Resources for Families
People often call us with questions about enrolling their children in Seattle schools, finding scholarships, or applying for school jobs. Unfortunately, these questions fall outside our area of expertise, but we can provide you with links to people who may be able to answer these and other education-related questions:
Key Resources
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- Seattle Public Schools – enrollment information, individual schools and school calendars, job opportunities, and more. (206) 252-0010 web site
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- Seattle Public Schools District Ombudsman – an independent, confidential resource to assist Seattle Public Schools parents and community members resolve school-related issues when normal procedures have failed. (206) 252-0529 web site
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- Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) – Oversees K-12 public education in Washington. Administers basic education programs and implements education reform in the state's 295 school districts. Website provides school demographics, student scores on statewide tests, K-12 job opportunities, teacher certification, and more. (360) 725-6000 web site
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- Washington State Office of Education Ombudsman (OEO) – resolves complaints, disputes, and problems between families and Washington elementary and secondary public schools in all areas that affect student learning. Services are free, confidential, and available to families and students from K-12th grade. Interpreter services available. (866) 297-2597 web site
Useful Links
| Resource | Description | Focus | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Education | A nonprofit organization that helps ensure the academic success of all students in Seattle Public Schools. Every child can achieve. Setting high expectations is key. | Education Advocacy | web site |
| Child Care Resources & Referral Network | Supports families and caregivers, shapes policy, and promotes the learning and development of Washington State youth through a network of local child care resources and referral programs. | Early Learning | web site |
| Coalition for Community Schools | Coalition advocating for community schools as the vehicle for strengthening schools, families, and communities to improve student learning. Includes national, state and local organizations in education K-16, youth development, community planning and development, family support, health and human services, government and philanthropy. | Education Advocacy | web site |
| College Answer | Information from Sallie Mae on scholarships and student loans. | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| College Board | Nonprofit membership organization providing students with a path to college opportunities, including financial support and scholarships. Information on college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| College Success Foundation | Provides support and scholarships to inspire underserved, low-income students finish high school and college. | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| College.gov | Built by the US Dept. of Education in collaboration with students to be a go-to source for information and resources about planning, preparing and paying for post-secondary education. | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| Community Center for Educational Results (CCER) | A nonprofit organization dedicated to dramatically improving education results in South Seattle and South King County. Staffs the Roadmap Project. | Education Advocacy | web site |
| Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) | More than 1500 federally supported teaching and learning resources from dozens of federal agencies, with new sites added regularly. | Resources, National | web site |
| Federal Student Aid | Free information, guidance and tools for federal student assistance from the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| Federal Student Aid Office in Seattle | Region X (Seattle, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington), 701 Fifth Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 615-2586. | College/Financial Aid | |
| Foundation for Early Learning | Supports early education across Washington state by bringing people together around early learning. Provides grants, technical assistance and early learning information to help ensure that our youngest learners are ready for school. | Early Learning | web site |
| Get Ready to Read! | An early literacy program designed to help parents and early child care providers ensure that young children have the necessary skills for learning to read. | Early Learning | web site |
| Great Schools | Lists 200,000 public and private schools serving students from preschool through high school across the country, including Seattle. Includes some parent and student school ratings/reviews, and general information to help you help your child succeed in school, including worksheets and activities, homework help, parenting dilemmas, health and behavior, and learning disabilities. | Seattle Area | web site |
| League of Education Voters | Works to improve Washington’s public schools through a statewide grassroots network of advocates. | Education Advocacy | web site |
| Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) | A nonprofit student loan guarantor that works with schools, community organizations, banks and other lenders to help students fund their education, manage money and credit, and apply for, manage, and repay student loans. Centers in Seattle and Portland provide a Mentor 2 College® program designed to help high school seniors become successful college applicants. | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| Partnership for Learning | An independent, statewide nonprofit organization that provides information about the Washington State’s school improvement efforts. | Education Advocacy | web site |
| Philanthropy NW | Works to build a strong philanthropic community that reflects the diversity of the Northwest, connects people to each other so they can achieve more with their giving, and inspires action to address critical societal problems. | Resources, Local | web site |
| Pre-K Now | A public education and advocacy organization promoting high-quality, voluntary prekindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds; supports state-based children's advocates, and educates policymakers and the public about the need for preK for all children. | Early Learning | web site |
| Raikes Foundation | Provides opportunities and support during adolescence to help young people become healthy, contributing adults. | Resources, Local | web site |
| Seattle Public Schools | Links to individual schools, enrollment assistance, and employment opportunities within the Seattle School District | Seattle Area | web site |
| Stand for Children | Uses grassroots action to help all children get the excellent public education and strong support they need to thrive. Five active chapters in Washington. | Education Advocacy | web site |
| The Fourth R | Report: "The Fourth R: New Research Shows Which Academic Indicators Are the Best Predictors of High School Graduation — and What Interventions Can Help More Kids Graduate High School Graduation" by Mary Beth Celio, M.A., Senior Researcher, Northwest Decision Resources, Lois Leveen, Ph.D. Spring 2007 | Publications | web site |
| The Seattle Foundation | Awards grants to nonprofit organizations that are effectively working to improve the health of our community. | Resources, Local | web site |
| Thrive by Five | A public-private partnership to support improvements in parenting education and support, child care, preschool, and other early learning environments throughout Washington. | Early Learning | web site |
| Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges | College listings, trustees, legislation, publications, resources and employment. | State-wide | web site |
| Washington State Board of Education | Leads the development of state policy, provides system oversight, and advocates for student success in the K-12 system. | State-wide | web site |
| Washington State Department of Early Learning | Brings visibility and focus to early learning; partners with the private sector to develop improved early learning opportunities for children and their parents. | Early Learning | web site |
| Washington State Office of Education Ombudsman | The Office of Education Ombudsman (OEO) resolves complaints, disputes, and problems between families and Washington State elementary and secondary public schools in all areas that affect student learning. Services are free, confidential, and available to families and students from K-12th grade. | State-wide | web site |
| Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) | Primary agency overseeing K-12 public education in Washington state. Works with the state’s 295 school districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform. Website provides information about school demographics, student scores on statewide tests, K-12 employment opportunities, teacher certification, and more. | State-wide | web site |
| Washington State School Districts | Links to school districts in Washington state. | State-wide | web site |
| Washington Student Achievement Council | Provides strategic planning, oversight, and advocacy to support increased student success and higher overall levels of educational attainment in Washington State. Established as a cabinet-level state agency on July 1, 2012. | College/Financial Aid | web site |
| Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board | A state agency committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will sustain Washington's economic vitality. | State-wide | web site |