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Project Free Education: School Supplies

Our schools provide the supplies students need for learning, as we do with books and other materials. Project Free Education currently covers the following:

Grades K-5

  • School supplies covered

Grades 6-8

  • School supplies covered
  • Students will receive ASB cards for athletics/activities
  • No participation fees for athletics
  • Yearbooks provided for $5

Grades 9-12

  • School supplies covered
  • No course fees
  • Reduced high school college preparation testing fees, such as PSAT and Advanced Placement (AP) fees
  • Students will receive ASB cards for athletics/activities
  • New for 2025-26: Due to budget constraints, we are asking families to consider paying $100 participation fee per student per sport for athletics
  • New for 2025-26: Due to budget constraints, there will be a $100 fee for Traffic Safety and Financial Education course (driver’s education)
  • Graduation robes provided on loan; caps and tassels provided to seniors to keep
  • Yearbooks provided for $10 (previously approx. $50)

History of Project Free Education in Bellingham Public Schools

In 2011, Bellingham Public Schools launched Project Free Education, an initiative whereby families are not asked to pay towards school supplies and some activities. This is a budget priority that attempts to close some of the gaps in state funding without asking too much financially of our families. Since we started this project, we have:

  • Provided full-time kindergarten to all families until the state provided more funding.
  • Eliminated the need for families to buy school supplies at elementary, middle and high school.
  • Eliminated middle and high school course fees.
  • Funded significant field trips such as outdoor school for fifth graders
  • Reinstated the elementary strings program, and provided violins for fifth graders and recorders for third through fifth graders.
  • Provided enrichment stipends for after-school activities at all elementary schools with additional support for Title I schools for greater equity.
  • Supplied high school scientific and graphing calculators, and world language Advanced Placement (AP) workbooks.
  • Reduced high school college preparation testing fees, such as PSAT and Advanced Placement (AP) fees.
  • Provide snacks for all students at Title I schools, Parkview, Northern Heights and Options (moving to universal breakfast at Title schools).
  • Increased middle school arts budget and support for high school music programs.
  • No participation fees for athletics at middle and high schools.
  • Graduation robes provided on loan; caps and tassels provided to seniors to keep.
  • Traffic Safety and Financial Education course (driver’s education) added to high school course offerings.
  • Yearbooks provided at minimal charge for middle school and high school students.

 

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pencils, markers, crayons, eraser, glue stick, ruler, scissors and notebook