Ross Valley School District

What Ross Valley School District does

Ross Valley School District (RVSD) is a California public K-8 school district serving approximately 1,700 transitional kindergarten through 8th-grade students across five schools — Brookside, Hidden Valley, Manor, and Wade Thomas elementary schools, plus White Hill Middle School — within the geographically fixed catchment of Fairfax (94930) and San Anselmo (94960) in Marin County. The district delivers a comprehensive instructional program built on published curricula including EL Education (K-5 ELA grounded in Science of Reading), Bridges in Mathematics (K-5), Amplify Desmos Math (6-8), Mystery Science (K-5) and a pilot OpenSciEd program (6-8), TCI social studies, and an award-winning music and visual arts program funded by the YES Foundation. Student support services include English Language Development, special education, social-emotional learning, nursing, and counseling.

The underlying technology stack is standard K-12 ed-tech infrastructure rather than proprietary platform technology: Aeries student information system for enrollment, grade management, and the parent portal; district-managed Chromebooks; Google Workspace for Education; the i-Ready adaptive diagnostic and DIBELS reading screener; and a Finalsite-powered website. There is no proprietary software product or unified platform; rather, the district integrates multiple third-party vendor tools.

As a government entity rather than a commercial enterprise, RVSD does not operate a revenue-generating business model. It is funded through California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base per-pupil funding ($11,771, the lowest in Marin County versus a state average of $14,494), local property taxes, a parcel tax representing approximately 15% of the budget (continuously renewed by voters since 1987), federal program-specific grants, and donations to the YES Foundation. The district faces a fiscal cliff with the expiration of COVID-era one-time funding, prompting a June 2, 2026 ballot measure seeking parcel tax renewal and increase to avert approximately $1 million in program cuts. Free TK-8 education is mandated by California law; enrollment is residence-based within district boundaries, with inter- and intra-district transfers available via open enrollment. Operational services such as before/after-school care (YMCA partnership on four elementary campuses) and meal programs (newly transitioned to Ordo Foods in August 2025) are delivered through community and vendor partnerships.

Name

Ross Valley School District

Legal name

Ross Valley School District

Website

https://rossvalleyschools.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ross Valley School District is a California public TK-8 school district serving approximately 1,700 students across five schools in Fairfax and San Anselmo, Marin County, funded through state LCFF, property taxes, a parcel tax, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public School Districts (K–12) (EDADABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

Keywords

• Public K-8 education
• TK-8 instruction
• Special education services
• English language development
• School nutrition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Anselmo

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): California's primary school funding method providing base level funding per student with supplemental funds for high-need students. RVSD alternates between LCFF (State Aid) and Basic Aid (Community Funded) status.
2. Property Taxes: Local property tax revenue that varies based on property values and ownership turnover rates in the Fairfax and San Anselmo communities
3. Parcel Tax: Locally-controlled parcel tax representing approximately 15% of district budget. Current rate: $742 renewal + $540 increase per parcel. The Measure H parcel tax is set for June 2, 2026 ballot for renewal and increase. Community has supported parcel tax since 1987.
4. Federal Funding: Federal funding for specific programs including lunch programs and special education services
5. YES Foundation Donations: Non-profit foundation funding arts and music programs in the district through community donations and fundraising
6. State Lottery and Interest Income: State lottery funding and interest income from district accounts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ross Valley School District is a California public TK-8 school district that delivers free, state-funded education to approximately 1,700 students across five schools in Fairfax and San Anselmo. Its offering encompasses core academic curriculum (ELA, mathematics, science, social studies), visual and performing arts, Transitional Kindergarten, English Language Development, Special Education, Social Emotional Learning, nursing and counseling services, school nutrition, and before/after-school childcare through partner organizations.

Product overview

Ross Valley School District operates as a public TK-8 school district serving approximately 1,700 students across five schools in Marin County, California. The district offers a comprehensive educational portfolio centered on its core instructional programs including EL Education (K-5 English Language Arts), Bridges in Mathematics (K-5), Amplify Desmos Math (6-8), Mystery Science/OpenSciEd (Science), and TCI Social Studies. These are supplemented by dedicated support programs such as English Language Development, Reading Intervention, Transitional Kindergarten, Special Education, and Social Emotional Learning. The district provides robust arts programming in music and visual arts funded by the YES Foundation, along with student support services including nursing, counseling, and Title IX compliance. Additional services include school nutrition (breakfast/lunch via Ordo Foods), before/after-school childcare via YMCA, and technology-enabled parent engagement through the Aeries portal. The district does not offer a unified software product or platform but rather delivers educational programs, assessment tools, and support services to students and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Curriculum - English Language Arts (EL Education) K-5 English Language Arts curriculum grounded in Science of Reading research, providing foundational skills through whole-group, small-group, and individualized instruction with diverse, knowledge-rich texts.
• Core Curriculum - Mathematics (Bridges in Mathematics) K-5 mathematics program emphasizing conceptual understanding as the foundation for procedural fluency through problem-based learning.
• Core Curriculum - Mathematics (Amplify Desmos Math) 6-8 mathematics curriculum from Amplify featuring highly rated instructional materials that promote curiosity, creativity, and deep mathematical understanding.
• Core Curriculum - Science (Mystery Science) K-5 science curriculum using engaging, hands-on investigations aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
• Core Curriculum - Science (OpenSciEd) Middle school science curriculum (pilot) designed for open-source, phenomena-driven science instruction.
• Core Curriculum - History Social Science (TCI) K-8 social studies curriculum using interactive approaches to history education.
• English Language Development (ELD) Program Designated English Language Development instruction providing targeted support for students whose primary language is not English, building academic language and confidence toward English proficiency and reclassification.
• Assessment Program (i-Ready Diagnostic) Adaptive diagnostic assessment administered in reading and math (Grades K-8) multiple times per year to identify student skill levels, strengths, and areas for growth.
• Assessment Program (DIBELS Reading Difficulties Screener) Universal screener for Grades K-2 measuring foundational literacy skills including letter recognition, phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency.
• CAASPP Assessment Program California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress including ELA, Math (Grades 3-8), and CAST science tests (Grades 5 & 8).
• Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Early childhood program providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where children learn through purposeful play and hands-on experiences, preparing them for kindergarten success.
• Music Program Award-winning music program from early grades through middle school, including instrumental instruction (woodwind, strings) beginning in 4th grade, and choir, band, or orchestra at White Hill Middle School.
• Visual Arts Program TK-8 art program teaching creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving using a wide range of media, tools, and techniques, with projects inspired by multicultural art forms.
• School Breakfast and Lunch Program District meal program providing breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost, administered through Ordo Foods service provider beginning August 2025.
• Nursing Services School-based health services supporting student wellness and safety.
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program supporting student social and emotional development and well-being.
• Special Education Services Specialized instruction and related services for students with disabilities identified under the thirteen IDEA disability categories, provided in the least restrictive environment.
• Aeries Parent Portal Online portal for parents to access student enrollment data, grades, attendance, and complete required annual data confirmation.
• Before and After-School Care (YMCA) Before-school and after-school childcare programs provided on elementary campuses by the YMCA, operating from 7am through school start and from dismissal until 6pm.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students returned to pre-pandemic levels of achievement with increased percentage meeting/exceeding grade level standards in ELA and Math
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ordo FoodscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 August 2025Selected as new meal provider for RVSD breakfast and lunch program beginning August 2025. Ordo is a growing school meal provider operating in over 15 states. Meals are produced in Marin County and delivered daily to school sites. All meals are paid for by the district and provided free to students.
• YES FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYES (Youth Education Services) Foundation is a non-profit organization that secures funding for art and music programs providing all children in RVSD access to enriching educational experiences. The foundation champions the arts, works collaboratively with the district to identify program needs, and funds district-wide programs ensuring equitable opportunities to all students. Core values include advocacy, collaboration, commitment, equity, exposure, and self-expression.
• Marin County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarin County Office of Education provides county-level educational oversight, resources, and support services to RVSD including substitute teacher registration and credentialing services.
• Tamalpais Union High School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighboring high school district serving RVSD graduates. Includes developer fee sharing agreement for construction projects.
• Town of San AnselmominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing community resources including Robson Aftercare program for Wade Thomas students and Safe Routes to Schools support.
• Town of FairfaxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in Fairfax working on shared community initiatives and supporting school programs.
• YMCA of San FranciscocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYMCA provides before-school and after-school childcare programs at Brookside, Hidden Valley, Manor, and Wade Thomas elementary schools. Childcare runs from 7 AM through school start and from dismissal until 6 PM. Requires minimum enrollment of 10 students for TK program and 14 for morning program.
• Marin TransitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides Youth Pass transit program for RVSD students and Yellow School Bus service for Hidden Valley and White Hill students in partnership with Town of San Anselmo, Town of Fairfax, and County of Marin. Reduced price passes available for families qualifying for free/reduced lunches.
• Safe Routes to SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarin County pioneering program designed to decrease traffic and pollution, increase student health through walking and biking to school. District provides suggested route maps for each school.
• Children for ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization supporting RVSD families and students through various programs and resources.
• Marin Gun Safety for SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on gun safety education and awareness in Marin County schools.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Tamalpais Union High School District: Neighboring Marin County high school district that receives RVSD graduates. Listed as a strategic partner with a developer fee sharing agreement; comparable as a regional Marin public school entity though at the secondary level.
• San Rafael City Schools: Adjacent Marin County K-12 district (larger than RVSD). Directly comparable California public school governance model and LCFF funding dynamics; Tyler Graff was previously Executive Director of Secondary Education there.

Direct peers

• Dixie School District: Marin County K-8 district serving San Rafael's west side. Directly comparable TK-8 instructional portfolio and county-level funding context, including shared parcel tax dynamics.
• Larkspur-Corte Madera School District: Nearby Marin County K-8 district serving Larkspur and Corte Madera. Comparable in scale and program structure, sharing the same county-level oversight and demographic profile as RVSD.
• Sausalito Marin City School District: Marin County K-8 district serving Sausalito and Marin City. Same governance structure and TK-8 mission, providing a comparable peer despite smaller enrollment.
• Mill Valley School District: Marin County K-8 district serving Mill Valley. Similar governance, instructional program structure, and funding environment (LCFF/basic aid), making it a direct operational peer.
• Reed Union School District: Neighboring Marin County K-8 public school district serving Tiburon and Belvedere. Directly comparable geography, governance model, and student demographics, making it the most relevant operational peer for RVSD.
• Kentfield School District: Adjacent Marin County K-8 public school district in Kentfield. Directly comparable size, governance, and TK-8 instructional mission in the same county and county office of education oversight.

Others

• Marin County Office of Education: County-level public education agency that provides oversight, credentialing, and support services to RVSD. Comparable as a public education ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
• Aeries Software (Eagle Software): Vendor of the Aeries Student Information System used by RVSD for enrollment, grade management, and the parent portal. Comparable as a critical technology partner for California K-12 districts but not a service or instruction peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rvsd?lang=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RossValleySchoolDistrict
• Facebookfacebook.com/RossValleySchools
• Instagraminstagram.com/rossvalleysd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Ross Valley School District