City Year Seattle/King County

Our Mission

City Year works to advance education outcomes by supporting students furthest from opportunity and to develop young leaders through national service.

We train and deploy teams of AmeriCorps members to serve as Student Success Coaches for a year in schools throughout the Seattle area. Currently, we serve 1,000+ students within 3 partner schools.

Our Whole School, Whole Child approach is based on research about how students learn and develop, ensuring that students are strengthening all of the skills essential for success in and out of school - interpersonal and academic. 

Through their service in schools and communities, our AmeriCorps members not only make a difference in the lives of the students they serve, but also acquire valuable skills and experiences that prepare them to lead and make meaningful contributions where they live and work.

The Cycle of Opportunity

Our AmeriCorps members are 17-25, and their role as Student Success Coaches is different than that of a typical adult in the school setting. As "near peers" the relationships they cultivate with students is essential, helping students to develop:

• An understanding of who they are as learners and leaders.
• A sense of agency to believe they can make a difference.
• Critical skills that set them on a path of lifelong learning and success.

And we know the model works...

Academic Achievement: Students working with City Year demonstrated 40% more growth in math and 50% more growth in literacy than peers not participating in City Year programming.

On-Track Indicators: Schools that partner with City Year were 2x more likely in math and 3x more likely in English to improve on standardized assessments.

Holistic Growth: City Year's students are 42% less likely to be off track in English, 33% less likely to be off-track in math, and 41% less likely to be chronically absent.

Cost-Effectiveness: City Year is 78% more cost effective than contracting with individual providers to deliver City Year's holistic set of services.

In Seattle/King County, our AmeriCorps members provide a holistic range of services in 3 schools in the Seattle Public School district. 

Your contribution today directly supports AmeriCorps members serving in Seattle Public Schools and our students furthest from opportunity. 

"Everything that supports City Year trickles down to the students ultimately, and what trickles down to the students trickles down into the future. What we’re doing is we’re planting the seed and giving the student everything that they need to grow.” 
- Heidi Chau | Student Success Coach 2023 - 2024

We know that many students lack access to learning environments and resources needed to thrive. Giving BIG today supports increased access to resources for all students, including tutoring, enrichment programming, and a safe and clean school environment. Your generosity allows for all students to thrive in and outside of the classroom!