Our Impact
The Alliance for Education is the only organization of its kind serving all of Seattle Public Schools. We work as a convener, connector and collaborator, stewarding philanthropic funding, innovation and expertise to ensure that every public school in Seattle has the community support they need. The Alliance’s work is designed to challenge systemic inequities in public schools and create a more equitable and just education system that allows all Seattle students to thrive.
Our School District
Fast Facts & Figures
49,240 Students
(School Year 2024-25)
4,266 Educators
(School Year 2024-25)
405 National Board Certified Teachers
(School Year 2024-25)
Average of 12.5 years of teaching experience
(School Year 2024-25)
104 Schools
(School Year 2024-25)
158 Languages or Dialects Spoken
(Among Families, School Year 2024-25)
153 Countries of Origin
(Among Families, School Year 2024-25)
86.5% 4-Year Graduation Rate
(Class of 2024)
Student Race and Ethnicity
45% White
15% Hispanic / Latino;
14% Black / African-American;
13% Multi-Racial;
12% Asian;
1% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander;
1% Native American;
Commitment to Racial Equity
The Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA)
The Office of AAMA was established to reimagine and build a school system that intentionally cultivates the strength of Black boys and teens, ensuring each and every Black student recognizes their own potential and feels supported in their education. The Office was established with philanthropic funding stewarded by the Alliance, exceeding our initial goal and raising a total of $4M. The Alliance’s fundraising support concluded in 2024.
Seattle Teacher Residency
60%
The Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) recruits, prepares and retains high quality elementary and special education teachers for students furthest from educational justice in Seattle Public Schools. Since the program started in 2012, over 60% of STR graduates identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color), much higher than the school district average.
Educator & Principal Awards
Each year, the Alliance administers three different awards and grants that celebrate principals, educators and staff who advance racial equity and educational justice in their school communities.
Investments
Office of African American Male Achievement
The Office of African American Male Achievement was established to reimagine and build a school system that intentionally cultivates the strength of Black boys and teens, ensuring each and every Black student recognizes their own potential and feels supported in their education. By listening to the expressed concerns of Black male students, AAMA will create a framework that aligns work and practices across the district to ensure SPS has the culture, conditions, staff competencies, and community connections in place for all Black boys and teens to excel in their education.
Educator and School Awards
The Alliance for Education gives numerous awards to principals, educators and school-based staff across the district each year to those who tirelessly to support students and have proven to advance racial equity. One of these awards is the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence that spotlights Seattle Public Schools principals who advance educational justice and racial equity in their schools. Every year, two $25,000 grants are awarded to selected principals from community nominations.
Community Partnerships
School Fiscal Services
The Alliance serves as the fiscal sponsor for PTAs, booster clubs and school community organizations across the city that raise funds on behalf of students and help bolster and maintain the quality of our schools. Providing school fiscal services allows school serving organizations to focus their efforts and resources on fundraising, rather than administration and finance.
Covid-19 Response
As students and teachers quickly adapted to remote learning during the pandemic, the Alliance worked in partnership with Seattle Public Schools and engaged with community partners and donors to meet SPS families’ most critical needs through the Education Equity Fund.
Innovative Programs
Right Now Needs Fund
We know when students have their basic needs met, they are more likely to succeed within and beyond the classroom. The Right Now Needs Fund is a one-of-a-kind program that works at the individual school level to address the basic needs of students and families across all Seattle Public Schools. The fund ensures students can fully participate in classroom activities by covering the costs of clothing, meals and shelter that are not included in individual school budgets, but are necessary for students to thrive. Supported by generous investments from Amazon since 2018, the fund continues to meet student needs into its sixth school year.
Seattle Teacher Residency
The Alliance founded the Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) program in 2012 in partnership with the University of Washington, Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools to recruit, prepare and retain high quality elementary and special education teachers for students furthest from educational justice in Seattle Public Schools. The 14-month program is intentionally designed to recruit and prepare future educators who share a passion for educational justice and reflect the diversity of SPS students.
Learn More About the Program | Make a Donation to the Program
Annual Reports
2024 was a remarkable year at the Alliance. Our annual report highlights the tangible impact of our programs, providing in-depth data and highlighting the successes of real students and educators. Please see below and download the comprehensive report for 2024.
2023 was a remarkable year at the Alliance. Our annual report highlights the tangible impact of our programs, providing in-depth data and highlighting the successes of real students and educators. Please see below and download the comprehensive report for 2023.
Our 2022 annual report highlighted the tangible impact of our programs, providing in-depth data and highlighting the successes of real students and educators up through December 2022. Please see below and download the comprehensive report for 2022.
Our 2021 annual report highlighted the tangible impact of our programs, providing in-depth data and highlighting the successes of real students and educators up through December 2021. Please see below and download the comprehensive report for 2021.
News Coverage
