Emerald Heights Academy Receives $40,644 Grant from Bill and Melinda Gates

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- It was announced today by Bernard Droege that Emerald Heights Academy has received a $40,644 gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to purchase 15 laptop computers for the school's interactive media department.

"As we move into the 21st century, it is imperative that our students have a solid formation and that they have access to the tools that will advance their learning," said Droege, Emerald Heights Academy principal. "We are grateful for the gift from Bill and Melinda Gates, and for their continued commitment to opening the doors to learning for all."

Linda Psyk, school board chairman commented, "The youth are our hope. By preparing leaders who will shape tomorrow's world, we are making an investment in the future, and beginning the transformation of society."

Emerald Heights Academy is a private independent school run and supported by Catholic families, but is open to families of any religious heritage. Affiliated with National Consultants for Education, the school implements the philosophy of integral formation that encompasses four areas: academic (intellectual and development), human (psychological, emotional and social), spiritual (religious) and apostolic (service to others).

In 1993, three Catholic families living on the Eastside founded Emerald Heights Academy to meet the growing educational needs of the community. From humble beginnings of seven students, today's population has grown to 45 students in grades pre-K through 6th. That number has nearly doubled from last year. The academy's goal is to expand to 1,500+ students grades pre-K through 12 to meet the needs of the growing population of young families making their home on the greater Eastside.