Horace Mann Elementary second graders got a hands-on toy-building lesson from “Mr. Toymaker,” Rick Hartman.
Volunteering in LWSD
Share your talents, gain experience and inspire a child
Volunteers play an important role supporting student learning in Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Currently, LWSD has over 17,000 approved volunteers. These volunteers are parents, relatives, community members and students who are committed to helping students be successful. Volunteers enrich student learning opportunities in classrooms, in schools and on field trips.
Volunteer Opportunities
- General School Volunteers
- AVID Mentor Program
- Junior Achievement Mentor Program
- LINKS Lunch Buddy Program
General School Volunteers
Volunteers can help in classrooms, offices or the school library. Volunteers can help with the following activities:
- Classroom activities
- Special school events or projects
- Art Docent program
- Parties
- Dances
- After school programs
- Sports
Volunteers over the age of 21 can serve as field trip chaperones.
If you are a parent/relative of a student, please contact your student's teacher to see how you can help. If you are a community member looking for a volunteer opportunity, please email volunteers@lwsd.org.
Each school also has a PTSA or parent organization that uses volunteers for its programs. Contact your school's PTSA or parent organization for more information about PTSA programs.
AVID Mentor Program
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an elective offered in four middle schools and all of our comprehensive high schools. Mentors meet with a small group of students in the classroom at least once a week for one class period and lead inquiry-based discussions to help students learn to problem solve.
If you enjoy working with middle and high school students, are comfortable allowing students to work through problems with a little strategic guidance, and can help for at least one hour, once a week, this opportunity is right for you!
We provide one-hour information sessions to learn more about the program. Volunteers who decide to move forward with the AVID program will participate in a four-hour training session to prepare mentors to be successful in the classroom.
If you are interested in attending an information session or being an AVID mentor, please contact Chris Robison at crobison@lwsd.org or 425-936-1270.
Click here for dates for upcoming information and training sessions
Junior Achievement Mentor Program
Junior Achievement (JA) is an education non-profit dedicated to teaching students about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. LWSD is focused on the “JA in a Day” program in our elementary schools.
JA in a Day is a unique opportunity as it offers mentors a great opportunity to get involved with Junior Achievement without juggling schedule conflicts or long-term commitments.
For more information about JA of Washington please visit their website.
If you enjoy working with elementary school students, understand the importance of teaching students about finances and the business world, but cannot commit to a long-term mentoring program, then this opportunity is right for you!
We provide one-hour information sessions to learn more about the program. Volunteers who decide to move forward with the JA program will participate in a one-hour training session where they will receive classroom materials and their school assignments.
If you are interested in attending an information session or being a JA mentor, please contact Chris Robison at crobison@lwsd.org or 425-936-1270.
Click here for dates for upcoming information and training sessions
LINKS Lunch Buddy Program
In the LINKS Lunch Buddy Program (Looking Into the Needs of Kids in Schools), we bring students together with caring adults. Mentors come during school hours once a week and spend the lunch hour in a pre-assigned area to eat, play games, make crafts, talk and do other agreed-upon activities. Mentors provide social-emotional support to students who need a little extra one-on-one attention. Studies have shown that children with mentors are more likely to succeed.
If you enjoy working with elementary school students, understand the value of simply being a constant presence in a young person’s life, and can meet once a week for an hour for the entire school year, then this opportunity is for you!
All Lunch Buddy mentors attend a two-hour orientation session to learn about tips and resources for a successful mentoring experience.
If you are interested in attending an information session or being a Lunch Buddy mentor, please contact Victoria Goetze-Nelson at vgoetzenelson@lwsd.org or 425-936-1410.
Click here for dates for upcoming information and training sessions
Volunteering Guidelines and Expectations
Apply Now
Check your approval status
Volunteer approvals are valid for two years. To see if your volunteer application is still current, you can log into your Raptor Volunteer Portal, contact the volunteer office at 425-936-1270 or email volunteers@lwsd.org. You can also contact the school where you volunteer.
Related Links
Contact Us
Chris Robison
Volunteer Program Supervisor
crobison@lwsd.org.
425-936-1270