HISTORY OF THE FOUNDATION.

The Alhambra School District Foundation was incorporated as a non-profit organization in September 1993. The name of the Foundation was changed in 2006 to Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF). The Foundation was started to raise money in the community to support the on-going instructional programs of the Alhambra Unified School District and to support the implementation of new programs. The Alhambra Unified School District encompasses the city of Alhambra, parts of Monterey Park, San Gabriel, South San Gabriel and Rosemead. The district consists of three comprehensive high schools, thirteen elementary/middle schools, an alternative high school and an independent study high school. In addition, the District governs a pre-school program for special need students. The Foundation financially supports all these school sites and district-wide programs.

AEF is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of volunteer parents, district staff, business and community activist interested in promoting and improving the educational programs in our schools. In addition, the Board supports “Friends of the Foundation”, a group of community volunteers, who provide the hands-on needs of the Foundation.

Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $2.8 million in support of many district programs, including: Teacher Mini-Grants; Student Leadership Seminars; Authors Festival; computer and technology purchases; purchase of Automated External Defibrillators for all sites; disaster preparedness equipment and materials; reading incentives; library and classroom books; and more.

At the present time, the District receives from the Foundation, approximately $300,000 annually in support of the Foundation initiated program, “Music and More”. These funds are used to hire additional elementary music teachers who provide classroom music instruction in all K-3 classes. The Music and More programs also supports the middle school band and orchestra with money to purchase instruments and music materials. At the high school level, this program provides for additional college and career counseling and sponsorship of the AUSD Marching Band, a past participant in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade and a 2020 participant of the parade.

For five years, the Foundation has organized and funded the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program in all of our K-2 classes. Third grade was added to the program in 2018. RIF provides three books for each student, selected by them, to take home for their personal library.

  • FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION

    Friends of the Foundation are volunteers from the community who have an interest in helping the Foundation implement its programs.  They are available for counting and sorting books from the RIF program, preparing items for our auction at the Gala, clerical tasks, and any other job that needs to be done.

    AEF welcomes persons in the community who wish to volunteer their time and effort in support of the many activities undertaken by the foundation.  If you have an interest in participating in either the Board of Directors and/or the Friends of the Foundation, please call the Foundation office.

  • SAFETY PROJECTS

    AEF periodically funds programs which help to insure the safety of students in our schools.  In the past, the Foundation has purchased and maintained defibrillators for all school and district sites.  Recently, AEF donated $15,000 to the Alhambra and Monterey Park Police Departments for the purchase of six radar speed signs to be placed around our schools.

  • ALL DISTRICT BAND

    The All District Band will once again participate in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and AEF is spear-heading the raising of funds to support this venture.  Funds are needed for the purchase of additional uniforms, instruments, transportation, teacher salaries, and other items associated with preparing the band for the 2020 parade in Pasadena.

  • CAMPS

    AEF is presently planning with the school district and the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA to utilize “Camp Ta Ta Pochon, for summer camp for children in our community as well as science camp, during the school year, for all sixth-grade students in the district.  The Camp is located in the San Bernardino National Forest and provides a host of outdoor experiences, including: hiking, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, and the study of flora and fauna of the area.

  • MUSIC AND MORE

    The Music and More program funds classroom music instruction in all K-3rd grade classes in the 13 elementary schools of the district.  The program also funds 4th-8th grade instrumental music instruction, including the middle school band and orchestra.  Funds from this program go to support additional college counseling services at all district high schools.

  • READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

    Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is a national program which supports literacy.  AEF has been a RIF participant since 1993, providing all students in K – 3 with 3 books annually to maintain a personal library at home.  In Alhambra, this program is now known as the “Dr. LaVonne Wood Literacy Reading Fund “.

  • K-8 SUMMER ACADEMY AND HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

    Our K-8 Summer Academy and High School Summer School provides students the opportunity to attend advanced, make-up, and enrichment classes during the summer break.  This is a tuition-based program and serves students from the AUSD and surrounding districts. The High School Summer School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.