YouthBuild Charter School of California

What YouthBuild Charter School of California does

YouthBuild Charter School of California (YCSC) is a free, WASC-accredited public charter high school founded in 2008, serving opportunity youth ages 16-24 across 16 sites in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Fresno Counties. The school operates a distinctive school-within-program model, embedding instruction within partner YouthBuild and workforce development organizations, where prospective students must first join a partner program and complete a R.I.S.E. orientation before enrollment. The core offering is an accredited high school diploma delivered through project-based learning with year-round open enrollment and one-on-one teacher/counselor support, paired with vocational training pathways including CAMT (Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician) certification, Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) construction pre-apprenticeship, culinary arts, recording arts (via 4Learning), film/music academy, and conservation corps training.

The school is operated by 70 full-time faculty and staff and has produced 6,700+ graduates at a 71% graduation rate, which is significantly above state averages for alternative education settings. The school's technology stack is modest: an Edlio-powered CMS website, an AI-powered Virtual School Assistant chatbot launched in June 2026, and a Virtual Community Resource Center connecting students and families to housing, food, legal, and financial services. Supplemental services include wraparound counseling, Community Action Projects, and partnerships with industry bodies (National Apartment Association, Building Trades National Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Ironworkers Local Union 433) for apprenticeship readiness.

YCSC is structured as a nonprofit public charter school with EIN 26-2018580, rated by Charity Navigator. It maintains a relationship with YouthBuild Global, the headquarters of the YouthBuild movement, and is funded primarily through California per-pupil ADA state funding, supplemented by Department of Labor grants routed through YouthBuild Global and donations (e.g., Burlington Stores nationwide fundraising campaigns). The GTM motion is community-led—students are recruited through partner program referrals, social media, LA Metro transit advertising, and word-of-mouth. The leadership team is led by Founder/Executive Director Phil Matero, Superintendent Rudy Cuevas, and School Principal Tizoc Brenes.

Name

YouthBuild Charter School of California

Legal name

YouthBuild Charter School of California

Website

https://youthbuildcharter.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

YouthBuild Charter School of California is a free public charter high school operating 16 sites across Southern California, serving out-of-school youth ages 16-24 with an accredited diploma, project-based learning, and vocational training pathways including construction, culinary, and CAMT certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Education and Youth Workforce Development

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)

Keywords

• Charter high school
• Alternative education
• Vocational training programs
• Apprenticeship readiness
• Youth workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil ADA Funding: Public charter school funded primarily through Average Daily Attendance (ADA) per-pupil state funding. Senate Bill 579 sought to stabilize funding by using 2019-20 school ADA as the revenue calculator for 2021-22 and 2022-23 (hold-harmless provision during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YouthBuild Charter School of California is a free public charter high school offering an accredited diploma through a project-based, social-justice-rooted learning model for students ages 16-24. It pairs core academics with vocational training pathways in construction pre-apprenticeship (MC3), Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT), culinary arts, recording arts, film/music academy, and conservation corps, delivered across 16 partner program sites in Southern California. The school also provides wraparound counseling, housing and crisis support services, and a Virtual Community Resource Center for students and families.

Product overview

YouthBuild Charter School of California operates as a free, accredited public charter high school with a project-based learning model serving students ages 16-24 across 16 sites in Southern California. The school's core offering is its high school diploma program, which includes small class sizes, counseling support, and job training. The institution provides multiple specialized job training programs including the CAMT (Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician) certification, Construction Career Pathways Training using the MC3 curriculum, Culinary & Hospitality Arts, Recording Arts via 4Learning partnership, Film and Music Academy, and Conservation Corps programs. Additional digital services include a Virtual School Assistant AI chatbot and a Virtual Community Resource Center connecting students and families with housing, food, legal, and financial support resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YouthBuild Charter School of California (Core Educational Program) Free, WASC-accredited public charter high school with project-based learning for students ages 16-24, delivered through small classes with one-on-one teacher and counselor support, integrated vocational training, and Community Action Projects across 16 partner program sites in Southern California.
• CAMT (Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician) Program Free Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician certification program offered via online distance learning with in-person labs at Apartment Association of Greater LA facilities; covers electrical, HVAC, painting, construction, mechanical, and appliance services and earns students 10 credits plus paid internship placement.
• Construction Career Pathways Training (MC3) Free construction pre-apprenticeship training implementing the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), preparing students for careers in the building trades via a 120-hour curriculum with apprenticeship readiness training aligned to industry standards.
• Culinary & Hospitality Arts Training Hands-on culinary arts training at select sites teaching food preparation, handling, safety, community nutrition, and hospitality knowledge.
• 4Learning Recording Arts Program Recording arts training delivered through a partnership with 4Learning at select sites, covering instruments, song structure, MIDI setup, mixing, and professional music industry skills and mentorship.
• Film and Music Academy Film and content creation training at the Home Sweet Home YouthBuild Mid-City site where students learn from established YouTubers and content creators.
• Conservation Corps Training Conservation Corps program offering paid opportunities in public lands conservation, recycling, solar, and environmental projects at select partner sites.
• Virtual School Assistant (AI Chatbot) AI-powered virtual assistant available on the school's website providing instant answers to questions about programs, schedules, policies, and staff contacts 24/7 in multiple languages.
• Virtual Community Resource Center Online hub providing community resource connections for students and families, including housing, food, transportation, legal services, financial assistance, and other support resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 71% graduation rate across the student body
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• R.U.T.H. YouthBuild (ACE's RUTH YouthBuild)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanoga Park site host. Partner program where YouthBuild Charter School of California operates a school site. Offers paid construction training through Department of Labor grant funding. Address: 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91371.
• Compton YouthBuild (EntreNous Youth Empowerment Services Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompton site host. Featured in The Imprint and LA Mag for construction pre-apprenticeship program. Graduate Rafael Alvarado became a 4th-level carpenter apprentice and homeowner. Offers construction pre-apprenticeship, culinary arts (National Restaurant Association Impactful Bites Program), and paid construction training. Address: 1108 N. Oleander Avenue, Compton, CA 90222.
• New Earth YouthBuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulver City site host at 12100 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066. Partnership to provide educational services at the New Earth YouthBuild program location.
• LA CAUSA YouthBuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast LA site host. Offers culinary arts training under Chef Orlando Hutcherson. Community Action Project themes have included access to healthy food. RAPSA Courage Award winner Jaqueline Ramirez graduated from this site. Address: 1011 Goodrich Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90022.
• San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps (SGVCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEl Monte site host (also serves Pomona site). Offers conservation corps with paid opportunities in public lands conservation, recycling, solar, and environmental projects. Also offers recording arts through 4Learning partnership. Address: 4026 Peck Rd, El Monte, CA 91732.
• Fresno EOC Local Conservation CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFresno site host. Offers conservation corps, paid construction training, and conservation work experience. Featured on Fox 26 News and Univision Fresno for anti-dumping initiative. Featured graduate Leonel Miranda. Address: 1805 East California Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.
• SBWIB YouthBuild (South Bay Workforce Investment Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLennox site host. Offers paid construction training. Lennox campus underwent beautification including new signage. Address: 5021 Lennox Blvd, Lennox, CA 90304.
• Home Sweet Home YouthBuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMid-City LA site host. Offers CAMT training, construction training, paid job placement through AYE South Los Angeles, Freedom Farms urban farming program in partnership with Partnership for Growth LA, and a Film and Music Academy. Address: 4103 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018.
• Rising Stars Business Academy (RSBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoreno Valley site host. Offers recording arts through 4Learning partnership. RSBA students produce music in studio. Executive Director Alicia Berridge featured in Press Enterprise. STEM Lab ribbon cutting held in March 2025 for Advanced Manufacturing CTE pathway. Address: 22500 Town Circle, Suite 2099, Moreno Valley, CA 92553.
• Dreamcatcher Community Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwalk site host. Provides workforce development and community services. Address: 10931 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, CA 90650.
• Schemath Education Foundation Youth Development TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOntario (Montclair) site host. Provides youth development and job training services. Address: 5472 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763.
• Antelope Valley YouthBuild (ACT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalmdale site host. Serves ages 18-29. Offers CAMT, apprenticeship readiness (ACT Apprenticeship Readiness Academy), Ironworker apprenticeship readiness (with Ironworkers Local Union 433), and transitional housing through Palmdale Dream Center for ages 18-25. Has produced documentary 'Open the Doors of Hope' and hosts podcast 'One Mic.' Address: 38626 9th St. East, Palmdale, CA 93550.
• CORE - A Community CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPomona site host. Community collaboration organization providing educational services at the Pomona location. Address: 363 S Park Ave., Suite 104, Pomona, CA 91766.
• YouthBuild Inland Empire (YBIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Bernardino site host. New STEM Lab ribbon cutting in March 2025 marking soft launch of Advanced Manufacturing CTE pathway. Address: 624 W. 4th St., Suite B, San Bernardino, CA 92410.
• Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth LA site host, located at LA Trade Tech College campus. Offers paid construction training. Featured in CALÓ News for graduating system-impacted youth at a site located inside a former juvenile center. Address: 2215 S Grand Ave, Building F5 3rd Floor Room 301, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
• Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) / FREE LA HighcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFREE LA High site host. Operates inside a former juvenile center. System-impacted youth graduate at this site. Offers recording arts through 4Learning partnership. Address: 7625 S. Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001.
• Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for CAMT program hands-on training labs. Students complete Maintenance Lab at AAGLA facilities as part of the CAMT certification program. YCSC works closely with property owners through AAGLA for CAMT work experience and direct placement opportunities.
• 4LearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationMusic and recording arts training partner. Provides hands-on training in recording arts to students at Studio 4 LA (Koreatown), Youth Justice Coalition, San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps, LA CAUSA YouthBuild, and Rising Stars Business Academy. Students learn state-of-the-art recording software and receive music industry mentorship.
• Ironworkers Local Union 433minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ironworkers Local Union 433 and Advancing Communities Together for Ironworker apprenticeship readiness. Students who complete ACT Apprenticeship Readiness Academy can interview for Ironworker apprenticeship positions.
• Partnership for Growth LAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Home Sweet Home YouthBuild's Freedom Farms urban farming and community garden program at the Mid-City site.
• YouthBuild GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouthBuild Charter School of California has a documented relationship with YouthBuild Global (the headquarters for the YouthBuild movement). Department of Labor grant funding is awarded through YouthBuild Global. Burlington Stores fundraising campaign benefits YouthBuild Global with a significant portion benefiting local YouthBuild programs including YCSC.
• Burlington StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFourth annual in-store customer fundraising campaign at Burlington Stores nationwide (April 6 – May 11). Donations support YouthBuild Global with a significant portion benefiting local YouthBuild programs including YouthBuild Charter School of California.
• National Apartment Association (NAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAA provides the CAMT (Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician) curriculum used by YCSC. The curriculum is certified by ANSI and covers customer service, Federal Fair Housing, drywall, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliance repair, and other maintenance skills.
• Building Trades National Apprenticeship and Training CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped and approved the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) used at YouthBuild Charter School of California sites for construction pre-apprenticeship training.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ASPIRA Charter Schools: ASPIRA operates charter schools serving opportunity youth in California with an emphasis on college and career readiness for underrepresented populations. Its student demographics, alternative-pedagogy approach, and California charter authorization overlap materially with YCSC.
• Pathways in Education: Pathways in Education operates a network of alternative charter high schools in California serving students seeking credit recovery and flexible scheduling. Like YCSC, it is a per-pupil-funded public charter alternative high school targeting opportunity youth.
• SIATech: SIATech operates dropout-recovery public charter high schools across multiple states with a mission closely aligned to YCSC's opportunity-youth focus. Both organizations serve students who have left traditional high school and prioritize graduation plus career pathways.
• Odyssey Academy (Los Angeles): Odyssey Academy is an alternative-education charter school serving students in the Los Angeles area who have struggled in traditional settings. It competes with YCSC for the same population of opportunity youth in overlapping Southern California geographies.
• Ednovate: Ednovate is a Southern California charter management organization operating high schools focused on college readiness for first-generation students. While slightly more college-oriented, it competes with YCSC for similar alternative-education charter students in the Los Angeles region.
• CHAMPS Charter High School: CHAMPS Charter High School is a California public charter high school focused on credit recovery and alternative education for at-promise students. Its target population, alternative-pedagogy approach, and California charter funding model closely mirror YCSC's.

Broad incumbents

• Green Dot Public Schools California: Green Dot is one of the largest charter management organizations in California, operating multiple alternative and traditional public charter high schools in Los Angeles. It is a broader incumbent competitor whose alternative-education sites overlap YCSC's target geography.
• KIPP Northern California: KIPP Northern California operates a network of public charter schools serving students from underserved communities across the Bay Area and Northern California. It is a broader charter-school incumbent with a similar college-and-career readiness mission, though serving different geographies than YCSC.
• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: Alliance is a large Los Angeles-based charter management organization operating multiple alternative and college-prep high schools. It is a broader incumbent serving overlapping alternative-education populations but at significantly greater scale than YCSC.
• Celerity Educational Group: Celerity Educational Group operates a network of public charter schools across California serving a predominantly alternative-education and at-risk student population. It is a broader incumbent competitor with overlapping student demographics and charter funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ybcharter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcTNCL2jfCD-7YkUni1py-A
• Facebookfacebook.com/YouthBuildCharterSchoolofCalifornia
• Instagraminstagram.com/ybcharter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 YouthBuild Charter School of California