Native American Education Program

Students in traditional Native American clothing.

Native American student displays an intricate traditional drum he madeThe Eastside Native American Education Program is a federally-funded program that assists Native American, Alaska Native, and American Indian students in the Lake Washington, Bellevue, and Northshore School Districts in grades K-12. Since the initiation of the Indian Education Act of 1972, the Federal Government has assisted local school districts in funding educational programs for all Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native children. These programs are intended to provide children with programs that not only offer them the opportunity to succeed academically but to enrich their cultural lives as well.

Program Administrator Lauren Nabahe and an open committee of parents steers the program content and determines the best available talents and resources to implement the program’s activities.

To assist all Native students, we provide services that include:

  • Once-a-week after-school activities
  • Homework support
  • Mentoring
  • Coordination of home and school needs
  • Student advocacy
  • Cultural events
  • Tribal language exploration
  • Native Youth Leadership Academy
  • High school clubs

Our program offers opportunities for Native Students and families to create a community through activities the parent committee organizes during the school year. The program’s website provides more detailed information on the current events and activities.

Funding for the Program
This program relies upon a grant from the Federal Government that is based upon the number of Native children within the educational entity applying for the grant. The Eastside Native American Education Program is a consortium of the Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore School Districts. The number of children served in the program determines the amount of grant money the program collects.

Federal Requirements and Assessment
The program is required by the Federal Government to be "comprehensive" in its scope, meaning that it must provide activities that meet the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students, but also must be consistent with and promote the goals in the state and local improvement plans under Title III of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, as well as other state standards and assessments. The program is assessed each year by the government to ensure that the goals are being met.

Program Eligibility
Basically, any child who is an enrolled member of a band or tribe, or who is the child or grandchild of an enrolled member of a band or tribe. For more details, see the Student Eligibility Form.

Contact Information
We would like to invite your child and your family to become part of our Eastside Native American Education Program.

For more information, contact:
Lauren Nabahe, Paiute-Shoshone, Navajo and Mono
Native American Education Program Coordinator
(425) 900-7394

Eastside Native American Education Program website