Powerful Schools was founded in 1991 by a group of neighborhood parents and local school principals, and was originally funded with seed money from the City of Seattle's Neighborhood Matching Fund. It began as a coalition of four schools and two community organizations in Rainier Valley, one of Seattle’s most racially and economically diverse communities. Founding members included Hawthorne, John Muir, ORCA @ Columbia and Whitworth elementary schools, along with the Mount Baker Community Club and the Columbia City Revitalization Committee.

Dedicated to transforming Seattle’s challenged public elementary schools into powerful learning environments, Powerful Schools flourished with the help of many volunteers, partnerships with local businesses and community groups, and with the financial support of businesses and corporations in the Seattle area. 

As of 2008, in our 17th year of operation, Powerful Schools serves seven Seattle public elementary schools.