Success story
See how Zen replaced traditional agencies with a more flexible, cost-effective model
The Pacific Charter Institute (PCI) is a charter school network providing tuition-free personalized learning options for Pre-K through 12th-grade students through homeschool, independent study, and school sites in Northern California. As PCI continues to expand its independent study and site-based programming, demand for in-person staffing has grown, particularly for educators.
Prior to partnering with Zen, PCI relied on traditional staffing agencies to supplement internal hiring when filling these roles. While educator quality and responsiveness were generally acceptable, the model became increasingly difficult to sustain. High hourly rates and rigid daily billing structures drove up costs, while steep temp-to-perm fees limited PCI’s ability to hire exceptional agency educators full-time. Limited visibility into staffing spend also made it difficult to track costs across schools and manage reporting efficiently.
Together, these challenges led PCI to seek a new solution that could serve as a true partner rather than a transactional agency.
Lower, More Flexible Pricing
Zen delivered rates approximately 30% lower than traditional agencies, without sacrificing educator pay or quality. In addition, true hourly billing allows PCI to pay only for the time Zen’s paraprofessionals are needed rather than fixed half- or full-day rates, reducing unnecessary spend and giving the team greater control over staffing costs.
Flexible Pathway to Permanent Hiring
Zen supports long-term staff stability by removing buyout fees after one year. This allows PCI to evaluate paraprofessionals in the classroom and transition strong performers into full-time roles, creating continuity for students while reducing reliance on ongoing temporary placements.
Thoughtful Educator Matching and Support
PCI’s dedicated Account Manager takes a highly hands-on approach to staffing, focusing on paraprofessionals who are adaptable, proactive, and comfortable supporting students in a more independent, technology-enabled environment. Ongoing communication with school leaders, combined with feedback provided through the Zen platform and rapid support when issues arise, ensures placements are continuously refined and consistently strong across PCI’s schools.
Lower Staffing Costs
PCI has reduced overall staffing spend through its partnership with Zen by eliminating traditional agency markups and buyout fees, allowing more resources to be redirected toward supporting students.
Reliable, High-Quality educators
Zen provides PCI with consistent access to educators who are reliable, adaptable, and effective in the classroom. This consistency helps ensure students receive steady support from familiar educators, strengthening relationships and maintaining continuity in their learning.
High Fill Rates and Fast Coverage
PCI uses Zen for both short-term and long-term educator staffing across its schools. Roles are filled quickly and reliably, with a 96%+ fill rate and 80% of short-term roles filled in under five minutes, helping PCI’s school sites secure support without disruption.
"Partnering with Zen has made a positive difference in our daily school environment. They are incredibly responsive and reliable, and I have confidence that our staffing needs will be met on time, even when I have to make last minute requests. Knowing I can count on Zen to find coverage quickly gives me peace of mind and allows our staff to stay focused on supporting students and maintaining consistency in the classroom. Zen’s responsiveness and personalized support make them feel like a true partner in helping our school meet its needs."
Jessica Phelps, Principal
Impact where it matters most
96%
Paraprofessional Fill Rate
for short-term roles
80%
Roles filled in under 5 minutes
for short-term roles
30%+
Cost reduction
for paraprofessional roles
We’re already supporting schools nationwide. And if we’re not in your city yet, we can be. We’ll open where you need us.
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2026
Zen Educate