Our Mission: To ensure every child has a strong foundation for success.
More than just talk and ideas, the New School Foundation fosters tangible student success in public schools everyday. By starting with pre-kindergarten, relentlessly supporting academic skills, and ensuring that schools give equal attention to each child’s social and emotional development, our model approach is changing how students learn.
In the Beginning
Founded by philanthropist Stuart Sloan over a decade ago, the New School Foundation focused its work on TT Minor Elementary. Soon, an anonymous donor was drawn to TT Minor’s success, and the Foundation worked with Seattle Public Schools to launch what is now known as the South Shore School. This is where the organization’s original concept was taken to a new level.
Through careful use of the latest research and evolving strategies, the schools became thriving places that nurtured the success of all students. The secret: a model that builds consistent teamwork between students, teachers, parents and administrators and starts early, focusing on PreK-3rd grade.
Executive Director Laura Kohn talks about education inequality.
Today: Expanding Our Reach
Today, in partnership with Seattle Public Schools and enthusiastic support from a growing base of donors and grantmakers, the New School Foundation is gaining ground. That means more students in Seattle’s lowest income neighborhoods are succeeding through a strong foundational approach to education.
By proving our approach with students, parents and educators in Seattle, we continue to increase our impact. Our successful model is capturing imaginations among decision-makers locally, statewide and nationally.
