St. Elizabeth Seton School
Sister Adella Armentrout, D.C.; Principal

As a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and Principal at St. Elizabeth Seton School in Palo Alto, Sr. Adella Armentrout says “The BASIC Fund provides us with the opportunity to fulfill our mission of serving the poor.”

“Without the BASIC Fund we would not be able to serve as many children as we do. Currently, we have 263 students enrolled in our school and 141 of them are supported by The BASIC Fund.”

Beechwood School
Ms. Priscilla Taylor, Principal

Beechwood School was founded more than twenty years ago for low-income families living in Menlo Park and surrounding neighborhoods. This small, independent school is committed to educating their students for the future and offering them support through high school and beyond.

Resources such as The BASIC Fund help parents encourage their children to strive for success. Principal, Priscilla Taylor explains, “The BASIC Fund makes it feasible for low-income families to make a financial commitment toward their child’s education. This empowers them to be active participants in the school and their child’s learning.”

K-Z-V Armenian School
Ollia Yenikomshion, Principal

K-Z-V Armenian School is a unique school community offering support for families new to San Francisco and those wishing strengthen and share their cultural and ethnic identity. Parents and even grandparents are active participants in school life and contribute to the welcoming and hard-working environment.

“The opportunities provided by The BASIC Fund have enabled children of Armenian heritage to know their culture, language, and identities. The school’s strong academics in a culturally-based community promotes who they are.”

Corinne, Mother of third grader

“The BASIC Fund allows me to send my child to private school where the strong education and structured discipline are consistent with our family values. We feel that the supportive community and the good education at K-Z-V will help our daughter to excel in grade school, high school, and at university.”

St. Peter’s School
Cyndi Gonzalez, third grade teacher / Jose Castillo, 3rd grade student

St. Peter's School is committed to the families it serves. “We are first and foremost a family school” says Principal Vicki Butler.

Cyndi Gonzalez is a teacher who has worked at St. Peter’s for more than 25 years. She sees the positive impact of The BASIC Fund on the students and the larger school community.

“The BASIC Fund’s financial support of almost half of St. Peter’s students contributes to the sense of peace and security found at our school. Active parent participation and caring teachers and administrators offer children a learning environment where they are encouraged academically, spiritually, emotionally and socially.”

Synergy School
Dylan, 4th grade Student/Parent

The independent Synergy School in San Francisco’s Mission District enrolls several BASIC Fund scholarship recipients, including Dylan, a fourth-grader who has been at the school since kindergarten.

Dylan’s mom feels strongly about the importance of having him at Synergy. “It is because of The BASIC Fund and Synergy School that Dylan is going to really be something in his life. The education Dylan receives at Synergy is clearly making a positive impact on his life. He has become a confident and enthusiastic child. The staff and teachers at Synergy treat him as an individual and make him feel like a responsible and important part of the school community. With the support of The BASIC Fund we feel we are providing Dylan with the education he both needs and deserves.”

Dr. Herbert Guice
Ms. Gonzalez, Parent

In Oakland’s inner-city is home to school founded on faith, loyalty, and commitment.

Ms. Kathleen Gonzalez is a single mother whose three children have attended to Dr. Herbert Guice Christian Academy. She takes great pride in the school and is grateful for the strength of the community.

“Without The BASIC Fund I would never be able to enroll my children at Dr. Herbert Guice Christian Academy. It is so important to have my children at this school because the words and actions of school administrators here are powerful. They are as passionate about my children as I am.”

“I have struggled in my life and I still struggle to keep my children in private school. Dr. Herbert Guice Christian Academy appreciates my commitment to my children and reinforces it through allowing me to participate in school programs. I volunteer in the office, kitchen, and help teach P.E. when I have the time. With my children at Dr. Herbert Guice I feel like I am achieving my goal as a parent—to raise committed, strong, and faithful children who understand that life can be filled with struggles but it is necessary to persevere.”