Our Mission

Jamestown Education Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to providing educational and cultural enrichment for students in Jamestown. JEF works in partnership with Jamestown public schools and community organizations to support innovative programs that inspire young minds, encourage academic excellence and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

We need your continued support as we refine existing programs and fund new ones. Our annual budget is small, yet the opportunities for enriching programming for students continue to grow. Our volunteers work tirelessly, collaborating with the Jamestown Schools and other community organizations to make learning innovative, relevant and exciting for Jamestown students. If you are not already a supporter, please consider joining us in our efforts.

What's New?

"Quadrant D" Grants
Once again, JEF will be supporting the Rigor and Relevance initiative in the Jamestown Schools by providing grant money that will allow teachers to develop and implement innovative educational experiences that fall into "Quadrant D" in the Rigor/Relevance Framework. Quadrant D activities provide clear opportunities for students to "think and work" as well as apply learning to real world situations.

JEF has budgeted up to $6,000 for 2011-2012 to support Quadrant D activities in the Jamestown Schools. There is no guarantee that all these funds will be awarded. It is expected that individual requests will fall in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, but proposals that request more will certainly be considered. Click here for a copy of the guidelines and application as a .pdf . If you prefer, click here for the Word.doc version.

Science and Math Scholars program (SAMS)
While SAMS is into its second year, there is always new and innovative learning going on. Funded by a $200,000 appropriation from NASA, SAMS is a partnership between JEF and Lawn School designed to generate enthusiasm for math and science, improve student performance, and encourage students to pursue careers in these fields. The new SAMS curriculum currently spans sixth through eighth grade, and JEF is actively looking for funding to expand the program to other grades.

Click here for more information on SAMS

Current Programs

Save The Bay Camp: The Jamestown Education Foundation continues to sponsor a camp through Save The Bay each summer. This past summer we ran two camp sessions for elementary level kids, and a boat camp for middle school aged students. Stay tuned for next summer's offerings!

After-School Program: JEF collaborates yearly with the Jamestown School Department to offer a variety of enriching after school programs for Jamestown students in grades K-8. Our offerings range from cooking, drama, and hip hop to writer's club, printmaking, yoga, and runner's club. Click on the link below for more details and current registration information.

Click here for more information!

Teen Center: In 2004, JEF co-founded the Conanicut Community Coalition (CCC) to provide social activities for Jamestown adolescents. The CCC secured a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation for $50,000 for three years to develop and staff a Teen Center as a healthy recreational outlet for students between ages 11and 15. JEF's ongoing support of the Center has funded a variety of programs for teens.

Click here for more information!

Instrument Library: The Jamestown Education Foundation has created an Instrument Library at the Lawn School. Expensive rental fees can prohibit budding musicians from taking advantage our school's exceptional music program. Thanks to some very generous donors, we have an instrument library that includes a wide variety of re-furbished band instruments. Last year nine kids benefited from this program that enables all interested students to participate in band. The instruments are professionally maintained, and redistributed to student musicians each year. If you have an instrument you are no longer using, please consider donating it to JEF so we can expand the musical opportunities for Jamestown students.