#United States #Santa Maria #Think Together #California Education #Santa Maria-Bonita School

Think Together Expands Its Central Coast Reach

Think Together, the largest non-profit provider of expanded learning services in California and a part of Think Education, is excited to announce its newest partnership with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing expanded learning opportunities for students and their families across the Central Coast, starting in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

New After-School Programs Launching in Santa Maria

Beginning this fall, Think Together will initiate after-school programs at 13 designated schools within the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. This effort will open the door for nearly 100 new full-time and part-time jobs aimed at fostering a supportive and engaging environment for students outside of regular school hours. These programs will offer academic assistance, enrichment activities, physical engagement, and will focus on healthy youth development—all provided at no cost to families.

Katy Wallace, the Director of District Partnerships for Think Together, expressed enthusiasm for this new venture: "We are excited to partner with Santa Maria-Bonita School District as we become part of this incredible community. Our goal is to build strong relationships with students, families, school staff, and community members while creating programs that reflect the district's vision and meet the unique needs of the students in Santa Maria."

Community Engagement: Building Relationships Before Launch

In anticipation of the program’s launch, staff from Think Together have actively engaged with local families and community members at various events. Notable gatherings included a community fair held at Arellanes Junior High and an open house at Taylor Elementary School. These events allowed families to familiarize themselves with the new programs, ask questions, and meet staff ahead of the official start in fall.

Dr. Darren McDuffie, Superintendent of the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, emphasized the importance of such programs in supporting students: "Santa Maria-Bonita School District is committed to providing enriching opportunities that support the academic and social-emotional growth of our students beyond the classroom. We look forward to working alongside Think Together to expand access to engaging after-school experiences that benefit our students and families."

The partnership is a part of a broader initiative by the district to broaden students’ horizons and provide enriching experiences that promote learning and growth after school hours.

Selection Process and Commitment to Quality

The selection of Think Together was a result of an extensive evaluation process conducted by district leaders. They were impressed by the organization's proven track record of delivering high-quality expanded learning programs in communities with similar demographics and challenges as those found in Santa Maria.

As stated by Laurie Graack, Director of Teaching and Learning Supplemental Programs, “We took time to visit programs and see the work firsthand in communities that share many of the same strengths, challenges, and multicultural influences as Santa Maria. What stood out was the strong student engagement, the supportive learning environments, and the organization's commitment to partnering closely with schools and families to meet the unique needs of each community.”

Growth and Future Plans

This partnership with Santa Maria-Bonita School District signifies Think Together’s ongoing commitment to growth throughout California, particularly in Central Valley, Central Coast, and the Bay Area regions. In recent years, they have expanded their partnerships to encompass schools from Santa Barbara County to Sacramento County, with new initiatives emerging in both Central Valley and Northern California.

Over its 25 years of existence, Think Together has continually worked alongside schools and communities to champion educational opportunities for all students. Through innovative and scalable academic solutions, they have positively impacted hundreds of thousands of California students each year. Their areas of focus include early learning, afterschool programs, supplemental staffing, school improvement, and leadership development for educators.

For additional information on Think Together and its initiatives, prospective families and community members can reach out at (888) 485-THINK or visit their website at www.thinktogether.org. Also, follow Think Education and Think Together on leading social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.