A Pivotal Play
K12 Transforms Math Homework into $384 Million Company
Why is this a Pivotal Play?
The idea behind K12 Inc. came to founder Ron Packard while he was helping his daughter with her math homework. Packard turned to the Internet to find additional resources to supplement her curriculum but was disappointed with the results. He knew that there were parents and educators just like him and capitalized on the idea. More than a decade later, K12 is now a leader in online education. The company sells an online curriculum and proprietary software developed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade that are used by virtual public schools, traditional public schools, and home school families.
"Kids want online learning, they want flexibility and engaging content. When you have that student demand, you're going to grow," Packard said in a recent interview with dcTechSource.com. K12 has seen its revenue climb to $384.5 million by:
- Tapping into massive market potential of more than 58 million K-12 students
- Expanding its offerings by partnering with Blackboard, Inc. to reach the higher education market
- Investing in overseas markets like Web International English, a Chinese company that teaches English