Nine ESDs. One Network. Supporting Washington’s Schools and Communities.
Educational Service Districts (ESDs) of Washington State
ESDs are a vital link between public schools, private schools, and various state and federal agencies. This includes working closely with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). In Washington State, there are nine ESDs that support a total of 295 school districts. These nine ESDs comprise the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD). ESDs are critically necessary in Washington state, providing resources to facilitate the implementation of essential educational services and statewide education initiatives. The ESD structure was established in 1969 by the State Legislature to assure that quality services are available to all public and private schools in their respective service areas.
The NWESD, as part of the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD), has been actively engaged in supporting schools as they work to safely support staff and students as instructional services proceed remotely and in-person.
The NWESD Region At-a-Glance School Districts
The NWESD serves 35 school districts, Tribal Education Compact Schools (Lummi Nation K-12), and several private schools in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties. Approximately 16 percent of the state’s K-12 public school students are served in the region’s school districts, which range from large to small, urban to rural.
Photo “Aerial View of the NWESD” Les Valsquier