education flavor


Life and Learning

When a business, family or individual considers relocating or expanding to a new community, educational opportunities are often top priority. The Inland Northwest exceeds that requirement with an eye to future needs in the ever-changing workforce, quality K-12 schools, vibrant community college networks, access to programs in the region’s six public four-year universities and two private four-year universities.

Education is embedded in the fabric of life and learning in the Spokane region and a number of forward-thinking programs are in place to involve parents, business leaders and professionals in our students’ education and equip them for the rapidly-evolving workplace. The nearly 80,000 students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions in the Inland Northwest are supported by strong schools, innovative programs and a variety of degree offerings.

Spokane STEM

The Spokane STEM Network serves as a catalyst for science, technology, engineering and math learning and innovation throughout our community, better preparing the region’s young people for current and future STEM careers while giving our workforce the tools to compete on a global playing field.

Partnerships with our region’s K-12 school districts, higher education institutions and business have created pioneering programs with STEM-based curriculum like the Institute of Science Technology, Kootenai Technical Education, Riverpoint Academy, Riverside Technical Academy and Spokane Valley Tech. Our educators and after-school organizations provide unique programs that stimulate enhanced learning through problem solving, collaboration and peer-to-peer leadership.

In 2014, the Spokane STEM Network integrated with Greater Spokane Incorporated to help create new connections, increase educational attainment in the region and prepare a skilled workforce. The integration provides the opportunity to align with GSI’s educational attainment strategies and work-based education programming like Work 101, Teaching the Teachers, Business AfterSchool and more.

In 2014, the Spokane STEM Network integrated with Greater Spokane Incorporated to help create new connections, increase educational attainment in the region and prepare a skilled workforce. The integration provides the opportunity to align with GSI’s educational attainment strategies and work-based education programming like Work 101, Teaching the Teachers, Business AfterSchool and more.


Priority Spokane

Priority Spokane, a program partner of Greater Spokane, Inc., recently received national recognition for helping to establish the Community Attendance Support Teams (CAST) that serve six middle schools in the city. Made up of representatives from education, business and non-profit sectors, CAST looks at specific data to identify students with high dropout risk from truancy and intervenes early. Based on the belief that the power of education improves both the life of the individual and the health of the community as a whole, the program helps develop partnerships between the school, child and family to address and reverse truancy issues early on.

The truancy initiative is made possible by a RWJF Roadmaps to Health Grant awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. One of six winners across the country, the prize honors communities that are harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and stakeholders to help residents live healthier lives.

Spokane County was also recognized by RWJF for its strategies to empower young people and expand educational opportunities as a means of improving health.

Meeting and Exceeding Workplace Needs

Through successful partnerships with the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council and private businesses like Seven2, our businesses are connecting with the region’s students and providing 21st century learning experiences.

The Work101 Program engages businesses and high school students in an internship setting that builds the skills they need to meet the demands of the workplace. Access2Experience (A2E) offers an online platform to bridge the gap between industry and education by putting seasoned professionals in classrooms and students and career seekers in work-based learning environments. Teaching the Teachers workshops create continuing education experiences that connect teachers to businesses so they can see first-hand what skills are needed for industry careers and learn how to relate the importance of these skills to their students.

Greater Spokane Incorporated
801 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201

509.624.1393 | Fax: 509.747.0077
info@greaterspokane.org | www.greaterspokane.org