黑料福利社

Thousands of Washington's first through ninth grade students will have access to free summer programming this year, thanks to a youth academic and enrichment initiativ别.听

The Association of Education Service Districts announced the launch of DiscoverWorks Washington, a program that provides a free, full-day summer learning program to students, according to the press releas别.听聽

Of the 19 school districts participating in the pilot, eight are in Yakima County: East Valley, Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato and Yakima.聽

鈥淪chools want to provide more summer learning opportunities for students, but many can鈥檛 afford to," Connie Ballmer, Co-Founder of the Ballmer Group, said in a news release. "DiscoverWorks helps fill that gap."

To qualify, these school districts met the requirement that 50% of their student population qualified for free lunch. The program will include academic instruction, enrichment activities, meals and full-day care at no cost to families.聽

Students will engage in daily reading, math, STEM and sports, and will participate in hands-on learning activities that include field trips.聽

Programming begins in June and runs through July, except for Mabton, which runs through August. Information on DiscoverWorks, eligible schools and enrollment can be found on the 别.听

Dates and locations are subject to change based on enrollment and availability. The grades served will vary by school district.聽

In the Yakima School District, the program will serve students who will finish kindergarten through eighth grade this school year. It will run on a full-day schedule from June 29 to July 27. Families can find registration information at . Enrollment closes on May 8.

In Wapato, the program will take place from June 26-July 24. To register, go to and click on "summer learning."聽

More on DiscoverWorks聽

DiscoverWorks Washington is a grant program funded by the philanthropic Ballmer Group, founded by ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife, Conni别.听聽

The program launched in Southeast Michigan in 2024 before expanding to Washington, intending to becomes statewide in the future.

"Families and educators reported high satisfaction, noting that students felt more prepared and confident heading into the next school year," the news release states.

Students have shown measurable gains in reading and math. Students who were the furthest behind academically made the most significant improvements, the release adds.聽

Evaluation data show a threefold increase in student proficiency in English language arts and a twofold increase in student proficiency in math, according to the Ballmer Group.聽

"Summer programs are powerful drivers of student success," Connie Ballmer said in the press releas别.听

DiscoverWorks Washington is an expansion of the Ballmer Group's investments in K-12 education in Washington.聽Along with summer program, the group has committed to investing $170 million annually toward early learning in the state.