South Whittier Elementary School District

What South Whittier Elementary School District does

South Whittier Elementary School District is a publicly funded K-8 school district serving approximately 2,041 funded average daily attendance students across six school sites — Lake Marie, Loma Vista, Howard J. McKibben, Los Altos, Carmela, and Graves Middle School — in Whittier, California, and surrounding unincorporated Los Angeles County areas. Its core educational offering includes transitional kindergarten through 8th grade instruction, a Dual Language Immersion pathway, an award-winning Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program recognized by the NAMM Foundation, special education services, and the AVID college-readiness program at Graves Middle School. Beyond core academics, the district operates a Community Schools initiative with integrated family, health, and wellness supports, and an Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) delivered in partnership with Think Together that serves 2,388 students with tutoring, robotics, mariachi, cheer, musical theatre, art, and summer enrichment including a new Summer Math Academy with Río Hondo Math Academy.

The district's technology stack is conventional for California K-12: ParentSquare for family communication, Aeries for student information and records, and a SmartSites CMS for the public website (swhittier.k12.ca.us). There are no proprietary technology products, AI/ML systems, or commercial software offerings; the entity is a service provider, not a technology vendor. The underlying platform is the district's instructional and operational organization — credentialed teachers, the LCAP three-year strategic plan, PBIS, and an expanded community-partnership ecosystem — rather than a software stack.

The revenue model is entirely governmental: California Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) state aid driven by ADA, supplemented by local property taxes, federal categorical revenue, and voter-approved general obligation bonds (Measure K and Measure QS) for capital facility improvements such as roofing, HVAC, parking, and fire/life safety. There is no tuition or fee-based service; the district is a non-profit government state entity governed by an elected Board of Education. Distribution occurs exclusively through direct enrollment at the six school sites, with no commercial go-to-market motion. Leadership is transitioning on July 1, 2026, from retiring Superintendent Dr. Gary Gonzales (nine years of service) to incoming Superintendent Dr. Greg Gero, a bilingual (Spanish) leader with 30+ years of experience and a CASBO Certified Chief Business Official credential, recruited via a community-engaged search process.

Name

South Whittier Elementary School District

Legal name

South Whittier Elementary School District

Website

https://swhittier.k12.ca.us

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

South Whittier Elementary School District is a publicly funded K-8 public school district operating six schools in Whittier, California, serving approximately 2,041 students with core academics, Dual Language Immersion, VAPA, Community Schools, and an Expanded Learning program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 Public Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

Keywords

• K-8 public education
• Elementary education services
• Dual language immersion
• Expanded learning programs
• Community schools initiative

Headquarters

HQ city

Whittier

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Funding (LCFF): Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) state funding with annual cost-of-living adjustments, based on average daily attendance (ADA) of approximately 2,041 funded students.
2. Local Property Taxes: Local property tax revenues contribute to district funding.
3. Federal Revenue: Federal revenue sources supporting district operations and programs.
4. Bond Measures (Measure K & QS): Voter-approved bond measures (Proposition 39) for facility improvements including roof repairs, HVAC upgrades, parking updates, and fire and life safety improvements.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

South Whittier Elementary School District operates six TK-8 public schools delivering free core academic instruction, dual language immersion, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), physical education, special education, and expanded learning programs. The district serves approximately 2,041 funded students (ADA) with additional enrichment including tutoring, robotics, mariachi, cheer, musical theatre, and mental health and wellness programming, supported by community partnerships with Think Together, LA County Library, and LA County Department of Public Health.

Product overview

South Whittier Elementary School District operates a comprehensive K-8 educational system serving approximately 2,041 students across six schools (Lake Marie, Loma Vista, Howard J. McKibben, Los Altos, Carmela, and Graves Middle School). The district provides core educational programs including Dual Language Immersion, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), Special Education, Community Schools initiative, and Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELOP). Enrichment offerings include robotics teams, AVID college readiness, summer programs (Summer Academy, Río Hondo Math Academy), mental health wellness programs, and athletic/arts extracurriculars. The district utilizes ParentSquare for family communication, Aeries for student information management, and Think Together for expanded learning program operations. Current curriculum review includes CommonLit 360 for middle school ELA adoption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts): District's Visual and Performing Arts program offering mariachi, dance, cheer, instrumental performances, and musical theatre.

Products and services

• Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Program District-wide Visual and Performing Arts program offering visual arts, music, dance, mariachi, cheer, instrumental performances, and musical theatre productions, including student performances at community events. Recognized by NAMM Foundation with the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education award.
• Community Schools Initiative Five-year implementation plan focused on family engagement, integrated student supports, collaborative leadership, and community partnerships. Includes parent workshops, family events, leadership opportunities, and community schools engagement across the six district schools.
• Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) After-school and summer enrichment programs including high-dose tutoring, sports, robotics, cheer, musical theatre, art, and mariachi. Delivered through Think Together partnership and currently serving 2,388 students across the district, with summer transportation provided via YMCA partnership.
• Dual Language Immersion Program Dual Language Immersion Program providing a TK-12 bilingual pathway with instruction in two languages, developing bilingualism and cultural awareness for students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Special Education Services Special Education services across the district for students with disabilities, providing individualized education plans and specialized instructional support.
• Summer Academy Summer learning program open to all current General Education students offering continued skill building in a fun, supportive environment to prevent summer learning loss.
• Río Hondo Math Academy Free summer math program offering Pre-Algebra for incoming 7th graders and Algebra I for incoming 8th graders. Runs June 8 - July 9, 2026 at Graves Middle School in partnership with Río Hondo Math Academy.
• AVID Program College readiness program at Graves Middle School where eighth-grade students build academic portfolios and practice professional interview skills in preparation for high school and post-secondary education.
• Mental Health and Wellness Programs District-wide mental health and wellness programming including Loma Vista's Calming Lobos empowerment club, Lucky's Lounge wellness space, and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). Loma Vista Elementary was recognized by Erika's Lighthouse as a Peggy Kubert Model School in 2026 for excellence in Tier 1 mental health programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8% overall increase, 12% elementary increase in students meeting/exceeding math standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Think TogethercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThink Together provides Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELOP) including high-dose tutoring, sports, robotics, cheer, musical theatre, art, and mariachi. Currently serving 2,388 students across the district. Also provides summer program transportation through YMCA partnership.
• Río Hondo Math AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free Summer Math Program for students including Pre-Algebra for incoming 7th graders and Algebra I for incoming 8th graders. Program runs June 8 - July 9, 2026 at Graves Middle School.
• Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice HahncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn's office for the annual Health & Wellness Fair. Supervisor's office provided opening remarks and support for community resource event.
• LA County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in Health & Wellness Fair providing community resources and information to families.
• LA County Department of Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided vaccines and health services at Health & Wellness Fair for community members.
• West Coast DentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided free dental check-ups at Health & Wellness Fair.
• CWDLminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAuditing firm that presented district's audited financial statements for Measure K and Measure QS. Issued unmodified opinions (highest level of assurance) for both bond measures.
• WolfBrownminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent research and evaluation firm that reviewed and verified BCME Award applications for The NAMM Foundation.
• Claremont Graduate UniversityminorOthersEducational institution where new superintendent Dr. Greg Gero earned his doctorate in education.
• California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)minorOthersProfessional organization through which new superintendent Dr. Greg Gero holds Certified Chief Business Official credential.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Montebello Unified School District: Larger K-12 unified district in adjacent service area with comparable bilingual learner population and California LCFF funding structure, though broader in scale and program portfolio.
• El Rancho Unified School District: K-12 unified district serving Pico Rivera area, geographically adjacent with similar demographic profile and California public school funding model.
• ABC Unified School District: Adjacent K-12 unified district serving Cerritos, Artesia, and Hawaiian Gardens with similar bilingual programming and community-schools approach under the same California LCFF framework.
• Downey Unified School District: Adjacent K-12 unified district with similar community demographics and bilingual education emphasis, operating under comparable California funding mechanisms.
• Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District: Larger K-12 unified district serving adjacent communities; comparable in bilingual programming, dual-language immersion, and LCFF funding model but broader grade span and scale.

Direct peers

• La Habra City School District: K-8 district in northern Orange County with comparable enrollment scale and similar LCFF-dependent operating model.
• East Whittier City School District: Adjacent K-8 district serving East Whittier with comparable enrollment scale, dual-language and VAPA offerings, and overlapping feeder patterns into Whittier Union High School District. Directly comparable in size, governance structure, and programmatic mix.
• Lowell Joint School District: Neighboring TK-8 district in southeast LA County with similar ADA scale, California LCFF funding model, and community-schools orientation — directly comparable in mission and scale.
• Little Lake City School District: Santa Fe Springs-area K-8 district with overlapping service area and similar student demographics, providing directly comparable K-8 educational programming and community engagement models.
• Los Nietos School District: Small K-8 district adjacent to South Whittier serving similar Whittier-area communities with comparable funding structure and bilingual learner population.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/southwhittiersd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries6 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 South Whittier Elementary School District