www.powerfulschools.org

Since its inception Powerful Schools has proven to be one of the most creative and effective models of community collaboration in the Seattle area. This nationally recognized organization is truly an agent of transformation and enrichment for their schools, communities, and most importantly their children. The Kirlin Foundation supports the professional development of teachers in their Powerful Arts and Powerful Writers programs. Please read on, and visit their website. Better yet, find a way to support this important work, and see what it does for your heart.

Over the years Powerful Schools has evolved into an award-winning non-profit that delivers stimulating, multi-year, school-wide academic programs integrated into public elementary classrooms.  We do this by engaging all parts of the school community to help children learn and develop academically, creatively and socially.

Powerful Schools’ core five programs funnel vital resources into schools, including academic expertise, skilled mentors and tutors, and integrated writing, arts and reading curriculum and ongoing involvement and support from neighboring business and communities. 

Powerful Writers
The region’s only in-class professional development in writing instruction strengthens the skills of teachers and students side-by-side.  Daily writing workshops also bring professional writers and trained volunteers into the classroom.

Powerful Arts
Artists-in-residence collaborate with teachers to merge hands-on arts projects with the core curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Powerful Readers
Trained tutors work one-to-one with struggling early readers, applying a proven model that brings most students to grade level in one year.

Community Schools
After-school classes and homework centers extend the learning day for students and invite the whole community into the schools to enjoy academic, multi-cultural arts and recreational opportunities.

Powerful Buddies
Dedicated volunteers from the community adopt student ‘buddies’ to meet one-to-one each week to assist with social and academic progress. 

Powerful Schools is currently serving nine elementary schools in south Seattle, which contain some of the most racially and economically diverse neighborhoods in Seattle, WA.  In addition to the four  schools mentioned previously, Powerful Schools serves Beacon Hill, Dunlap, Graham Hill, The New School and Arbor Heights. 

Children from the nine elementary schools, their families and people in the surrounding communities comprise Powerful Schools’ core service community. Of the almost 2,730 children who attend these schools, 59% qualify for free or reduced lunch; 81% are of color (1.5% American Indian, 30% Asian/Pacific Islander, 12.5% Hispanic, 19% White, 37% Black); 42% are from single parent households; 26% are English as a Second Language learners; over 10% are in Special Education.  The families within our schools speak eighteen different languages, and up to 35 percent of our students are highly transient, changing schools each year.

Contact Information

Powerful Schools
3301 South Horton Street
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 722-5543
powerfulschools@powerfulschools.org
www.powerfulschools.org