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                                                     School Mission and Facts

Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian Saturday School (AKLS) of Riverhead, NY is a nonprofit organization (IRS Tax exempt # 36-2985877) formed for educational pursuits, operating under the rules of the Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA. The council belongs to the Lithuanian American Community of the US which is part of the Lithuanian Community of the World.

Mission: AKLS works to foster young American Lithuanians’ (immigrants or children of the immigrants) love for the Lithuanian language, traditions and culture, to encourage their love for Lithuania, to develop their creativity.

Operation: The school has been serving about 500 members of Lithuanian community of the East End of Long Island since 2006 when it was founded thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Alexandra Kazickas. Thirty two Saturdays each year, four hours per Saturday, AKSL is attended by approximately twenty five students, ages 3 to 17. They learn the Lithuanian language, history and culture. AKLS provides students with multiple ways of learning through educational and enrichment experiences and opportunities through participation in trips, festivals and camps. These activities prepare students for activist roles and offers networking opportunities to stimulate Lithuanian heritage and culture.

Funding: The program is sponsored by the Kazickas Family Foundation. Additional funding comes from tuition, the Lithuanian Foundation, the Lithuanian Educational Council of USA, local businesses of Long Island and fundraising.

Alexandra Kazickas (AKLS and AKGP): Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian School (AKLS) set a foundation for the Alexandra Kazickas Grant Program (AKGP) established in 2012 to support Lithuanian Heritage Schools in the US. This program within the Kazickas Family Foundation honors the memory of Alexandra Kazickas, (1920-2011) the late wife of Dr. Juozas P. Kazickas and the mother of Jurate, Joseph, Alexander (d. 1976), Michael and John. She was deeply committed to the preservation of a Lithuanian identity for young people growing up in the US.

Alliance of Heritage Languages in the US: Lithuanian Heritage schools of the US are part of the Alliance of Heritage Languages in the US. The Alliance is committed to advancing language development for heritage language speakers in the United States as part of a larger effort to educate members of American society who can function professionally in English and in other languages. You can read more about it at: "Heritage Language in America."