The Bellevue Schools Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

The grant will provide support for the Bridging the Achievement Gap program, a program which supports school-based projects to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and students from higher income or English-speaking households in the Bellevue School District.

This year BSF’s program is helping students advance academically through targeted learning projects at Stevenson Elementary, Lake Hills Elementary, Highland Middle School, Sammamish High School and seven other schools in Bellevue.

“Two years ago, prior to targeting our kindergarten classrooms with additional support, only 20 percent of the students were meeting end of year reading expectations. Today nearly 80 percent of our kindergarten students are meeting the expectations. This includes an 80 percent English Language Learner population, 35 percent free and reduced lunch population and 20 percent who have never attended school before. What a difference two years and the financial support of the community can make!” said Christy Lindquist, the principal of Stevenson Elementary. “The staff, students and families of Stevenson Elementary are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of the community.”

Bank of America this year embarked on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2008.

“At Bank of America, we recognize that access to education is a cornerstone of a healthy and vibrant community, and contributes greatly to the economic stability of our region,” said Peter Joers, Washington President for Bank of America. “We are proud to support BSF and commend them on their proven track-record of success for helping disadvantaged children achieve academic success in Bellevue.”

The Bellevue School Foundation was created as a partnership between business and community leaders, parents, and members of the education community. Its mission is to promote and help fund the best possible learning opportunities for all students in the Bellevue School District. During its 30-year history, the BSF has raised over $17 million for programs that reach over 16,500 students every year.

For more information about the Bellevue Schools Foundation or to make a donation, please contact BSF at 425.456.4199, email at info@bsfdn.org.