Our Programs

Sustaining Lopez Schools

Critical Program Support & Teacher Grants

Lopez Island Education Foundation (LIEF) is meeting an unprecedented challenge: a $300,000 budget shortfall threatening the programs that make Lopez Schools exceptional.

Through Critical Unrestricted Program Support and Teacher Grants, LIEF ensures Lopez students continue to benefit from a full, well-rounded education, even as public funding falls short.

Five children sitting on a boat with a sixth standing, all wearing life jackets, with a sailboat and trees in the background.

Critical Unrestricted Program Support

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Your gift sustains the heartbeat of Lopez School by funding the programs and resources most at risk due to the current budget crisis.

Unrestricted donations protect essential areas including:

  • Core Academics & STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math)

  • Special Education Services

  • Music, Drama & Fine Arts

These funds provide the safety net that keeps our small, rural school strong, equitable, and whole.

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Teacher Grants

A group of young boys and an older man sitting and standing on a mossy log in a forest during daytime, smiling at the camera.

LIEF’s Teacher Grant Program remains at the heart of our mission. In addition to funding critical program support, LIEF has reserved over $20,000 this year to continue Teacher Grants—ensuring the creative, hands-on learning experiences that define a Lopez education remain strong.

Teacher Grants support:

  • Week-Long Intensives — Immersive elective courses like Glass Blowing, Tex-Mex & Asian Cooking, Hiking & Biking, and Wilderness Survival Skills that make learning come alive.

  • Field Trips & Off-Island Learning — From the annual 5th-grade trip to middle school excursions, LIEF ensures all students can participate, regardless of family income.

  • Curriculum & Classroom Materials — From graphing calculators and science kits to egg incubators and playground equipment, these grants fill real classroom needs.

  • AP Exam Fees — Ensuring that every student can test without financial barriers.

LIEF Teacher Grants are not extras—they’re essential to keeping our classrooms vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring.