Seattle Public Schools | Volunteer Now!

Getting Started How does one become a volunteer in Seattle Public Schools? Our primary goal is for volunteers and the students they work with to have a positive learning experience. To begin volunteering with Seattle Public Schools, there are a few minor steps that you need to complete: Complete Forms Identify the School or Program Contact the Volunteer Coordinator Identify Role, Schedule and Expectations Orientation/Training Complete Forms There are two forms that you need to complete and submit directly to the school or program you are working with. These can be found on this site at the links below, or can be provided by the school you will be working with. The Volunteer Application (Adobe Acrobat, 24K) offers the school important contact and emergency information as well as some specific details about your interests and experience so the school can find an appropriate role for you. The two-sided Screening Form (Adobe Acrobat, 33K) requests information about criminal background and authorizes Seattle Schools to complete a background check through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system. This is an important step in ensuring the safety of our students. Please note: While all volunteers must be screened through the WATCH system, a criminal history does not automatically disqualify one from volunteering in the schools. More information about screening and background checks (Adobe Acrobat, 40K)* Top Identify the School or Program A great way to narrow your choices is to decide if you have a preference for working with elementary, middle or high school students, or if you are interested in working with a particular group of students or type of program. Some people choose a school that is nearby their home or work. If you are not familiar with nearby schools, please visit the district map. You might also choose from the list of highlighted volunteer opportunities listed on this site. Top Contact the Volunteer Coordinator If you are interested in working with a particular school, please contact that school directly. Schools that have Volunteer Coordinators are listed on the Volunteer Coordinator list. For schools without a Volunteer Coordinator, please call the main number at the school and ask about volunteer opportunities. Identify Role, Schedule and Expectations Meet with your prospective supervisor. This may be the Volunteer Coordinator or the teacher or both. You should talk about what you will do at the school and how you will do it. Set up a schedule and talk about expectations for communication and general school or classroom guidelines that you should know. Orientation/Training An orientation to working with the schools is very important to all volunteers so that you can know what to expect at the school and from the school, as well as what is expected of you as a volunteer. Orientations should be done on site with the Volunteer Coordinator, teacher or other school staff member you will be working with. Top