What is APPLE?

The Alternative Parent Participation Learning Experience (APPLE) has been a Spokane Public Schools elementary education program since 1977. It was conceived and developed by Parents for Alternative Education, a parent group pursuing meaningful involvement in the public school education of their children. Learning is enriched by the cooperative participation of parents, teachers, students, administrators, and members of the larger community. Since its visions and activities are driven by these diverse relationships, the program is dynamic. Each new year brings new faces, new dreams, and new beginnings to an ever-evolving program. Continuity is provided by adherence to the original mission of parent participation, and by long-term tenure of students, parents, and teachers. Students are the beneficiaries of this participation, as parents form partnerships with teachers to enrich learning. APPLE seeks to educate the whole child with a balance among academic, intellectual, personal, and social development. It employs traditional and innovative, research-based educational approaches. Where practical, it employs student selected, self-paced learning. In years past we’ve raised $25,000 - $36,000 thanks to our donor responses. Funds raised helped us provide curriculum and classroom supplies and fund learning experiences, such as STEM Robotics, “Arts in Action” & “World Cultures” programs which include field trips and enrichment experiences, STEM SCOPE magazine subscriptions, DreamBox and Tumble Books Reading & Math programs, a greenhouse and so much more! In the past we were able to offer our students an American Sign Language course, which was very special as Franklin Elementary houses the majority of deaf and hard of hearing students for district 81. After this course was completed we were able to bring our students a Spanish Instructor and hope to continue offering foreign language courses. A quality education is worthwhile and pertinent for future generations we thank you in advance for considering supporting APPLE! Your gift is 100% tax deductible because the APPLE parent group is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization .