Mission Dolores Academy

What Mission Dolores Academy does

Mission Dolores Academy is an independent Catholic K-8 school located at 3371 16th Street in San Francisco's historic Mission District, founded in 2011 and operating as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit (EIN: 20-2849575). The school serves 138 students with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and 36 employees, providing a Common Core Standards-based core academic program in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies, supplemented by Religious Education, weekly Spanish instruction, a Wellness Program (mental health, speech pathology, nutrition), Athletics through the CYO league, and an After School Program (Tiger Tales) at $160 per month. Its differentiated product surface includes a structured Literacy Program grounded in the Science of Reading, an Academic Intervention Department (AID) for at-risk learners, and a High School Counseling and Mentoring Program that feeds 8th graders into competitive Bay Area private and Catholic high schools (27 graduates from the Class of 2025 were accepted to schools including Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, Notre Dame Belmont, ICA Cristo Rey Academy, San Francisco University High School, Drew, Urban School, and Bay School).

The school deploys a 1:1 iPad technology layer integrated with licensed adaptive learning platforms — Lexia Core 5, Reflex Math, GraphoGame, Prodigy, and Learning Ally — alongside Apple TVs, Epson projectors, and document cameras in each classroom. Core operational partnerships include the UCSF Dyslexia Center for assessment, the SFUSD Private/Parochial Assessment Department for learning-difference evaluations, the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco for off-site aftercare, and Choice Lunch (since 2021) for app-based meal service. The school holds WCEA and WASC accreditations and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (2026).

The business model is a hybrid tuition-plus-philanthropy construct. Tuition is the primary recurring revenue stream, but 87% of students qualify for tuition assistance at an average scholarship of $2,230, which structurally limits net tuition yield and makes fundraising and donations a critical second revenue pillar. The school operates a dedicated Advancement Office supporting diverse giving vehicles (donor-advised funds, IRA gifts, stock transfers, cryptocurrency, planned giving, matching gifts, in-kind donations), a Young Professionals Committee established in 2019, and annual benefit events. Distribution is single-channel direct enrollment managed through the gradelink application platform and on-campus tours, with no geographic expansion, multi-site operation, or external franchising.

Name

Mission Dolores Academy

Legal name

Mission Dolores Academy

Website

https://mdasf.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mission Dolores Academy is an independent Catholic K-8 school in San Francisco's Mission District serving 138 students with a 15:1 ratio, funded primarily by subsidized tuition (87% on assistance) and philanthropic donations, and differentiated by its Science of Reading literacy program, UCSF-partnered intervention services, and 1:1 iPad adaptive learning integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Catholic Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

After-School & Extended-Day Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAK)

Keywords

• Catholic K-8 education
• Private elementary school
• Tuition assistance program
• Academic intervention services
• College preparatory curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from tuition payments for K-8 education services, with 87% of students qualifying for tuition assistance and average scholarship of $2,230
2. After Care Fees: Monthly after care program (Tiger Tales) at $160/month and Boys and Girls Club option at $160/year
3. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible charitable donations including credit card, check, cash, stock transfers, wire transfers, DAF, cryptocurrency, matching gifts, in-kind donations, planned gifts, IRA gifts, and pledges

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mission Dolores Academy is an independent Catholic K-8 school that delivers a Common Core Standards-based academic program in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies, integrated with religious education, Spanish instruction, wellness services, athletic and arts programs, and an Academic Intervention Department supporting students with learning differences. The school offers after care (Tiger Tales), high school counseling, and a tuition assistance program that supports 87% of its 138-student body.

Product overview

Mission Dolores Academy is an independent Catholic K-8 school offering a unified educational program. The core academic curriculum encompasses Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies, supported by a comprehensive Literacy Program and Academic Intervention Department (AID) for students with learning differences. Beyond core academics, the school provides Religious Education, Spanish Language Instruction, Physical Education, Art, Music/Drama, String Program, Athletics, After School Program (Tiger Tales), High School Counseling, and a Wellness Program. Students utilize technology through 1:1 iPad programs with educational platforms including Lexia Core 5, Reflex Math, GraphoGame, and Prodigy. The school partners with the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco for aftercare and Choice Lunch for nutritious meals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Academic Program Common Core Standards-based K-8 academic program covering critical thinking in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies, with K-4 teachers and interventionists trained in explicit, systematic phonics instruction grounded in the Science of Reading.
• Literacy Program Four-method literacy support structure serving K-8 students: K-8 one-on-one pullout sessions, K-8 small group remediation, K-5 plug-in classroom support, and 6-8 content area study hall. Serves students with skill gaps, language impairment, or learning disabilities.
• Academic Intervention Department (AID) Specialist team providing Reading, Math, and Speech and Language Pathology services that identify at-risk learners and begin research-based interventions starting in Quarter One of Kindergarten. Partners with UCSF Dyslexia Center and SFUSD Private/Parochial Assessment Department.
• Religious Education Daily religion instruction across all grade levels, Sacramental Preparation in 2nd grade (Reconciliation and First Holy Communion) and 8th grade (Confirmation), and biweekly religious services at Mission Dolores Basilica. Open to students of all religious backgrounds.
• Spanish Language Instruction Weekly Spanish instruction taught four days per week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays) with the instructor using Spanish for approximately 90% of class time, including differentiated pathways for native Spanish speakers.
• Wellness Program Comprehensive four-pillar wellness initiative covering mental and emotional health, speech and language pathology, social-emotional learning, and nutrition; staffed by a wellness coordinator and intern counselors available five days a week, with a dedicated Wellness Center for social-emotional support and crisis intervention.
• Tiger Tales After School Program On-campus after care service offering homework help, healthy snacks, library time, arts and crafts, outside-vendor enrichment, and STEM activities; runs until 6:00 p.m. at $160/month with drop-in rates of $15/day ($20 on minimum days).
• High School Counseling and Mentoring Program Structured 8th-grade placement service led by the High School Placement Coordinator and the Young Professionals Committee mentoring program, including HSPT preparation, essay assistance, and interview preparation. Documented outcome: 27 Class of 2025 graduates accepted to schools including Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, Notre Dame Belmont, ICA Cristo Rey Academy, SF University High School, Drew, Urban School, and Bay School.
• Extra-Curricular Programs Visual and performing arts and physical education curriculum: PE 4x weekly following National Association of Sport and Physical Education guidelines, Art 2x weekly, Drama 1x weekly, Music 1x weekly (K-5), and String Program (violin instruction for grades 3-8) including multiple public performance opportunities.
• Athletics Program Non-cut CYO Athletics League program fielding Girls Volleyball and Boys Soccer (Fall), Boys Basketball (Winter), Girls Basketball and Boys Volleyball (Spring) across San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of students qualify for tuition assistance
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Choice LunchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021App-based lunch delivery system offering nutritious and delicious food that is nutritionally sound, culturally relevant, and supportive of dietary restrictions. Replaced previous lunch provider to ensure students' brains and bodies are adequately nourished.
• Young Professionals Committee (YPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Established in 2019, a dedicated group of Bay Area professionals committed to working with MDA students through mentoring program, fundraising events, and corporate volunteering. Committee members provide school-based mentoring support to Eighth Grade students for high school application process.
• Boys and Girls Club of San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for aftercare supervision providing healthy snacks, homework study hall, games, basketball court, outdoor half-court soccer field, rated G movies, arts and crafts. MDA staff walk students two blocks to Boys and Girls Club on Guerrero Street for pickup between 3:30 and 6pm.
• UCSF Dyslexia CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for dyslexia assessment and support services to accommodate learning needs at every grade level through both pull-out intervention and within general education classroom.
• San Francisco Unified School District Private/Parochial Assessment DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for assessment services supporting students with learning differences and processing deficits.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Stratford School (San Francisco campuses): Multi-campus private K-8 operator in the Bay Area offering rigorous academic preparation with technology integration. Competes for the same tuition-paying families seeking strong academic outcomes.
• Convent of the Sacred Heart (Elementary Division): Established independent Catholic K-12 institution in San Francisco with much larger endowment and resources. Comparable in faith-based identity but operates at a higher tuition tier with broader programming.
• Stuart Hall High School / Convent (merged): San Francisco Catholic K-12 institution that absorbs MDA graduates and competes for the same Mission District family market. Functions as both a feeder and a competitor for parent selection.

Direct peers

• St. Anne's School (San Francisco): Catholic K-8 school in SF serving a similarly diverse population with strong academic preparation track record for the same set of Bay Area high schools.
• St. Vincent de Paul School (San Francisco): Independent Catholic K-8 school in San Francisco serving a similarly diverse, tuition-assistance-dependent student body. Comparable in mission, grade span, and reliance on parish/donor funding within the same competitive geography.
• St. Philip School (San Francisco): Catholic K-8 school in San Francisco with similar student demographics, mission-driven model, and high school placement outcomes.
• Star of the Sea School (San Francisco): Parochial K-8 school in San Francisco's Richmond District, sharing the Catholic identity, similar student-teacher ratios, and feeder pattern to selective Catholic high schools.
• St. Brigid School (San Francisco): Catholic K-8 school in San Francisco with overlapping admissions market, similar tuition assistance model, and comparable academic outcomes targeting top Bay Area Catholic high schools.
• Holy Name School (San Francisco): Independent Catholic K-8 school in San Francisco with comparable demographics, mission-driven culture, and reliance on fundraising to support tuition assistance.

Emerging players

• Guidepost Montessori (San Francisco): Network of private schools in SF offering an alternative curriculum model. Competes for tuition-paying families in the same geography though with a different pedagogical approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MissionDAcademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MissionDoloresAcad
• Facebookfacebook.com/MissionDoloresAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/missiondoloresacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mission-dolores-academy

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Mission Dolores Academy