PLU is the small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration — it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. This commitment derives from our Lutheran heritage, and it defines our faculty and staff who work to create an environment where learners feel heard, and valued. It characterizes our student body, who aren’t afraid to do things differently to leave the world better than they found it. Caring motivates us to question paradigms and draw new connections in pursuit of truth, constantly challenging ourselves and the world we love to be better for our neighbors — those down the street, and thousands of miles away. PLU is more than a campus full of individuals pursuing their dreams — we’re a community of seekers, trailblazers, creators, and reformers who know we can accomplish more together than apart. The students we nurture and inspire become the minds and hearts driving that future. The PLU experience allows their ambition to blossom into purpose, their skills to sharpen into tools, and their caring to become a transformative force.

The Washington Education Association is the largest member organization representing teachers and education support professionals in Washington State. Our mission is to strengthen public education for educators, students and our communities.

At Charles Wright Academy, a coeducational independent school in Tacoma, students discover their passions through a breadth of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Charles Wright strengthens and grows students, Preschool to Grade 12, with integrity, respect, compassion, perseverance, and excellence. Our mission is to inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging out students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, coeducational university located on a wooded campus of more than 300 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 27 majors and ten graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education, nursing and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,200 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students to its Lacey campus, and 300 more undergraduate students to its extension campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Visit the Saint Martin’s University website at www.stmartin.edu.

Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. Annie Wright Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools are nestled in the beautiful North End neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington. Our historic campus includes an indoor pool, two gyms, science and technology labs, art and music studios, theater, outdoor gardens, play areas, athletic fields and open spaces.

Open Window School is a K-8 independent school located in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 1985 to provide an educational environment specially designed for gifted learners, Open Window is a school “For Gifted Kids Who Love to Learn.” The learning environment provides a challenging academic curriculum blended with nurturing support from teachers that prepares students for long-term success. Open Window is fully accredited by NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools). Current enrollment is 358 students.

Bezos Academy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to launch and operate a network of tuition-free Montessori-inspired preschools in underserved communities.

In 1995, a small group of educators and Francophiles had a vision to establish a French American school in the Pacific Northwest. That fall, the French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) opened its doors with two teachers and 13 students in the basement of a church in Newcastle. One year later, with already more than double the number of students, FASPS moved to another church property in Newport Hills. But with continuous growth over the next several years, FASPS co-founders knew a larger space would be necessary soon. In 1999, 146 students moved to Mercer Island, taking over the old fire station just north of the SJCC. Once student enrollment surpassed 200, FASPS administrators and the board of trustees knew they had to think bigger. To lead this new and ambitious expansion phase in the school’s history, FASPS brought in experienced Head of School Andrée McGiffin. Under her leadership, FASPS quickly and successfully conducted a capital campaign towards the design and construction of a one-story building, completed in September 2004. 2008 saw the doubling in size of the school, and another floor was added to the current structure. With close to 300 students, the second floor allowed for additional classrooms and the launching of the much anticipated Middle School Program with its first grade six class. In 2011, one year after the new Head of School Eric Thuau began his role, the dream of having a middle school was fully realized with the first graduating class. Fourteen students, four of them at FASPS for over 10 years, moved on to public and private schools around the area. Since then, FASPS has continued to grow each year. In October 2013, FASPS purchased a 2.2 acre lot adjacent to the current campus, with the board of trustees tasked to discuss possible development options for the property.

The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) advances the transformation of healthcare for patients and practitioners worldwide by supporting the confident and competent practice of functional medicine, advancing health equity, expanding access, and improving the delivery of patient care. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the only organization providing functional medicine certification along with educational programs directly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), IFM collaborates with educators from prestigious colleges, universities, and health systems around the globe. In addition to accredited education and certification programs, we build partnerships across medical disciplines and advocate on behalf of functional medicine practitioners and patients. Learn more at www.ifm.org. To find a functional medicine practitioner in your area, visit https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/.

Hamlin Robinson School ignites the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. At Hamlin Robinson School, we believe learning has no limits. Our world-class program builds confidence and self-esteem giving students the opportunity to experience academic success and explore their creative potential. Teachers are highly-skilled, compassionate educators who use a multi-sensory approach to literacy. The rich, comprehensive school program is rooted in techniques that encourage creativity and build on interests and curiosities, making learning fun and interesting. At Hamlin Robinson School students discover the joy of learning. As the community outreach component of Hamlin Robinson School, the HRS Learning Center is a resource and services hub for students, families, educators, and global community members. Hamlin Robinson School is approved by the State of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and is accredited by the National Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and the Washington State Board of Education.

At EOS, we work with districts to support their commitment to increasing academic opportunities for all of their students – especially those who are historically underserved and underrepresented. Our model is built on deep partnerships in which we provide data, insights, and year-round support to ensure that all students have equal access to advanced academic programs like AP, IB, and dual enrollment, and thrive once enrolled. Simply put, we want students to have the opportunity to build the life they want. Our data and experience has shown that opening access to rigorous coursework pushes students to success in both school and beyond. Since 2011, EOS has helped districts truly understand the academic interests, aspirations, and barriers to success for each of their students to identify the courses that best align with their unique goals. We work with a diverse range of districts, from rural and suburban to the biggest urban school systems in the country.

Rainier Scholars cultivates the academic and leadership potential of underrepresented students of color through rigorous, transformative opportunities that increase college graduation rates and empower new generations of leaders. We envision a just and inclusive society with equitable representation of people of color at all levels of leadership and influence. - Greater number of diverse students successfully graduating from top-tier colleges - Increased diverse pool of qualified candidates for high-level leadership roles - Increased number of families of color who become consumers of education We believe that a college degree provides critical training for and access to full participation in the workforce and opportunities to be leaders in our community. A college degree greatly increases an individual’s chance at economic self-sufficiency creating a ripple effect felt by generations to come.