Cultivating Meaningful Connections within Rio School District
As Think Together continues to expand its impact across California, its partnership with Rio School District marks an important milestone; bringing high-quality expanded learning opportunities to the Central Coast and serving more than 1,000 TK-8 students across seven school sites while establishing a strong foundation for long-term partnership.
For Think Together Associate Director of Program Excellence Thania Vela, community trust has been central to the partnership’s success.
Since launching at the beginning of last school year in Rio, Think Together has focused on building strong relationships with students, families, and district leaders while delivering engaging academic and enrichment experiences that support the whole child.
Recognizing that Think Together was new to the area, Thania and her team prioritized family engagement from the start, creating events across multiple school sites where families could connect with staff, explore program offerings, and learn about resources available to support their students throughout the school year.
“Starting from the ground up in a new community was both exciting and challenging, but we remained focused on building trust with families and creating engaging experiences for students. The success we’ve seen is a testament to the dedication of our team and our partnership with Rio,” said Thania. “It truly takes a village, and together, we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of students while continuing to build something special for this community.”
Those efforts have translated into strong community support. According to a Think Together family survey, 95% of Rio families value the support provided through the program, and 96% said they would recommend Think Together to other families.
“I enjoy that Think Together is a safe environment for my daughter to complete her homework, socialize with friends, and release some of her energy outdoors while her dad and I are at work,” said a Think Together parent from Rio Del Mar Elementary School.
Through expanded learning programs, students strengthen literacy and STEM skills, build social-emotional comprehension, support their physical well-being, and participate in experiences that foster both academic and personal growth.
Beyond academic support, students across all seven school sites also have access to Think Together’s enrichment accelerator initiative, which offers opportunities in music, dance, sports, cultural enrichment, coding, theater, and more. These experiences help students discover new interests, build confidence, and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.
For many Rio students, Think Together has become more than an after-school program; it is a supportive environment where they feel encouraged academically, socially, and emotionally.
“Partnerships like these reflect our shared commitment to ensuring young people have access to opportunities that help them become the very best version of themselves,” said Think Together Director of District Partnerships Katy Wallace. “By working alongside Rio School District, we are bringing meaningful learning experiences directly to students and families, empowering them to thrive beyond belief.”
The Rio partnership is part of Think Together’s broader growth across California, including new partnerships with districts such as Santa Maria-Bonita, Visalia, Vacaville, Elk Grove, and Fairfield-Suisun.
Looking ahead, Think Together and Rio School District will expand opportunities even further through Think Summer, providing students with hands-on enrichment experiences during the break. Together, we’ll also launch a jump-start program for incoming TK and kindergarten students, helping the district’s youngest learners begin their educational journey with confidence.
As the partnership continues to grow, Rio School District demonstrates what’s possible when schools, families, and community organizations work together to expand opportunities for students.
