for an overnight trip aligned with their science curriculum, with focus on leadership and team building through horseback riding, canoeing, ropes courses, and archery.
• PALI AdventuresminorStrategic or Co-development Partner7th grade students attend PALI Adventures in the San Bernardino Mountains for a leadership-focused outdoor education trip with ropes courses, zip lines, archery, and other challenges.
• Catalina Island Marine InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner8th graders attend Catalina Island Marine Institute for outdoor education including marine biology study, ocean kayaking, and nighttime snorkeling. This is one of two annual overnight trips for 8th graders.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Polytechnic School: Independent K-6 (with a 7-12 extension via the 'Pathways' program) day school in Pasadena, California. Polytechnic is a CAIS-accredited, nonsectarian independent school serving affluent Southern California families — directly comparable to Foothill in mission, structure, tuition tier, and target demographic.
• Mayfield Junior School: Catholic independent K-8 school in Pasadena, California. Mayfield Junior School is one of the most established private K-8 schools in the San Gabriel Valley and competes directly with Foothill for college-preparatory families in the broader Inland Empire / Pasadena corridor.
• Chandler School: Independent K-8 school in Pasadena, California. Chandler offers a similar nonsectarian, college-preparatory program to Foothill with comparable tuition levels, small class sizes, and a focus on selective high school placement — a direct competitor for the same Southern California family demographic.
• Flintridge Preparatory School: Independent 7-12 college-preparatory school in La Cañada Flintridge, California. While serving older students, Flintridge Prep is a major destination school for Southern California K-8 graduates and shares Foothill's college-prep ethos, CAIS accreditation, and selective college placement record.
• Wildwood School: Independent K-12 school in Los Angeles, California. Wildwood is a nonsectarian, progressive, college-preparatory school with a similar structure to Foothill and comparable family demographic in the broader Los Angeles market.
• Crossroads School: Independent K-12 school in Santa Monica, California. Crossroads is a nonsectarian, college-preparatory school with progressive/progressive-traditional curricular elements, comparable in mission and family demographic to Foothill.
• The Wesley School: Independent K-8 school in North Hollywood, California. Wesley is a CAIS-accredited, nonsectarian independent school with a similar profile to Foothill — small enrollment, college-preparatory focus, and emphasis on character development — competing for Los Angeles-area private school families.
• Curtis School: Independent K-6 day school in Los Angeles, California. Curtis shares Foothill's profile as a nonsectarian, college-prep elementary school with strong arts and enrichment programs and a comparable tuition tier.
• The Buckley School: Independent K-12 school in Sherman Oaks, California. Buckley is a well-established nonsectarian independent school with similar college-preparatory ethos, strong arts and athletics programs, and a comparable family demographic to Foothill.

Regional players

• The Webb Schools: Independent boarding and day school (grades 9-12) in Claremont, California. The Webb Schools share Claremont geography with Foothill and were founded by the same Webb family (Howell Webb founded Foothill after working at Webb); Webb is a natural high school destination for Foothill graduates and the closest geographic peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/FCDSFalcons
• Facebookfacebook.com/FoothillCountryDaySchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foothill-country-day-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/foothillcds

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Foothill Country Day School