Tilden School
Tilden School is a nonprofit, independent K-5 elementary school founded in 1985 in West Seattle, Washington. It serves local families with low student-to-teacher ratio education, specialist programming in arts, music, technology, and languages, and tuition-based annual enrollment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tilden School does
Tilden School is a private, independent, nonprofit K-5 elementary school founded in 1985 by Whitney Tjerandsen in West Seattle, Washington. The school operates from a single campus at 4105 California Ave SW (leased from First Lutheran Church of West Seattle) and serves families seeking low student-to-teacher ratio foundational education with strong preparation for middle school transition. Its academic program blends core literacy, math, and science with specialist instruction in Art, Art History, Computer Skills and Science, Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Physical Education, Spanish, and Social-Emotional Learning, anchored by a founder-developed Thursday Story Writing Program and a 3-5 computer science curriculum that includes touch-typing and 3D printing.
The school's revenue model is tuition-driven: 2026-2027 tuition is $19,700 per student, billed as a $2,000 deposit plus $1,770/month for 10 months, with a 2% early-payment discount and 5% sibling discount. Ancillary revenue comes from a $50 application fee, a ~$360 one-time technology fee tied to third-grade Chromebook distribution, the After School Enrichment Program ($210-$420/month plus $37/day drop-in), and the Tilden Store selling branded merchandise at $15-$45 per item.
Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer. Admissions run on the Sycamore platform with annual deadlines (priority January 11, 2026 for 2026-2027 enrollment), supported by up to three fall/winter Open Houses and personalized campus tours. Marketing relies on word-of-mouth from current and alumni families, the Tilden Association of Family and Alumni (TAFA, founded 2022), and an organic Facebook/Instagram presence. The school is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (up to nine members) and led since August 2024 by Head of School Andrew Gustav, a 2002 Tilden alumnus. No external ownership, venture investment, or acquisition activity is disclosed.
Tilden School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tilden School
- Legal name
- Tilden School
- Website
- https://tildenschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tilden School is a nonprofit, independent K-5 elementary school founded in 1985 in West Seattle, Washington. It serves local families with low student-to-teacher ratio education, specialist programming in arts, music, technology, and languages, and tuition-based annual enrollment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Tilden School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Tilden School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- K-5 Tuition: Primary revenue stream from annual tuition for K-5 education. 2026-2027 tuition is $19,700/year with $2,000 deposit plus $1,770/month for 10 months. Includes most school supplies. 2% discount for full payment by May 1.
- After School Enrichment Program: After-school care and enrichment program operated Monday-Thursday, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Offers contract and drop-in options. 2024-2025 rates: $420/month (4 days), $315/month (3 days), $210/month (2 days), $37/day drop-in.
- Merchandise Sales (Tilden Store): School-branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, caps, water bottles sold through the school website. Prices range from $15-$45.
- Technology Fee: One-time technology fee of approximately $360 collected in September before third-grade year, covering student's Chromebook and associated equipment.
- Application Fee: $50 non-refundable one-time application fee for new students applying to the school.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | K-5 Annual Tuition (2026-2027): $19,700/year |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Technology Fee: ~$360 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee: $50 |
| Subscription | Monthly | After School Enrichment - 4 days/week: $420/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | After School Enrichment - 3 days/week: $315/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | After School Enrichment - 2 days/week: $210/month |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | After School Enrichment - Drop-in: $37/day |
| Subscription | Monthly | Sibling Discount: 5% on younger child |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Tilden School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tilden School is an independent nonprofit K-5 elementary school delivering academic, engaging, student-centered education with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Core offerings include foundational literacy, math, and science instruction, enriched by specialist programming in art, music, computer science, PE, Spanish, and social-emotional learning. Supplemental services include an After School Enrichment program and branded merchandise sales through the Tilden Store.
Product overview
Tilden School is a private K-5 elementary school offering a unified educational program centered on academic excellence, social-emotional development, and character building. The core offering is its K-5 education program supplemented by specialist programming in art, music, computer skills, science, PE, Spanish, and social-emotional learning. Additional services include an After School Enrichment Program for childcare and supervision, a Tilden Store selling branded merchandise (apparel and accessories), and an alumni engagement program through TAFA. The school operates on annual tuition with multiple payment options and discounts available.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- K-5 Elementary Education Program Academic, engaging, student-centered K-5 education serving children from kindergarten through fifth grade, delivering foundational and preparatory instruction in literacy, math, and science with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Designed for families in the West Seattle and Puget Sound area seeking independent private school education.
- Specialist Programming Enriched instruction from teaching specialists in Art, Art History, Computer Skills and Science, Music (Instrumental and Vocal), Physical Education, Social-Emotional Learning, and Spanish, available to enrolled K-5 students.
- After School Enrichment Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates successfully admitted to diverse middle schools including private, parochial, and public options throughout the region
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Tilden School
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Tilden School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Tilden School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- First Lutheran Church of West SeattlecoreThe school rents its physical space from the First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. Located at the corner of California and Dakota, entering through the west side of the building. There is no affiliation between the school and the church beyond the landlord-tenant relationship.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Tilden School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tilden School social profiles
Digital presenceTilden School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tilden School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Tilden School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tilden School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tilden School
What does Tilden School do?
Tilden School is an independent nonprofit K-5 elementary school delivering academic, engaging, student-centered education with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Core offerings include foundational literacy, math, and science instruction, enriched by specialist programming in art, music, computer science, PE, Spanish, and social-emotional learning. Supplemental services include an After School Enrichment program and branded merchandise sales through the Tilden Store.
Is Tilden School a public or private company?
Tilden School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tilden School founded?
Tilden School was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tilden School based?
Tilden School is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tilden School make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. K-5 Tuition is the primary driver. The others are after School Enrichment Program, merchandise Sales (Tilden Store), technology Fee and application Fee.
Does Tilden School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tilden School.