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 sponsor new ones. Our annual budget is small, yet the need for extra-curricular programming for students continues to grow. Our volunteers work tirelessly, collaborating with the Jamestown schools, the Recreation Department, and other organizations to make learning innovative, relevant and exciting for Jamestown students. If you are not already a member, please consider joining us in our efforts.

What's New?

New xylophone:
JEF has recently purchased a new xylophone for the Lawn School band program. Our generous donors gave funds specifically to support the Music Department at the school, which enabled JEF to create a new Instrument Library and purchase a much need xylophone for the percussion students. The Library now has about twenty refurbished band instruments available free of charge to those students for whom a rental would be a financial hardship. All other students are able to use the instruments on days when they just forget to bring their own. JEF is currently seeking donations to enable the purchase of a new bass drum for the school band.

2008 Save the Bay Summer Camp:
JEF will again collaborate with Save The Bay and the Jamestown Recreation Department to offer this highly acclaimed hands-on learning experience. Trained naturalists from STB will work with students as they explore the beaches, salt marshes, rocky shores and shallows of our island. The week-long camp, which includes one day out on the water in STB’s education boat, will run from July 7-11 and again from August 4-8. Each week will have a morning session for younger children and an afternoon session for older students.

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Current Programs

After-School Program: In collaboration with the Jamestown School Department, JEF offers programs and classes to appeal to all students. Spring 2008 begins on April 21st. New programs include knitting, digital photography, and hip hop dance!

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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. The Center operated for several years without a permanent space until Feb. 15th, 2008, when the Teen Center held a Grand Opening in its new space within the town’s Recreation Department.

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