We co-create just and humanizing educational communities where every student thrives and succeeds, benefiting future generations. 

  • Press Releases
Free, full-day summer program launches in Washington in 2026
Discover Works Logo

TUMWATER, Wash. — Thousands of Washington students in King, Pierce, Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat, and Grant counties will soon gain access to DiscoverWorks—a new free, full-day summer learning and enrichment opportunity designed to help students thrive over the summer months.

The Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) today announced that 105 schools in 19 school districts will participate in the 2026 launch of DiscoverWorks Washington, a full-day summer youth academic and enrichment initiative. The program is being piloted in the Puget Sound and Yakima areas in 2026, with the goal of expanding statewide in the future. The initiative is fully funded by Ballmer Group.

For a full list of the participating schools, check out the DiscoverWorks website.

DiscoverWorks serves students entering grades one through nine in the 2026–27 school year at participating public, charter, and tribal schools in Educational Service District 105 (Yakima area) and Puget Sound ESD 121 (Seattle area) regions. To be eligible to host the program, 50% or more of the school's population must qualify for free lunch. The program is offered at no cost to families, and includes academic instruction, enrichment activities, meals, and full-day care.

DiscoverWorks keeps students engaged and active during the summer months. The program combines daily reading and math instruction with hands-on activities such as field trips related to arts, STEM, and sports. Students learn and explore in a safe, structured, and fun environment.

“Summer programs are powerful drivers of student success,” said Connie Ballmer, Co-Founder of Ballmer Group. “Schools want to provide more summer learning opportunities for students, but many can’t afford to. DiscoverWorks helps fill that gap. It provides a safe, engaging place for kids to learn and grow over the summer, with strong results for students and meaningful support for families."

A Proven Model with Strong Results

DiscoverWorks builds on the success of a program launched in Southeast Michigan in 2024, which grew to serve 30,000 students in 2025. Students showed measurable gains in both reading and math, with the greatest improvements among those who started the program furthest behind academically. Families and educators reported high satisfaction, noting that students felt more prepared and confident heading into the next school year.

“What we want every student in this program to take away is to remember that the adults in this community care about them, that we care enough for them that we planned this program with them in mind, that we know in the summer you don't want to go to school,” said Dr. Maria Lucero, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for Yakima School District. “We know that you just want to have fun. And we want you to remember that you can have fun and learn in the summer.”

About the Partners

The Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) unites Washington’s nine Educational Service Districts to strengthen learning opportunities for all students. The AESD Network connects schools with resources, coordinates statewide programs, and builds partnerships that expand what individual districts can accomplish. Learn more at www.waesd.org.

Ballmer Group is committed to improving economic mobility for children and families in the United States by investing in leaders and organizations that reshape opportunity. The organization focuses on systems that expand access to early learning, K–12 education, college and career pathways, housing, behavioral health, and criminal justice. Ballmer Group is both a national and regional funder, with deep investments in Southeast Michigan, Washington State, and Los Angeles County. Learn more at www.ballmergroup.org.

Learn More

PSESD News Banner

Archive

A smiling teacher in a burka assists two child students with a painting project in class.

Family engagement is one of the central tenets of Educare Seattle's work. It's one of the things that sets the program apart—a “whole child” approach that allows learning to extend beyond the classroom, bringing families and staff together to build community.

That approach was on full display earlier this month at Educare Seattle's first STEAM Night, which took place on March 26th, 2026. STEAM learning stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, and is designed to foster creativity and problem-solving skills in young learners.

Read More about Educare Seattle's STEAM Night Brings Families Together Around Learning
Young students sit at keyboards in class

Each year, the Washington State Board of Education's Washington School Recognition Program highlights schools that demonstrate exceptional progress in key areas of student success. 

They have now announced those schools that are being recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program for performance during the 2024-2025 school year, and this year, 163 schools in the PSESD school districts were recognized, out of a total of 379 public schools recognized in 150 school districts across the state of Washington. 

Read More about PSESD Celebrates 28 School Districts Recognized for Growth by Washington State!
A visual group of student art pieces including a painted portrait, an abstract, a textile dress with flowers, and a surreal painting

Here at PSESD, we're excited to celebrate the incredible talent of our young artists participating in the 2026 Regional Superintendent High School Art Show!

Each year, this show reminds us of the depth and power of student creativity. Through both their artwork and their personal reflections, these students share stories filled with emotion, insight, and courage.

As the 2026 Art Show unfolds, we invite you to recognize and honor these remarkable students for generously sharing their creativity and vision with us.
 

Read More about Announcing the Winners of the 2026 Regional Superintendent High School Art Show!
A smiling woman with flowers stands among a smiling group.

The PSESD Board of Directors was delighted to meet Maryan Abdow, the 2025 Classified School Employee of the Year, who visited the Board on April 22, 2026. Maryan was introduced to the Board by Amber McCulloch, the Senior Director of Learning, Teaching, and Family Support at PSESD, and who runs the Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year programs.
 

Read More about Maryan Abdow Honored by PSESD Board of Directors
Smiling schoolchildren next to a school bus

When districts need to understand their financial health but can’t afford expensive data visualization tools, they’re at a disadvantage. Joli Valentino, PSESD’s executive director of business and operations, envisioned a fiscal dashboard that would serve all districts. Under her leadership and the direction of Justin Lanting, director of school finance, a team spanning four educational service districts — PSESD, ESD 113, ESD 114, and ESD 171 — built a free, interactive fiscal dashboard using data from OSPI.

Read More about Making School Finance Data Work for Everyone
A smiling woman holds flowers in the middle of three people posing for an award photo.

Puyallup School District has announced their 2026 Celebrating Excellence Award recipients.

Now in its fourth year, the Celebrating Excellence awards program honors and recognizes staff, volunteers, and community partners for their outstanding work and unwavering commitment to excellence in supporting the success of students and schools within the Puyallup School District. This annual program serves as a testament to the remarkable dedication and contributions of those who go above and beyond in fostering a thriving educational community.

Read More about Puyallup School District Announces the 2026 Celebrating Excellence Award Recipients