History

     The South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) provides the funds to enable the district to offer educational enrichment opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. SPEF works with the community to raise funds through parent contributions, business donations, foundation and private grants, and events like Parti Gras. SPEF also raises money through the district's summer school enrichment programs.
     
      The volunteer working board of directors is composed of parents, business people and community leaders. Board members work year round to create and execute fundraising plans. Since its inception in 1980, SPEF has given funds to the district in the form of on-going grants for specific programs and curriculum innovations, as well as one-time grants such as for 1998's "Libraries Without Walls" program. SPEF donated $31,000 for the latter program, which upgraded all school libraries as well as South Pasadena Public Library.

     In October 2007, SPEF made a $525,000 donation to the district which will support:

Elementary Music/Choir

Elementary Drama

Elementary Fine Arts

Middle School Spanish

Middle School Strings

Middle School Counseling

High School Arroyo Seco Singers

High School Counseling

High School Enrichment

High School Tutoring

Library Services at all schools

     In short, for over 25 years the South Pasadena Educational Foundation has worked to bridge the financial gap between what our five schools have and what they need.