Private Funding Helps Bellevue Students Thrive Amid Budget Challenges

At a time when school districts across Washington and the nation are grappling with tightening budgets, the Bellevue School District is celebrating the critical impact of the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF), which continues to ensure more than 20,000 students—from preschool through high school—have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Founded in 1979, the Bellevue Schools Foundation was the first nonprofit in Washington state dedicated solely to funding public K-12 education. Since its inception, BSF has raised more than $40 million from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic institutions committed to providing students in Bellevue with equitable, high-quality education.

The Foundation’s 2024–2025 Impact Report highlights how this funding is transforming classrooms, supporting educators, and addressing student needs—particularly in areas of mental health, early learning, and computer science education.

“What we found with supporting 28 schools with $1.1 million is that we can move the needle significantly for the students who are most in need,” said Juliet Buder, executive director of the Bellevue Schools Foundation. “The areas of investment that we have identified as having the most transformational impact in early learning are providing help for families that cannot afford things like computer science.”

One focus of BSF’s work has been ensuring that elementary students are prepared for a future where Artificial Intelligence and technology will be ever-present. In partnership with Amazon Future Engineers, Microsoft, and Code.org, BSF is helping integrate computer science education into classrooms across the district.

“I love computer science because I can build anything,” said a kindergartner at Ardmore Elementary.

The Foundation’s efforts are showing measurable results. According to the Impact Report, students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM—including girls and students of color—are increasingly viewing computer science as an accessible and inclusive field. Among eighth graders, 97% reported believing that anyone who participates can learn to code and succeed in computer science.

“Computer science has historically been dominated by white men,” Buder said. “That’s why our funding intentionally focuses on ensuring that historically underrepresented communities have access to the same tools and resources that allow today’s professionals to thrive.”

“When we look at our investment in computer science, we are specifically looking at students of color and females,” she added. “We want to make sure they are accessing computer science tools at an early age so their view of the field—and their own potential—is one in which they take up just as much space as anyone else in the field.”

The Foundation is also responding to a growing youth mental health crisis. According to the CDC, rates of persistent sadness and suicidal thoughts among young people have increased by 40% over the past decade. In Bellevue, the district is tracking an alarming rise in anxiety and depression symptoms, even at the elementary level, where roughly 17% of students have shown signs of distress.

“This work isn’t just numbers — it’s lives,” said Dr. Kelly Aramaki, superintendent of the Bellevue School District. “In a time of financial challenge, the Bellevue Schools Foundation ensures our students are seen, supported, and given hope.”

In the past year alone, 7,013 students received mental health screenings through BSF-funded programs, and 80% of those students reported improved coping skills.

“Especially after the pandemic, it’s even more evident that more and more of our students are experiencing mental health issues,” said Kerince Bowen, BSD director of counseling. “Whether it is physical or mental, a student’s overall well-being is crucial to learning. Because if they are struggling and not having support, they are not going to be focusing in class. It is going to affect their ability to learn, pay attention, and be successful in school.”

“Yeah, it’s not math or reading support, but it is still really important because it is the whole child,” Bowen added.

Kellea Taylor, BSD’s director of school support and preschool, agreed, emphasizing the importance of investing in early learning and emotional development.

“Early identification and support for developmental and emotional needs are critical to ensuring that children enter kindergarten ready to learn,” said Taylor. “By investing in high-quality preschool instruction and social-emotional learning programming, these efforts not only improve academic outcomes but also foster resilience, empathy, and a sense of belonging.”

Additional highlights from the Impact Report include:

• 100% of transitional kindergarten students met or exceeded expectations in social-emotional and literacy benchmarks.

• 39 BSD teachers earned or renewed their National Board Certification, making BSD one of only four districts nationwide where more than 40% of teachers hold the certification.

“We have had a long-term commitment to the National Board Certification, which is the only certification that has a direct correlation with student outcomes,” said Buder. “So, that is a program we will continue to support in the future, and it is one that we have had a strong legacy of supporting for over 20 years.”

Looking ahead, Buder said private funding may play an even more vital role in supporting public education, especially amid federal cuts and shifting national policies.

“We have thousands of individuals and companies that invest in our work,” she said. “I think, as we all are hearing and seeing the impact of some of Trump’s policy decisions and the Department of Education slashing funding, there is going to be a greater need for families who believe deeply in the transformational power of education. We’re going to continue to use the markers of our Impact Report to guide our funding decisions in the future.”