St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy

What St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy does

St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy (PMA) is a co-educational Catholic college-preparatory high school operated under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on a 17-acre campus in Downey, California. The school serves approximately 610 students in grades 9-12 with an average class size of 24, and traces its heritage to the 1953 founding of Pius X High School and the 1963 founding of St. Matthias High School, which merged into the current co-ed institution in 2013. PMA is an authorized IB World School and a 2001 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (under its predecessor St. Matthias), and offers a 4x4 University Block Schedule with dual-enrollment coursework through an Early College Program partnership with Cerritos College that allows students to earn up to 60 college credits and potentially an associate degree upon graduation.

The school's product portfolio centers on its core college-preparatory experience, supplemented by the Onward Scholars merit program (75% tuition scholarship plus $2,000 stipend for 12 students per cohort, funded by the John H. & Cynthia Lee Smet Family Foundation), the Onward 2 High School bridge program for 7th-8th graders at partner Catholic elementary schools, the Arts Collective (visual and performing arts), Warrior Athletics competing in CIF Southern Section, and ancillary services including supervised transportation from Hawthorne and Gardena and a summer arts camp. Technology infrastructure is modest and consumer-grade: a MacBook requirement for all students, Google Classroom for learning management, PowerSchool as the student information system, Finalsite for the public website/CMS, and WiFi-enabled campus facilities. The school has no AI/ML capabilities, proprietary technology stack, or app.

PMA's revenue model is tuition-driven, with 2025-2026 tuition of $12,300 per student (raised from $11,800 the prior year, a 4.2% increase), supplemented by approximately $500 per student in ancillary fees (books, uniforms, athletic fees). Optional revenue streams include transportation ($115/month one-way or $160/month round-trip, August through May) and summer arts camp registration ($175-$200). Distribution is direct-to-family via an admissions office using Open Houses, Shadow Days, and referrals from partner Catholic elementary schools. Need-based financial aid is administered through FACTS applications and the Archdiocesan Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), while merit aid flows through the Smet Foundation's Onward Scholars Program and several smaller named scholarships. Major capital is funded through philanthropic donations rather than debt or equity, most notably the Shea Family Charities and Smet Foundation contributions that funded the $3.8 million Warriors Plaza project completed in March 2023.

Name

St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy

Legal name

St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy

Website

https://piusmatthias.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy is a co-ed Catholic college-preparatory high school serving 610 students on a 17-acre campus in Downey, California, offering IB curriculum, dual-enrollment with Cerritos College, and the Onward Scholars merit program under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Downey

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: Primary revenue from tuition charges. 2025-2026 tuition is $12,300 per year. Additional fees for books, uniforms, and athletic fees approximately $500 annually.
2. Transportation Services: Optional daily bus transportation from pickup locations in Hawthorne and Gardena. Monthly fees of $115 for one-way or $160 for round-trip, billed August through May.
3. Summer Arts Camp: Summer camp programs for middle and high school students. Registration fees of $175-$200 for arts-focused activities including visual arts, theater, music, and dance.
4. Onward Scholars Program: Competitive scholarship program covering 75% of tuition plus $2,000 stipend. Funded by John H. & Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation, provides pathway to success for exceptional students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy is a co-educational Catholic college-preparatory high school operating on a 17-acre campus in Downey, California, under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It delivers a 4x4 University Block Schedule, an Early College Program dual-enrollment partnership with Cerritos College (up to 60 college units), an Onward Scholars competitive scholarship program, an Arts Collective, and CIF Southern Section athletics for approximately 610 students in grades 9-12.

Product overview

St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy is a co-educational Catholic college preparatory high school offering a comprehensive educational portfolio centered on its core Catholic university experience. The school's integrated offerings include the Early College Program (dual enrollment with Cerritos College), the Onward Scholars scholarship program, and The Arts Collective arts program. Academic structure features a 4x4 University Block Schedule, while the Onward 2 High School bridge program supports middle school transitions. Additional offerings include Warrior Athletics (CIF Southern Section), summer camps, and transportation services. The school operates on a 17-acre campus in Downey, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early College Program A dual enrollment partnership with Cerritos College allowing PMA students to earn up to 60 college units during high school, potentially earning an associate degree upon graduation while completing high school graduation requirements.
• Onward Scholars Program A competitive scholarship and enrichment program providing a four-year scholarship covering 75% of tuition, mentorship, college access support, and a $2,000 stipend for students demonstrating academic excellence and leadership. Funded by the John H. & Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation.
• The Arts Collective Comprehensive visual and performing arts department offering courses in art, ceramics, theatre, chorus, instrumental music, digital media, and AP Art & Design, along with co-curricular enrichment and summer arts camp programs.
• Onward 2 High School (O2HS) A bridge program preparing middle school students for high school through Honors Algebra I instruction at partner Catholic elementary schools and a three-week STEAM-based Summer Institute hosted at the academy.
• Warrior Athletics Athletics program competing in CIF Southern Section offering sports including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, track and field, cross country, cheerleading, and E-Sports.
• Summer Arts Camp Week-long arts camp for middle and high school students offering workshops in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts led by Arts Collective staff. Registration fees of $175 for middle school and $200 for high school.
• Transportation Services Daily supervised transportation service for students from pickup locations at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hawthorne and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Gardena, with audio/video cameras and monthly or annual payment plans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 60 college credits can be earned through Early College Program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cerritos CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Early College Program partnership allowing PMA students to earn up to 60 college units during high school. Students can complete IGETC requirements and potentially earn an associate degree upon graduation. Cerritos College waives tuition for the program. First private high school to build a four-year dual enrollment pathway with Cerritos College.
• Loyola Marymount University Center for Catholic EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Conducted feasibility study in 2012 on growth options for St. Matthias High School. Study examined how the school was achieving the Catholic Education mission and ways to better serve the surrounding community.
• St. Helen SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Onward 2 High School Algebra I Honors instruction during school year.
• St. Odilia SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Onward 2 High School Algebra I Honors instruction during school year.
• Bishop Mora Salesian High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner host high school for Onward 2 High School Summer Institute program.
• Cathedral High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner host high school for Onward 2 High School Summer Institute program.
• Sacred Heart High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner host high school for Onward 2 High School Summer Institute program.
• St. Anthony High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner host high school for Onward 2 High School Summer Institute program.
• St. Mary's AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner host high school for Onward 2 High School Summer Institute program.
• EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools)minorOthersInternational educational organization membership demonstrating commitment to global education standards.
• IB World School (International Baccalaureate)coreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized IB World School offering IB programs. Member of IB Continuum demonstrating college-preparatory excellence.
• JCIS (Japan Council of International Schools)minorOthersInternational schools membership organization in Japan region.
• International Spanish AcademyminorOthersSpanish language education program affiliation through Spanish government.
• UCLAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership brought through Steinmetz Foundation contributions, including UCLA connections for experiential learning opportunities.
• Oceans InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific/educational partnership through Steinmetz Foundation bringing marine science opportunities to students.
• Junior Achievement of Southern CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness and entrepreneurship education partnership through Steinmetz Foundation.
• BenkadiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram bringing world-class professional West African musicians and dancers to instruct students in drumming and dance. PMA's World Percussion Group organized through Benkadi. Dr. De Larkin serves on Benkadi's advisory board.
• Counseling Partners of Los Angeles (CPLA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides additional counseling support with CPLA counselors on campus multiple days per week to support student academic, personal/social, and career counseling needs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mater Dei High School: Catholic co-ed college-prep high school in Santa Ana (Diocese of Orange). Comparable Catholic college-prep model with a stronger athletic brand and broader regional draw; relevant comp for tuition and athletics positioning.
• Loyola High School: Jesuit all-boys Catholic college-prep high school in Los Angeles. Overlaps in Catholic college-prep market, IB-level academic offerings, and CIF-SS athletic competition; positioned at a higher tuition tier.
• Bishop Amat Memorial High School: Co-ed Catholic college-prep high school in La Puente under the Archdiocese of LA. Comparable Catholic college-prep model, athletic prominence in CIF-SS, and tuition/pricing structure targeting similar middle-income Catholic families.
• Cathedral High School: Co-ed Catholic college preparatory high school in Los Angeles under the Archdiocese of LA. Closest comparable peer, serving the same regional Catholic family market with similar admissions funnel, dual-enrollment partnerships, and CIF athletics footprint.
• St. Mary's Academy: All-girls Catholic high school in Inglewood under the Archdiocese of LA. Listed as a formal PMA Onward 2 High School partner and serves the same southeast LA Catholic demographic with comparable college-prep orientation.
• St. John Bosco High School: Catholic all-boys college-prep high school in Bellflower under the Archdiocese of LA. Highly comparable CIF-SS athletic model, although larger and with a stronger athletic brand. Same regional market and demographic.
• Sacred Heart High School: Catholic high school in Lincoln, CA (Diocese of Sacramento). Listed as a formal PMA Onward 2 High School Summer Institute partner; comparable Catholic college-prep curriculum and student demographic.
• Bishop Montgomery High School: Co-ed Catholic high school in Torrance under the Archdiocese of LA. Overlaps with PMA in admissions geography (south bay / LA County), college-prep curriculum, and CIF-SS athletics.
• St. Anthony High School: Catholic co-ed college-prep high school in Long Beach, also under the Archdiocese of LA. Direct geographic and demographic peer, with overlapping admissions market and similar CIF Southern Section athletics participation.

Others

• Cerritos College: Community college partner of PMA's Early College Program, enabling dual enrollment. Not a peer in the educational competition sense, but a direct ecosystem participant whose partnership is central to PMA's differentiated value proposition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@st.piusx-st.matthiasacadem9739?feature=shared
• Facebookfacebook.com/PiusMatthiasAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/piusmatthias/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/piusmatthias

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy