Santa Teresita School

What Santa Teresita School does

Santa Teresita School is a private Catholic coeducational elementary school serving Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded on September 11, 1950 by Father Antonio Bouquet and originally staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, the school operates as a 501(c)(3) ministry of Santa Teresita Parish under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools and holds dual accreditation from WCEA and WASC. Its core product is a faith-integrated academic program covering religion, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, supplemented by enrichment modules including Art Trek instruction, USC Thornton music outreach, a CYO sports program via the Saint Sebastian Sports Project, and a 1-1 iPad program launched in 2021-2022 through the C3 IGNITE grant.

The school's revenue mechanics are hybrid and heavily subsidized. Tuition is collected on recurring monthly installments via FACTS Tuition Management, but more than 90% of families require need-based financial aid, with primary funding flowing through the Catholic Education Foundation's Tuition Awards Program (TAP) and school-based aid. A Sponsor-A-Student program at $3,200 per year and a Wish List giving program supplement tuition, while a broad foundation partner network (Carrie Estelle Doheny, Shea Family, Herrmann Family, Weingart, Vision of Hope, and others) provides capital and operational grants. The customer base is a low-income, geographically concentrated set of Boyle Heights families, including 35% drawn from the Ramona Gardens Housing Development.

The organization is small, with approximately 16 staff including a principal (Mrs. Ruth Villaneda, M.A., the first lay principal after the 2019 transition from Dominican Sisters administration), a Development Director (Terry Olmos), six teachers, and four support staff. Technology infrastructure is built on commodity K-12 platforms (Google G Suite for Education, Gradelink SIS, LibraryWorld, BrainPOP, PayPal donations) rather than proprietary systems, and the institution has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Marketing and admissions are conducted direct-to-consumer via parish channels, the school website, a Facebook page, and a parent ambassador program (Madrinas/Padrinos), with an open rolling admissions process and a $25 application fee.

Name

Santa Teresita School

Legal name

Santa Teresita School

Website

https://santateresitaschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Santa Teresita School is a Catholic TK-8 elementary school in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, serving primarily low-income families with over 90% on need-based aid; it operates as a 501(c)(3) under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, funded through tuition, CEF TAP financial aid, and a broad foundation partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 Catholic Elementary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI), Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF)

Keywords

• Catholic elementary education
• K-8 parochial school
• Faith-based education
• Tuition assistance programs
• Sacramental preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: School generates revenue primarily through tuition payments collected via FACTS Tuition Management system on monthly installments. Families are required to pay tuition and fees through this system.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Significant donations from foundation partners and individual sponsors. The school operates a Sponsor-A-Student program with annual sponsorship of $3,200. Over 90% of families require need-based financial aid.
3. Financial Aid Programs: School participates in Catholic Education Foundation tuition awards program (CEF TAP) and school-based financial aid to support families who cannot pay full tuition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Santa Teresita School is a Catholic co-educational elementary school providing a faith-based TK through Grade 8 program to families in the Boyle Heights community of Los Angeles. The school delivers a Common Core-aligned academic curriculum, religion instruction grounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacramental preparation, and enrichment programs in art, music, technology, and athletics. Educational services are supported by foundation-funded programs, need-based financial aid, and a 1-1 iPad classroom technology initiative.

Product overview

Santa Teresita School is a Catholic elementary school offering a comprehensive K-8 academic program centered on Christian education and academic excellence. The core educational offering includes traditional academics (religion, reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies) plus enrichment programs including Art Trek art instruction, USC Thornton Music Program, and a 1-1 iPad technology program. Beyond academics, the school provides spiritual formation through religion curriculum, prayer services, and sacramental preparation. The school operates co-curricular programs including CYO Sports (via Saint Sebastian Sports Project), student activities, and health partnerships with QueensCare and LAPD. Financial support programs include Sponsor-A-Student, Financial Aid (via Catholic Education Foundation), and a Wish List for specific school needs. The institution is accredited by WCEA and WASC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Santa Teresita School Academic Program TK through 8th-grade Catholic elementary academic program covering religion, reading, language, spelling, handwriting, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education, taught to Common Core Standards and supplemented by Title I literacy, Project THINK homework club, and enrichment programs. Intended for families in the Boyle Heights community of Los Angeles seeking a Christ-centered K-8 education.
• Spiritual Formation Program K-8 religion curriculum grounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, including prayer and worship, Christian service activities, and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion.
• 1-1 iPad Technology Program Classroom technology program in which every student is provided a personal iPad through the C3 IGNITE grant, supported by Google G Suite for Education and BrainPOP educational software.
• Art Trek Art Instruction Program Art instruction for grades 1-8 delivered by Art Trek, Inc., a nonprofit providing hands-on lessons in art techniques, media, vocabulary, and art history; funded by the Porteous Family Foundation grant.
• USC Thornton Music Program Music education and performance program for students, including the 'Meet the Instrument' introduction to instruments, delivered by the USC Thornton School of Music Outreach Program.
• CYO Sports Program Catholic Youth Organization athletic program offered to students in grades 4-8 covering flag football, basketball, volleyball, and softball; supported by the Saint Sebastian Sports Project.
• Student Activities Program Co-curricular activities for students including Altar Servers, Student Council, Academic Bees, Catholic Schools Week Activities, Christmas Program, Science Fair, and various cultural celebrations.
• School Health and Safety Services School health services delivered with QueensCare (immunization screenings, vision/hearing tests, scoliosis screenings, mental health services, parish nurse at Santa Teresita Catholic Church) and school safety programming with the LAPD Hollenbeck Community Safety Partnership.
• On-Campus School Library On-campus library opened in 2011, stocked with books and laptop computers and cataloged via LibraryWorld, with collection donations from the Molina Foundation and the Robert Zieman family.
• Sponsor-A-Student Program Donor sponsorship program providing annual, quarterly, or monthly sponsorships to fund tuition for individual students whose families cannot pay full cost.
• Financial Aid and Tuition Awards Program Need-based tuition assistance for enrolled families via Catholic Education Foundation Tuition Awards Program (TAP) and school-based aid; includes 8th-grade high-school scholarships for qualifying students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 394 students enrolled by 1954, demonstrating community trust and growth potential
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal administering order that founded the school in 1950. Continues to support through Vision of Hope development program and semester site visits to maintain connection with affiliate schools.
• Vision of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDominican Sisters program providing financial support for eight inner-city schools. Mission is to ensure quality, affordability and vibrant future of schools, children and communities they serve.
• LAPD Hollenbeck Division - Community Safety Partnership (CSP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolice officers make friendly visits to school, participate in activities like faculty volleyball games, coach after-school sports teams, organize summer camps and community building programs. Mission to decrease crime and fear, and empower youth to achieve excellence.
• QueensCaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides immunization screenings, vision and hearing tests, scoliosis screenings, height and weight assessments, and mental health services for qualifying students. Also provides parish nurse health services at Santa Teresita Catholic Church.
• Saint Sebastian Sports ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit founded in 2009 supporting sports programs at 80 Catholic schools in LA Archdiocese. Helps fund equipment, uniforms and team fees; hosts coaching clinics; holds tournaments; provides UCLA/USC game tickets; runs Leadership Academy for 8th graders.
• Fit KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides comprehensive physical education curriculum to Saint Sebastian Sports Project schools.
• Art Trek Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit providing art instruction to students in grades 1-8. Provides experienced art instructor and materials for hands-on art instruction covering techniques, media, vocabulary and art history. Funded by Porteous Family Foundation grant.
• USC Thornton School of Music - Outreach ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides unique music education and performance opportunities. USC Thornton students present 'Meet the Instrument' program introducing children to music.
• Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) - Title I ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministering supplementary literacy program for students meeting criteria for additional learning assistance.
• Project THINKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school homework club providing tutoring and academic assistance for students.
• Flintridge Sacred Heart AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents from Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy donated books to the library. School also hosts Christmas Party at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dolores Mission School (Los Angeles): Catholic K-8 school in Boyle Heights / East LA area serving low-income families; directly comparable in mission, demographic, and financial-aid model. Both schools operate under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools.
• Cathedral Chapel School (Los Angeles): Inner-city Catholic K-8 school in central Los Angeles, comparable in mission, demographic focus, and archdiocesan affiliation.
• St. Sebastian School (Los Angeles): Another Catholic K-8 school in the LA Archdiocese serving a similar inner-city demographic, with overlapping archdiocesan oversight and likely comparable financial-aid-dependent operating model.
• St. Agatha School (Los Angeles): Catholic K-8 school in LA Archdiocese; comparable in offering, faith-based curriculum, and reliance on Catholic Education Foundation financial aid.
• St. Turibius School (Los Angeles): Catholic K-8 school in Boyle Heights serving Spanish-speaking working families, comparable in scale, demographic, and archdiocesan structure to Santa Teresita.
• Our Lady of Lourdes School (Los Angeles): Catholic K-8 school in the LA Archdiocese with comparable structure, faith-based curriculum, and similar outreach to working-class families.

Others

• Catholic Education Foundation (CEF): Foundation providing Tuition Awards Program (TAP) financial aid to families at Santa Teresita and 200+ other LA Catholic schools; a key upstream enabler rather than a competitor.
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools: Oversight body for 200+ Catholic schools in the LA region; not a competitor but provides centralized accreditation, shared resources, and donor introductions that materially affect Santa Teresita's operations.

Emerging players

• St. Elizabeth Elementary School (Oakland): Sister Vision of Hope school under the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose umbrella; directly comparable operating model, financial-aid structure, and mission focus, providing a natural benchmarking peer.
• St. Lawrence O'Toole School (East Palo Alto): Another Dominican Sisters-affiliated Vision of Hope school serving a low-income community; comparable in scale, demographic, and Vision of Hope program participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/santateresitaschoolla
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/santa-teresita-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Santa Teresita School