What Ludington Area School District does

Ludington Area School District (LASD) is a public K-12 school district and political subdivision of the State of Michigan, governed by an elected Board of Education and headquartered at 809 E Tinkham Avenue in Ludington, Mason County, Michigan. The district operates five schools plus the Ludington Early Childhood Center: Ludington Elementary School (PK-5), OJ DeJonge Middle School (6-8), Ludington High School (9-12), Oriole Academy (work-based learning), and the Early Childhood Center. LASD serves preschool through 12th-grade students across the Ludington area, with selective non-resident enrollment via the School of Choice program.

The district's core technology stack is conventional K-12 edtech: PowerSchool for student information and online enrollment, Canvas LMS for grades 3-12, Google Workspace for productivity, PikMyKid for arrival/dismissal, EZRouting/EZ Arrival for bus tracking, BrightArrow for notifications, and SafeSchools for staff compliance. A district-wide 1:1 iPad program, originally funded by a 2012 ten-year technology bond, supplies each student with a device; in 2026 the district began liquidating end-of-life iPads to families ($140 for 9th-gen units, $40 for 6th-gen units). Curriculum offerings include the Connect4Learning preschool curriculum, a district-wide Professional Learning Communities framework, and Project-Based Learning training delivered through CBD Consulting. The Cyborioles robotics team (F.I.R.S.T. Robotics) and MSU Extension partnership on Tech Wizards provide STEM enrichment.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through non-commercial, tax-funded channels: Michigan State School Aid (per-pupil foundation allowance), local property taxes, USDA child nutrition program reimbursement through the Michigan School Meals Program (universal free breakfast and lunch for 2025-2026), federal Title and special education grants, modest tuition from LASD Preschool for ages 3-4, after-school care fees, and philanthropic contributions via the Oriole Foundation and the Lakeshore Food 4 Kids weekend backpack program (serving ~150 students weekly at $200 per sponsored child per year). Go-to-market is community-led: the district relies on its website (lasd.net), Facebook page, email newsletters, PowerSchool parent portal, and embedded community partnerships (Mason County Family Link with 11+ partner agencies) to serve families. Customer segments are PK-12 students, parents/guardians, early-childhood families, and food-insecure students receiving supplementary support.

Name

Ludington Area School District

Legal name

Ludington Area School District

Website

https://www.lasd.net

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ludington Area School District is a Michigan public K-12 school district operating five schools and an Early Childhood Center that serve preschool through 12th-grade students in the Ludington/Mason County area, funded by state school aid, local property taxes, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ), Academic Tutoring Services (Subject-Specific & General) (EDAJALAA)

Keywords

• Public K-12 education
• Preschool programs
• Student transportation
• Special education services
• School nutrition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ludington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. State School Aid Funding: Primary funding from Michigan State School Aid Act, based on student enrollment and per-pupil foundation allowances.
2. Local Property Tax Revenue: Local property taxes contribute to district operational funding.
3. Federal Child Nutrition Programs: USDA child nutrition programs providing free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students during the 2025-2026 school year through Michigan School Meals Program.
4. Technology Bond Initiative: Ten-year technology bond passed in 2012 to fund district-wide technology infrastructure and 1:1 iPad program.
5. Tuition-Based Preschool Programs: LASD Preschool programs for children ages 3-4, including tuition-based options beyond grant-funded slots.
6. Oriole Foundation Grants: Private foundation raises funds through events like Dancing with the Local Stars to support educational programs and initiatives. Has raised nearly $280,000 from signature events.
7. Lakeshore Food 4 Kids Donations: Community-funded weekend backpack program for food-insecure students. $200 covers one student for entire school year.
8. Education Benefit Form Programs: Families encouraged to complete forms which help secure additional funding and may qualify students for additional benefits beyond universal free meals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ludington Area School District provides public K-12 education across five schools (Ludington Elementary PK-5, OJ DeJonge Middle School 6-8, Ludington High School 9-12, Ludington Early Childhood Center, and Oriole Academy). Core services include classroom instruction, preschool programs, school meals, student transportation, special education, athletics, and a 1:1 iPad technology program supported by Canvas LMS.

Product overview

Ludington Area School District operates as a traditional public K-12 school district with a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is the K-12 education system across multiple schools (Ludington Elementary PK-5, OJ DeJonge Middle School 6-8, Ludington High School 9-12, Ludington Early Childhood Center, and Oriole Academy). This core is augmented by specialized modules including a 1:1 iPad program (device initiative), Canvas Learning Management System (digital instruction platform), Connect4Learning curriculum (preschool program), Lakeshore Food 4 Kids (food security service), Oriole Foundation (grant/fundraising support), and Cyborioles Robotics (extracurricular). The district also provides ancillary services including transportation, food service (Birdfeeder Cafe), school health, and special education programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ludington Area Schools K-12 Education
• LASD Preschool Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• OJ DeJonge Middle School named PLC Promising Practices School 2024 - only school in Michigan to earn this honor
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mason County Family Link PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative between Ludington Area Schools, Mason County Central, Mason County Eastern, Gateway to Success Academy, United Way of Mason County, West Michigan Community Mental Health System, Department of Health and Human Services, Northwest Michigan Health Services, Staircase Youth Services, West Michigan Community College and Pennies from Heaven Foundation. Supports student achievement by bringing agencies into school settings with staff on-site.
• FiveCap Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner referenced on Ludington Early Childhood Center page.
• Community Foundation for Mason CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages donations for Lakeshore Food 4 Kids program. Donations can be made through their portal designating LF4K as the specific fund.
• Feeding AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational food bank network source for Lakeshore Food 4 Kids weekend backpack program food supplies.
• Lakeshore Food ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner that collaborated with founders Sara Ewing, Carrie Brandt, and Tara Autrey to begin Lakeshore Food 4 Kids in 2016.
• Pennies From Heaven FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatched all monies raised at Oriole Foundation's first Dancing with the Local Stars event in 2016 for a grand total of nearly $280,000.
• United Way of Mason CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mason County Family Link collaborative. Lynne Russell serves as Executive Director and coordinates Family Link services.
• Safe Harbor Credit UnionminorOthersMason County School Employees Credit Union dissolved October 1, 2024; member accounts transferred to Safe Harbor Credit Union at 5511 US-10, Ludington.
• Communications By Design (CBD Consulting)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosted PBL Academy training for Ludington teachers on Project-Based Learning methodology. Located in Ada, Michigan.
• MSU Extension OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with OJ DeJonge Middle School for Tech Wizards after-school STEM program, providing personnel guidance for robotics and technology activities.
• Corewell School Nursing ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with district to provide school nursing services. Beth Standish serves as school nurse supporting student health and wellness.
• West Michigan Community Mental Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mason County Family Link providing on-site mental health services through Site Team Clinician for students and families.
• Oriole FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate foundation established December 2003 to support educational programs. Raises funds through events like Dancing with the Local Stars. Awards teacher grants in spring and fall cycles.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Gateway to Success Academy: Alternative education program co-listed with LASD in Mason County Family Link. Comparable in serving Mason County students but specialized in alternative/at-risk learners rather than the traditional K-12 model.

Direct peers

• Hart Public Schools: Small rural Oceana County, Michigan district near Ludington with similar size and demographics. Comparable Michigan per-pupil aid exposure and rural school district operational profile.
• Shelby Public Schools: Oceana County public K-12 district of similar scale to LASD. Operates under the same Michigan school aid funding formulas and similar rural West Michigan demographics.
• Manistee Area Public Schools: Adjacent-county Michigan public school district of similar size serving PK-12 in a comparable lakeside rural community. Shares Mason County's funding structure and rural enrollment dynamics.
• Mason County Eastern Schools: Smaller public K-12 district also in Mason County and a Family Link co-partner. Highly comparable rural Michigan district structure and student demographics.
• Pentwater Public Schools: Very small K-12 public district on the lakeshore near Ludington. Comparable small-district funding mechanics and School of Choice dynamics within Michigan's foundation allowance framework.
• Mason County Central Schools: Neighboring public K-12 district in Mason County, Michigan, co-partner with LASD in Mason County Family Link. Operates similar grade-band schools in the same labor and funding market, making it the most direct operational comparable.

Broad incumbents

• Muskegon Area Intermediate School District: Intermediate school district in nearby Muskegon County providing specialized programs, special education, and career-technical services to constituent districts. Comparable as a larger regional education-services incumbent in western Michigan.
• West Shore Educational Service Agency: Regional intermediate/educational service agency covering Mason and surrounding counties. Provides shared services and special education support to LASD and other area districts, functioning as a broader incumbent operating in the same ecosystem.
• Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS): Larger regional Michigan public school district serving the Traverse City area. Operates the same Michigan per-pupil funding model but with materially greater scale, broader program offerings, and a wider labor pool — useful comparable for LASD's growth trajectory.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LudingtonASD

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Ludington Area School District