What LAYC Career Academy Public Charter School does

LAYC Career Academy Public Charter School (LAYCCA) is a tuition-free adult public charter school operating in Washington, District of Columbia, serving out-of-school youth and young adults ages 16-30. Founded as an initiative of the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), the school delivers five interconnected academic pathways: an Information Technology program (preparing students for certifications including IC3 Digital Literacy, CompTIA A+, and Microsoft Office Specialist), an 880-hour Medical Assistant program (720 classroom hours plus a 160-hour externship), a College Pathway program offering up to six free college credits through dual enrollment with Bard College and the University of the District of Columbia Community College, a GED preparation program, and an English Language Learner (ELL) program. Instruction is delivered via a hybrid model combining on-site classes at the 3224 16th Street NW campus with online options, supported by a personalized, self-paced learning architecture.

The school operates as a Community School under partnership with LAYC and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), providing comprehensive wraparound student support services at no cost — including health insurance, dental and mental health care, transportation assistance, housing assistance, food pantry access, and childcare support. Reported outcomes include 95% of students working or enrolled in college within six months of graduation, more than 450 IT certifications earned over the prior two years, 90% of students attempting college credits successfully earning them, and a 50% average wage increase for Medical Assistant graduates from pre-enrollment to employment.

Revenue is generated through DC public charter per-pupil allocations as the primary stream, supplemented by federal and local government grants (including OSSE community schools funding and DOES Career Connections stipends) and private philanthropy via donations. The school employs approximately 29 staff across academic, program-directorship, student support, and operational functions, and is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by former LAYC CEO Lori Kaplan. Recruitment relies on community-led go-to-market motion: direct outreach, DOES referrals, word-of-mouth, and partner referrals, with rolling admissions year-round.

Name

LAYC Career Academy Public Charter School

Legal name

LAYC Career Academy Public Charter School

Website

https://laycca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LAYC Career Academy is a tuition-free DC public charter school serving out-of-school youth ages 16-30 with five pathways (IT, Medical Assistant, College, GED, ELL) and comprehensive wraparound support services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Charter School Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (61), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), GED/HiSET Preparation & Instruction (EDAAABAA)

Keywords

• Adult charter school
• GED preparation programs
• Career training certification
• Medical assistant training
• IT certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Funding: As a DC Public Charter School, LAYC Career Academy receives per-pupil allocation from the District of Columbia government based on student enrollment. This is the primary revenue stream supporting school operations.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Federal and local government grants supporting workforce development, adult education, and community school programming. Includes support from Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for community schools strategy.
3. Private Philanthropy: Donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations supporting the school's mission. The school actively fundraises through direct donations, monthly recurring donations, and in-kind gifts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LAYC Career Academy is a tuition-free public charter school that delivers secondary-education completion (GED), industry-recognized certifications (IT and Medical Assistant), dual-enrollment college credits, and English language instruction to District of Columbia residents ages 16-30. All academic programs are bundled with wraparound Student Support Services including health insurance, dental and mental health care, transportation, housing, and childcare assistance. The school operates in partnership with the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).

Product overview

LAYC Career Academy is a tuition-free adult charter school providing a unified educational platform for youth ages 16-30 in Washington, D.C. The school offers five interconnected programs: the Information Technology (IT) Program for tech career certification, the Medical Assistant Program for healthcare training, the College Pathway Program for dual enrollment college credits, the GED Program for high school credential completion, and the ELL Program for English language learners. All programs are supported by comprehensive Student Support Services providing free health insurance, dental care, mental health services, transportation, housing assistance, and food access. Programs can be pursued concurrently—for example, students may enroll in Medical Assistant or IT training while simultaneously earning college credits through the College Pathway. All services are provided at no cost to students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Information Technology (IT) Program Career training program preparing students ages 16-30 for IT careers as computer technicians. Students earn industry-recognized certifications including IC3 GS6 Digital Literacy, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and Microsoft credentials, and receive assistance with externship and job placement.
• Medical Assistant Program 880-hour clinical and administrative healthcare training program (720 classroom hours plus 160 externship hours) preparing students ages 16-30 for entry-level medical assistant positions. Includes medical terminology, diagnostic procedures, administrative processes, hands-on clinical skills, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification preparation.
• College Pathway Program Dual enrollment program allowing students ages 16-30 to earn up to six free college credits through partnerships with Bard College (Clemente program) and the University of the District of Columbia Community College. Students complete college coursework in subjects such as Humanities, English Composition, and College Algebra at no cost and may pursue the program concurrently with IT or Medical Assistant training.
• GED Program Free preparation program for the GED certificate available in English or Spanish, with daily tutoring sessions and financial assistance for exam fees. Designed for DC residents ages 16-30 seeking to earn a high school credential.
• ELL (English Language Learner) Program English language instruction program focused on workplace and college readiness, covering grammar, vocabulary, academic note-taking, reading strategies, and English composition for immigrant students and English learners ages 16-30.
• Student Support Services Comprehensive wraparound support services for enrolled students ages 16-30, provided free of charge. Includes health insurance, dental care, mental health services, vision screenings, transportation assistance, housing assistance, food pantry access, and childcare support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of LAYCCA students are working or in college within six months of graduation
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bard CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual Enrollment Program partnership enabling LAYCCA students to earn free college credits through Bard College Clemente program. Students take courses at no cost as part of College Pathway program.
• University of the District of Columbia Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual Enrollment Program partnership through which students earn up to 6 free college credits. Students take courses including Humanities, English Composition, College Algebra, and other subjects at no cost.
• DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) Career ConnectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork readiness program partnership providing training and stipends to out-of-school youth. Career Academy has grown partnership to over 100 students in past two years. Partnership renewed through 2023. Students receive work experience, skills training, and individualized coaching.
• Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAYC is the founding organization of LAYC Career Academy. Community schools strategy partnership coordinates educational, developmental, family, and health programs through LAYC's network of youth and family services.
• Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Schools partnership funding through OSSE supports the community schools strategy at LAYCCA, providing resources for student support services and coordinated health and wellness programs.
• Me & YouminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit organization founded by Kim Chi Ha and Ivana Lee providing technology, hygiene supplies, groceries, and support for students and families in need. Formed from Valentine's Day project serving over 1,000 youth and people experiencing homelessness.
• BixalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunications, design and technology firm led by Co-Founder/CEO Carla Briceno that developed LAYC Career Academy's website as a volunteer project. Team of over 90 digital strategists, UX professionals, visual designers, and technologists.
• Ana G. Méndez University (SUAGM)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity that hired LAYCCA IT student Tatiana Contreras as IT Support Specialist intern. Provided remote supervision from Orlando while she supported campus staff and students with hardware/software issues and technology upgrades.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International (workforce programs): Operates one of the largest networks of nonprofit workforce development and adult education programs in the US, including IT and healthcare training. Comparable adult CTE offerings but at much greater scale and broader scope than LAYCCA.
• Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC of America): National nonprofit network providing adult education, vocational training, and workforce development to underserved populations. Comparable career-pathway model serving similar demographics, though at national scale.

Direct peers

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing tuition-free workforce training in IT and business for young adults ages 18-30 from low-income communities. Highly comparable to LAYCCA's adult CTE mission, employer partnerships, and wraparound supports, but operates at much larger national scale.
• Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School: DC adult public charter school focused on ESOL, GED, and IT/career training for immigrant and low-income adults. Closest direct competitor to LAYCCA in DC for adult learners, dual enrollment, and industry credentials.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit offering tuition-free IT certification training (CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+) to adults from underserved communities. Closely comparable to LAYCCA's IT pathway, employer-driven curriculum, and job-placement model.
• YouthBuild USA: National nonprofit providing education, job training (construction and growing CTE pathways), and wraparound supports for opportunity youth ages 16-24. Directly comparable mission and target demographic to LAYCCA.

Regional players

• KIPP DC: Network of public charter schools in Washington, DC serving primarily K-12 students. Comparable as a DC charter operator and per-pupil funded non-profit, though serving a younger age band than LAYCCA.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington (workforce programs): Regional nonprofit providing adult education, ESOL, GED, and job training in Washington DC. Comparable DC-based wraparound model and target population including immigrants and low-income adults.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/layc-career-academy-public-charter-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 LAYC Career Academy Public Charter School