Academic Achievement

Building brighter futures for Santa Barbara County students and families by partnering with school districts and educators to identify and address key challenges, creating and delivering innovative solutions to develop school readiness and maximize academic potential.

Our Outcomes:

  • Clear, supportive pathways and opportunities for academic achievement and lifelong learning.
  • Collaborative, strong partnerships with school districts to effectively fill key service gaps for underserved populations.
  • Consistently positive academic trajectories for students countywide, supported through key academic milestones with systemic and collaborative solutions at home and school.

41,000+

Students Served

6

Partnering Schools & Districts

4

Core Programs

2013

National Summer Learning Association Award

Academic Achievement Programs

4 smiling girls in yellow shirts

Fun in the Sun

National award-winning summer learning and enrichment program.

United Learning Center

Free after-school literacy tutoring program.

Bridge the Break

On campus academic and enrichment program for Spring/Winter breaks.

girl reading a book

Enrichment Programs

Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and annual Back-to-School and holiday drives.

From Our Community

“United Way has completely transformed the way we are able to have impact here in Santa Barbara. I partner with them because they’re always there for me. Between their Fun in the Sun program in the summer and then an entire year of tutoring after school, really bridges a gap in students’ academic careers. This partnership with United Way completely changed these children’s support system for a secondary system and their future.”

Casie Killgore, Principal, Franklin Elementary
tutor and child

“The partnership between our district and local community organizations like United Way represents a model of collaboration at its best. From early intervention services to preschool enrichment programs, from family counseling and parent education to health and nutrition support, our collective efforts have created a powerful safety net for children to not only be ready for school, but to thrive and attend their college of their dreams.”

Diana Rigby, Superintendent, Carpinteria Unified School District
book cover drawing

“Michael* was struggling with school readiness skills. By the program’s end he had become an eager student who loved writing his name. He entered kindergarten confident and ready to succeed.”

-Local Program Parent *Name changed for privacy.

Location

320 East Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8591