PACIFIC LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL

What PACIFIC LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL does

Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School is a private, nonprofit Christian school (501c3 ID #20-3919488) located on a single fenced and monitored campus at 1473 W 182nd St, Gardena, California, serving approximately 130 students in grades 6 through 12. The school is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) and operates under Principal/Executive Director Dr. Kit Hittinger. It holds the highest level of WASC accreditation (full six-year term with mid-term report) and offers a college-preparatory curriculum with 34 UC a-g approved courses, AP classes, and concurrent dual enrollment through partnerships with Grand Canyon University and El Camino College. Campus facilities include 15 classrooms equipped with flat screens, document cameras, and digital touch-screen projectors, plus a science lab, art studio, 3-D printing lab, Mac/PC labs, MakerSpace room, performing arts center, and cafeteria.

The school's revenue model is tuition-driven and segment-tiered: domestic junior high (grades 6-8) at $6,710 per year, domestic senior high (grades 9-12) at $8,350 per year, and international students on F-1 visas at $11,140 (junior) to $17,845 (senior) per year, supplemented by registration, instructional, sports, and graduation fees, plus donations to its 501c3 fund. Approximately 20% of enrollment comes through a SEVIS-approved international program drawing students from at least 11 countries (Italy, Spain, UK, France, Brazil, Germany, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea). The school also operates a Homeschool Course Partnership offering 1-4 courses per semester ($600-$3,975) to non-enrolled or full-time homeschool students. Admissions are handled directly via an online Gradelink portal and Acuity-scheduled tours, with year-round open enrollment, an application process that includes transcripts, a recommendation letter, and a principal interview. Reported student outcomes include an average SAT score of 1250 and acceptances at UC, CSU, Lutheran, Catholic, and private universities including USC and Pepperdine.

Name

PACIFIC LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL

Legal name

Pacific Lutheran Jr./ Sr. High School

Website

https://pacificlutheranhigh.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School is a nonprofit Lutheran Christian school in Gardena, California serving about 130 students in grades 6-12 with a WASC-accredited, college-preparatory curriculum and a SEVIS-approved international F-1 program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Christian Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Private christian education
• College preparatory school
• Secondary education services
• International student program
• Faith based schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Gardena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

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 and Fees: Pacific Lutheran generates revenue primarily through tuition fees paid by families for their children's education. The school charges different tuition rates for junior high school (grades 6-8), senior high school (grades 9-12), and international students. Additional fees include registration, instructional materials, sports, and graduation fees. The school is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (ID #20-3919488) and relies on donations to maintain affordable pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School is a private Lutheran-Christian school offering college-preparatory education for grades 6-12, including junior high (6-8), senior high (9-12), a SEVIS-approved international F-1 program for grades 7-12, and a homeschool course partnership. The curriculum integrates Christ-centered theology with 34 UC a-g approved courses, AP classes, dual-enrollment with Grand Canyon University and El Camino College, ESL support, athletics, and enrichment in fine arts, Spanish, and technology. Tuition is the primary revenue source, supplemented by charitable donations supporting the school's 501c3 nonprofit mission.

Product overview

Pacific Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School provides a Christ-centered, college-preparatory education for students in grades 6-12, positioning itself as an affordable Christian school in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. The school operates four main educational programs: Junior High School (grades 6-8), Senior High School (grades 9-12), International Program (SEVIS-approved F-1 visa program for grades 7-12), and Homeschool Course Partnership (high school courses transferred to students' schools of record). The school also offers an Athletics Program with CIF Sports opportunities. All programs integrate Lutheran-Christian theology with academic instruction, and the senior high program includes concurrent dual enrollment with Grand Canyon University and El Camino College.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior High School Program (Grades 6-8) Middle school education for grades 6-8 with a Christ-centered, college-preparatory curriculum covering theology, core academics, fine arts, Spanish, and technology. Annual tuition of $6,710 plus registration, instructional, sports, and graduation fees.
• Senior High School Program (Grades 9-12) High school education for grades 9-12 with a college-preparatory curriculum that includes 34 UC a-g approved courses, AP classes, and concurrent dual enrollment with Grand Canyon University and El Camino College. Annual tuition of $8,350 plus registration fee.
• International Student Program (Grades 7-12) SEVIS-approved program for international students in grades 7-12 on F-1 visas seeking an American high school diploma and university preparation. Includes college-preparatory coursework, multiple ESL courses, school clubs, field trips, and CIF Sports opportunities. Annual tuition of $11,140 (junior) to $17,845 (high school) plus non-refundable $750 registration fee.
• Homeschool Course Partnership High school course instruction program for homeschool families where Pacific Lutheran either provides individual courses (transcripts transferred to the student's school of record) or serves as full-time school of record for 3-4 courses per semester. Per-semester pricing: 1 course $600, 2 courses $1,200, 3 courses $1,800, 4 courses $3,975, with $50 per-semester per-course registration fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average SAT score of 1250
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grand Canyon UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Lutheran offers concurrent dual enrollment opportunities with Grand Canyon University, allowing students to take college-level courses while in high school. The school also offers GCU online classes for additional college preparation.
• El Camino CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Lutheran offers concurrent dual enrollment opportunities with El Camino College, enabling students to earn college credits while completing their high school education.
• Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Lutheran is one of approximately 90 Lutheran high schools belonging to LCMS, a conservative Lutheran Church body with approximately 1.9 million members throughout the United States. The school shares LCMS's theological position that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God and Jesus is the sole Savior.
• FAIR ApplicationminorOthersPacific Lutheran refers families to FAIR Application (www.fairapp.com, code 293, password plhs293) for financial aid consideration. Typical financial aid award is a tuition reduction of $1,500 for families experiencing severe financial need.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lutheran High School of Orange County: A Southern California LCMS high school sharing Pacific Lutheran's faith tradition, college-prep model, and SEVIS-style international programs. Closest geographic and structural peer in the Lutheran system.
• Vistamar School: A small private independent school in El Segundo serving grades 9–12 in the South Bay. Comparable on small-class-size, college-prep positioning for the same family demographic.
• Valley Christian High School: A faith-based college-prep high school in the San Jose area, comparable on Lutheran-evangelical mission, college-prep curriculum, athletics, and SEVIS-style international program.
• Concordia Lutheran High School: An LCMS-affiliated Lutheran high school operating under the same denominational network as Pacific Lutheran (~90 schools nationwide). Most directly comparable on theology, mission, and target family, though geographically separated.
• Whittier Christian Schools: A faith-based private K-12 system in greater Los Angeles with college-prep focus. Comparable on faith-based model, college-prep curriculum, and tuition tier.
• Heritage Christian School: A private Christian K-12 school system in the greater LA area offering college-preparatory education with a faith-based identity. Comparable on mission, demographic, and tuition tier.
• Rolling Hills Preparatory School: A small private college-prep school in San Pedro serving grades 6–12. Comparable on grade span, class size, and South Bay college-prep positioning, though non-faith-based.

Regional players

• Bishop Montgomery High School: A Catholic college-preparatory high school in Torrance in the South Bay area of LA. Direct geographic competitor for faith-based college-prep families, with broader athletics and a larger footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Chadwick School: An established K-12 private day school on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the South Bay. Overlaps Pacific Lutheran's market but is significantly larger and more established, with broader programming.

Others

• California Lutheran University: The affiliated Lutheran higher-education institution in Thousand Oaks. Adjacent ecosystem partner, accepting Pacific Lutheran graduates and sharing denominational identity with the LCMS network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/pacific-lutheran-high-school

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 PACIFIC LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL