Rainier Scholars is the only long-term comprehensive college preparatory program for students of color in the Greater Seattle region. The organization is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students of color from middle and low-income households, many of whom are the first in their family to earn a college degree. The program offers a unique 12-year academic journey that begins in the fifth grade, supports students through middle and high school and into college. A critical aspect of the program is a rigorous academic on-ramp to prepare students for placement in college preparatory pathways by strengthening foundational academic abilities, cultural identity, social and emotional skills, and resilience. This phase includes 1,000+ hours of coursework and instruction above and beyond the regular school day, equating to an entire additional school year of education and skill-building. Throughout middle and high school, scholars engage in college prep schoolwork, academic counseling, and tutoring while receiving support through career and leadership development workshops that cultivate their professional trajectory and define their role in the community. Students and families also have access to mental health counseling and in-depth financial aid education as they navigate the college application process. Once at college, Rainier Scholars continues to support students with summer internships, career counseling, professional mentorship, and opportunities for career exploration. And Rainier Scholars outcomes are unmatched, with 89% of 2023 scholars graduating from four-year universities and 97% of 2023 college graduates employed full-time or enrolled in a graduate program.
About IGNITE Worldwide: The underrepresentation of women in STEM industries is pervasive and hinders both innovation and economic growth. IGNITE Worldwide, founded in Seattle, is working to address the gender-gap issue in STEM at the school-aged level. Their programming introduces girls and gender-diverse students to STEM topics. They provide students with engaging opportunities to explore STEM subjects and interact with diverse STEM professionals. At every IGNITE Program event, students are able to interact with women and gender-diverse STEM professionals that they identify with. By offering free programs during the school day, IGNITE removes economic and logistical barriers to participation. This approach has had a profound impact on students, inspiring them to pursue STEM careers and shaping their educational goals. As one student, Jeanette Martinez, shared, “IGNITE has shaped my life forever, deciding where I want to go to college, what I want to become, and the degree I want to get.”
The Seattle Universal Math Museum (“SUMM”) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 that aims to spark a love of mathematics in everyone through engaging exhibits, hands-on experiences, and programs. With a core focus on educational outreach, in the last fiscal year, SUMM reached nearly 12,000 participants at 268 events. 75% of these events, which were free to participants, were held in communities of opportunities, among neighborhoods and families furthest from equity. Through partnerships with Kent Schools and Library, Renton Family First Community Center, and South Seattle Schools, SUMM has supported students and families with Mathterschool and AweSUMM Math Space events; hosted an 8-week Family Math Fun series for families to play and learn math together; and held Math Nights and parent workshops at elementary and middle schools. SUMM is filling a critical need by augmenting traditional learning settings that highlight the creativity in math, its connections to other disciplines and its applications beyond the classroom. Many students become discouraged and lose confidence in their math abilities during elementary and middle school, when attitudes about math form and ideas for future careers take shape. SUMM transforms attitudes about math by building confidence and seeing the relevance of math in the everyday world.
