Jeffco Schools Foundation was incorporated in 1983 as The Jefferson Foundation, an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization, by a group of citizens concerned with maintaining the high quality of Jeffco Public Schools, then and now. Jefferson County Public Schools is Colorado's largest school district, with 85,000 students in 154 schools over 780 square miles. About 35%, or close to 30,000 students
, live in or near poverty, and Jeffco has the highest number of homeless students of any school district in Colorado. Despite these obstacles, Jeffco continues to lead the nation in educational excellence: Jeffco ranks third among large school districts in the country for its high graduation rates. Though the look of the Foundation may have changed over time, it continues to pursue big ideas in education and bright futures for Jeffco students. OUR MISSION - Jeffco Schools Foundation is a fundraising partner of the Jeffco Public Schools district. We cultivate partnerships to ensure Jeffco students thrive through equitable, excellent, and engaging educational experiences. OUR VALUES -
Equity
In Jeffco, not all students, staff, and families are starting from the same place nor do they need the same things to reach their fullest potential. We align our approach to equity with the district to ensure that our investments result in the greatest impact to those most in need. We strive to support educational experiences that are accessible and help students from all backgrounds feel a sense of welcoming and belonging. Excellence
In Jeffco, we aspire to be a world-class school district which requires us to inspire one another to make an impact, focus on solutions, maximize our partnerships, and hold ourselves accountable for successful outcomes for all students. Engagement
The Foundation works alongside the Jeffco Schools District, its staff, students, partners, and community to collaborate and move to action. Quality education is a right for every student, and community engagement and alignment is essential for providing that to our wide district.