What is the Academy for Rising Educators (ARE)?

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is committed to teacher diversity. The ARE is one way we are hiring and recruiting more educators of color.

The ARE, in collaboration with the City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), helps SPS high school seniors and recent graduates, and current SPS staff earn their teaching certificate.

Earn your teacher certification at no tuition cost! SPS will pay all tuition costs once all eligible grants and scholarships have been applied.

The ARE Application for 2025-26 is Coming Soon!

Are you a future educator with interest in early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special education? Opportunities to earn your teaching certification in these areas are available for admitted ARE students. The annual online ARE application will become available in late-Spring. Check back for updates!

ARE and Class-to-Cert Pathways

Path 1: For applicants with a high school diploma and fewer than 75 credit hours.

• 4 Year Program
• Attend Seattle Central College (2 years)
• City University (2 Years)
• Graduate with BA & Teaching Certificate

Path 2: For applicants with an Associate of Arts (AA) Degree.

• 2 Year Program
• Attend City University of Seattle or the University of Washington (U-ACT)
• Graduate with BA & Teaching Certificate

Path 3: For Applicants with a BA/BS or above.

• 1 or 2 Year Program
• Attend City University of Seattle or the University of Washington
• Graduate with Teaching Certificate

ARE focuses on increasing representation in classrooms

The ARE aims to recruit and retain educators of color and diverse local backgrounds. Watch the King 5 video about ARE

The ARE prepares and supports candidates that model three program goals. Candidates are:

• Rooted in our communities;
• Dedicated to long-term teaching; and
• Committed to anti-racist teaching to support students furthest away from educational justice.

Questions?

Please contact Matthew Goode magoode@seattleschools.org