Partnerships & Programs
Connect. Grow. Thrive.
The Partnerships & Programs Department is the engine behind SEED's commitment to integrated learning. Our primary goal is to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of dynamic partnerships and high-impact programs that enrich the academic, social-emotional development of every SEED scholar. Our work is rooted in the belief that learning is a continuous journey that extends far beyond the classroom walls.
Our Philosophy: Igniting Student Sparks
We move beyond simple activity planning to focus on intentional spark cultivation. A spark is defined as an interest, passion, or talent that truly lights up a scholar—something they can't stop talking about and want to practice for a future dream.
Our framework—Connect. Grow. Thrive.—ensures that every student finds their unique path to purpose:
CONNECT: We build strong partnerships with community partners, staff, and scholars to identify these core interests.
GROW: We create formalized program opportunities that help scholars develop their identified spark into skills, confidence, and resilience.
THRIVE: We foster an environment where scholars achieve their ultimate success by aligning their passions with their education and career readiness.
Opportunities Abound: Real-World Engagement
We believe that each school year offers an opportunity for scholars to be engaged, involved, and stimulated by the world around them. The Partnerships & Programs department manages and formalizes these critical external opportunities:
Focus on Growth
Program Area
Formalized agreements with organizations, faculty, or experts that provide high-quality, specialized programming we could not create on our own.
External Partnerships
Structured experiences that allow students to apply academic learning and job readiness skills in settings on campus (school store, athletics, campus operations) and in professional settings off-campus, fostering career readiness and skill mastery.
Student Internships
Opportunities to gain global perspectives, experience diverse cultures, and connect learning to world history and contemporary issues.
International Travel
Hands-on programs, like our Theatre, Drumline, and Go Go Band, that emphasize discipline, teamwork, confidence, and expression.
Experiential Learning
In recent years, scholars have completed service projects in Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Brazil, lived with families in Japan, Ghana, China, and Germany, and traveled throughout Greece through our resident program The Niarchos Foundation Greece Classics Program. Additionally, scholars have had the opportunity to engage in arts & culture in New York City, Atlanta, Sacramento, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Baltimore, Tokyo, Accra, Munich, Frankfurt, and a host of other cities around the world.
Resident Programs, Partner Programs and Opportunities
Spark Programming
Community Service / Service Learning
The Falcon Theatre - @falcontheatre_seed
Soul of SEED Go Go Band
Girls Rock! DC After School Program
DC High School Internship Program
Building Better Brothers
The Medical Ascension Program
The Niarchos Foundation Greece Classics Program - @seedgreecescholars
Onda Solidaria Brazil Exchange Program - @seeddcinbrazil
The Experiment in International Living
The Mikva Challenge
Empowerment Enterprises II, LLC (Drumline)
Us Helping Us
Cinderella Foundation
Healthy Babies Project
Young Playwrights’ Theater
DC Ticket Partnership (Arena Stage)
Ford’s Theatre Student Matinee Series
Think BRG
