Los Alamitos Education Foundation

To build durable relationships that help fund our vision, share our knowledge, and prepare every child in our district for college and beyond.

The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) was founded in 1982 and became a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in 1986. LAEF brought together the community, the district and the Board of Education for the purpose of raising funds to build the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Los Alamitos High School. Fundraising efforts continued in the early 1990s when important technology infrastructure was added to all district schools. In later years, LAEF’s mission evolved to partner with Los Alamitos schools to ensure that our District excels in the four A’s: Academics, Athletics, Activities and the Arts. LAEF is the trusted partner through which the community engages with the Los Alamitos Unified School District to measurably improve student achievement results. LAEF provides both significant funding to the district in critical areas impacting all students, and educational enrichment opportunities for every student.

Over the past year, LAEF provided over 600 academic and enrichment opportunities after school and during the summer, including FREE online global language classes for 1st through 5th graders. LAEF provided over $30,000 in program scholarships so that every child, regardless of their financial situation can attend an after-school, summer class or sports camp. LAEF also provided LAEF provided over $80,000 for STEAM-related grants to district schools, as well as provided a staff stipend for coordinating school STEAM fairs and funds for supplies and fair-related expenses. LAEF partnered with the Los Alamitos school district to fund stipends for counseling interns. LAEF donated $55,000 to cover stipends for 6 counseling interns for the 2023-24 school year. These staff members will provide extra support to students in our Well Spaces. LAEF also helps to stocks and maintain Well Spaces 9 district school sites.

One of the most impactful ways LAEF supports the students in the Los Al USD is by providing Program Scholarships. Each year, LAEF awards at least $30,000 in scholarships to those in need, so that every child can participate and engage in enrichment classes. Education is key to finding success in life and our enrichment classes help break the cycle of poverty. LAEF helps a broad range of families with scholarship needs so that all kids have a sense of belonging and are enriched at school. Families range from those qualifying for free and reduced lunch, to those
facing unforeseen hardship (such as loss of a job, parent illness or death).

Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Rossmoor, Cypress, Long Beach

The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) has a great partnership with the Los Alamitos Unified School District. Because of the small size of the district (6 elementary, 2 middle and 1 high school), LAEF has the unique ability to work very closely with district leadership to communicate about pressing needs and is able to fill in the gaps in funding where necessary. Due to the district size, LAEF brings enrichment opportunities district wide where in a larger district this would be more challenging.

LAEF was proud to partner with the Orange County Department of Education to bring the first Well Spaces to the county, which were established on our middle school campuses. Since then, LAEF has helped establish a Well Space at each of the 9 school campuses in the district. LAEF runs a robust after-school program providing district families with hundreds of after-school classes right on district school sites.

LAEF continues to grow and develop to bring important programs and enrichment opportunities to the students in the Los Alamitos School District.

As the Board Chair of the Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF), I am incredibly proud of the growth and hard work the organization has displayed in recent years. As a district parent, with two sons attending schools in the Los Alamitos Unified School District, I value education, and I want the best for not only my own kids, but all Los Al kids. LAEF has made significant strides in supporting the academic and extracurricular pursuits of our students, and we remain dedicated to our mission of preparing every child in our district for college and beyond.

One of our primary achievements has been the overwhelming demand for our after-school classes and enrichment programs. Families in our community recognize the value of these opportunities, and we are thrilled to see such high levels of participation. However, this success brings with it the challenge of meeting the growing demand. We face ongoing difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified after-school teachers and instructors due to the part-time and seasonal nature of these positions. We are actively exploring strategies to make these roles more attractive and sustainable.

Additionally, we are confronted with logistical issues related to classroom space, particularly during Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten times. Our schools' facilities are in high demand, and finding adequate classroom space to accommodate all interested students has been a significant challenge. We are working closely with school administrators to find innovative solutions to optimize the use of available spaces and minimize conflicts.

Staying at the forefront of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum and instruction is another priority for LAEF. We are committed to providing our students with cutting-edge educational experiences that prepare them for the future. This requires continuous investment in professional development for our educators and the adoption of the latest teaching methodologies and technologies.

Moreover, the need for more counseling resources during the school day has become increasingly evident. As we navigate the complexities of modern education, the well-being of our students remains paramount. LAEF is dedicated to expanding access to counseling services to support the mental and emotional health of our students, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive academically and personally.

LAEF is committed to bringing the best to our families. We are grateful for the continued support of our community, and together, we will continue to enrich the educational experiences of our students.