Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the United States, has been recognized as a 2025 AWS Champions Award winner for its strategic and forward-thinking cloud transformation. By migrating key systems to Cloud, LAUSD has strengthened its cybersecurity posture, improved operational efficiency, and laid the groundwork for generative AI innovation — all in service of its nearly 500,000 students, families, and staff.

Project Overview
LAUSD’s cloud strategy is centered on protecting sensitive student and staff data, while also making school operations more responsive and efficient. The district migrated major business applications to Cloud to take advantage of robust cloud security controls and better threat detection capabilities across its vast digital infrastructure.

Cloud-based analytics now help district leaders make smarter, data-informed decisions to better support students. And building on this secure foundation, LAUSD is developing intelligent virtual assistants powered by generative AI. These are designed to deliver fast, personalized support to families and staff on everything from enrollment to academic programs and district services.

Challenges Addressed: Security, Responsiveness, and Digital Equity
As one of the largest public education systems in the country, LAUSD faced a unique set of challenges:

• A complex IT environment requiring strong cybersecurity measures 
• Growing needs for fast, accurate communication with families and guardians 
• The need to reduce infrastructure overhead while improving service delivery 
• Pressure to modernize legacy systems in a cost-effective, scalable way 

Their strategy addressed both the technical and human sides of modernization, prioritizing cybersecurity while enhancing the district’s ability to serve its community in an increasingly digital world.

Results: Operational Gains, Secure Data, and AI Readiness
LAUSD’s AWS-powered transformation has already delivered measurable results:

• Up to 70% reduction in deployment time for workloads using automation 
• 70% less non-production infrastructure needed for development environments 
• 50% reduction in time spent managing infrastructure, freeing up valuable IT resources 
• 40% faster recovery time for unhealthy workloads, improving system resilience 

These improvements are enabling LAUSD to innovate faster and deliver more responsive digital services without compromising security or reliability.

A National Model for K–12 Cloud Transformation
Los Angeles Unified is setting a new standard for large, urban school systems navigating digital transformation. With a secure foundation and a clear vision for AI integration, LAUSD is modernizing its infrastructure, enriching communication with families, and positioning itself for the future of K–12 education.