High Dosage Tutoring Strengthens Learning in Colton Joint Unified School District
For many students, summer is a time to recharge, explore new interests, and create lasting memories, but it can also be an opportunity to strengthen academic skills and prevent learning loss before the new school year begins.
This past summer, Think Together’s High Dosage Tutoring (HDT) program helped make that possible for hundreds of students in Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD), providing targeted academic support that kept learning moving forward.
The High Dosage Tutoring program operates alongside Think Together’s CORE programming, with students participating in three weekly 30-minute tutoring sessions throughout the school year. Each session is led by trained Think Together tutors alongside certified classroom teachers, creating a collaborative learning environment where students receive individualized instruction tailored to their needs.
Across CJUSD, the HDT program spans 17 school sites and serves up to 1,000 students in grades one through six. Through intentional literacy instruction, students build foundational reading skills, strengthen comprehension, and gain the confidence needed to succeed in the classroom.
“The success of High Dosage Tutoring reflects the strength of our partnership with CJUSD and the dedication of our staff and educators,” said Alberto Barajas, Think Together Executive Director of Programs, San Bernardino region. “Together, we help students strengthen foundational skills and build momentum for long-term success.”
Now in its second summer incorporating HDT into Think Together’s summer session, the program reached a major milestone. For the first time, Think Together staff worked directly with certified teachers to deliver tutoring sessions during the school day, allowing students to seamlessly transition from classroom instruction to focused, small-group academic support.
For second grader Kyro, HDT was something he was hesitant about at first. He was worried it meant missing out on all the fun learning activities and experiences going on through Think Together’s summer session. As time went on, Kyro discovered there was a balance between the tutoring sessions and participating in the summer fun.
He eventually started coming into tutoring with a smile, actively participating during each instructional session, and even enjoyed tracking his progress through the program’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. His growth in both confidence and enthusiasm mirrored his academic progress.
“With HDT, even 30 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference. We see that impact in the data as students strengthen their skills, make progress, and move closer to where they need to be,” said Sabirna Hernandez, Think Together High Dosage Tutoring Program Supervisor. “For me, that is what makes HDT so crucial: we are not just helping students learn; we are giving them consistent support, encouragement, and someone who believes in them. Being able to look back and see how far a student has come is a reminder that every session, every connection, and every minute we invest truly matters.”
The HDT program takes a village to get students like Kyro to where they need to be and ensure everyone involved is aligned to their goals. A strong foundation of partnerships is built with school site stakeholders, including principals, teachers, families and Think Together Site Program Managers to identify and recruit students who would benefit from additional academic support.
To ensure every lesson makes an impact, Think Together’s HDT program partners with Amplify, an online platform that supports lesson delivery, attendance tracking, progress monitoring, and benchmark assessments. Every seventh lesson, students’ progress is measured, allowing tutors to adjust instruction based on each student’s growth and academic needs.
Beginning-of-Year and End-of-Year assessment data collected through Amplify shows significant academic growth among participating HDT students, demonstrating that consistent, individualized instruction can make a meaningful difference in student achievement.
As Think Together continues expanding opportunities for students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom, programs like High Dosage Tutoring demonstrate the power of mission-driven educators working together to accelerate learning.
With the High Dosage Tutoring program set to continue throughout the 2026–2027 school year at Colton Joint Unified School District, even more students will have the opportunity to strengthen their learning and be on a path towards long-term achievement.
