🏆 Congratulations to Samantha Villeda, Area Manager in California, one of Right At School's newest GEM Award winners!
Sam's story is one of coming full circle. She grew up benefiting from afterschool programs, which is exactly why she chose this work.
Since joining RAS in 2020 as an educator, Sam has risen quickly, now overseeing programs across some of California's most competitive districts. In just two years back in her home base of Los Angeles, she's opened three new districts—South Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica-Malibu—with more expansion already on the way.
Her approach is rooted in trust. She recalls a student in Palo Alto who struggled to attend school more than once or twice a week. Through the consistency and care Sam's team showed him, he became a program regular, eventually going months without a single school absence.
That human-first approach defines everything Sam does, from the way she engages ELOP coordinators and district liaisons, to the bi-weekly newsletters she introduced to keep families connected on California's many closed campuses.
Ask Sam about the award, though, and she'll tell you it belongs to her team. That kind of leadership is exactly what a GEM looks like.
Congratulations, Sam! 🏆
#ExpandedLearning #AfterSchool #DistrictPartnerships #RightAtSchool
This past weekend, hundreds of children and families showed up at Sunrise Elementary in @SchoolsPuyallup for Right At School's 5th Annual Egg Dash, and the energy was electric!
What started as a school program tradition has grown into one of the most anticipated free spring events in the community. 🥚🌸
This year, we added something new: we raffled off four grand prize vouchers for a FREE week of Right At School summer camp. 🏅
Seeing families react in real time to those treasure finds? Priceless.
Events like this are a reminder of why we do what we do. Thank you to all the staff, district partners, and families who showed up to celebrate spring with us.
#RightAtSchool #BeforeAndAfterSchool #CommunityMatters #Puyallup #WashingtonState #SchoolPartnerships #EggDash2025
Congratulations to @jimcarrollCOO on being named the new Superintendent of @YCSD! 🎉
Jim has dedicated years of outstanding service to the York County community as Chief HR Officer, COO, and Assistant Superintendent, and we couldn't be more excited to see him step into this new well-deserved role.
When our Area Manager, April Thomas, heard the news, she knew exactly what to do. She and her team rallied our Right Club kiddos in York County to make Jim a stack of handmade cards. Heartfelt congratulations straight from the students he's spent his career showing up for. 💙
On Thursday, April delivered them in person, and Jim showed the kind of leader he is by stopping what he was doing to read a bunch of them right then and there.
We are so proud to be a part of the York County Schools community, and we can't wait to see all that's ahead under Superintendent Carroll's leadership.
Congratulations, Jim! The kiddos are cheering for you!
#YorkCountySchools #YCSD #RightAtSchool #K12Education #CommunityPartners #EducationLeaders #TeamYCSD #LeadYCSD
Stephanie Hover leads Right At School's growth across the Midwest in five states. Steph realized her purpose, to always do what's best for kids, as a teenager. Since then, Steph is committed to challenging the status quo and being an agent of change in public education.
Steph has driven RAS's tremendous growth in Missouri, expanding our partnerships from one to ten over the past 2.5 years.
Steph believes that real growth is rooted in relationships. She emphasizes that embracing the unknown and being willing to "make the ask" is crucial, whether engaging with district leaders or collaborating across internal departments.
For superintendents thinking about expanded learning partnerships, her approach is simple: every district has a different vision for out-of-school time, and the right partner figures out how to match it. That's the job, and she does it well.
Congratulations, Steph, on your well-deserved GEM Award! 🏆
#ExpandedLearning #AfterSchool #DistrictPartnerships #RightAtSchool
🏆 Congratulations to April Thomas, Area Manager in York County, VA—one of Right At School's newest GEM Award winners!
April seamlessly manages 10 schools and a team of 57 staff. She's the person principals call when PTA attendance is low and when a family needs a second chance at finding the right fit for their kid.
She is, by every measure, a problem solver.
Her approach to leadership is straightforward: invest in your team the way you want them to invest in the kids. April trains her program managers to own their programs, think independently, and bring forward solutions. The result is a team strong enough that she can step away to support new market launches in Henrico, Hanover, and Orange without York County missing a beat.
She also brings something rare to this work—over 20 years of history with York County schools, going back to her days as Area Manager for another after-school program provider. When Right At School took over programming there, April came with the territory. With a foundation of trust and strong relationships already built, enrollment has grown from roughly 700 to over 1,300 since.
Thank you, April, for all that you do!
#ExpandedLearning #AfterSchool #DistrictPartnerships #RightAtSchool
Still reflecting on an inspiring week at @AASAHQ.
From superintendent conversations at our booth to a powerful session on in-person learning and connection vs. AI, #NCE2026 reinforced a simple truth: students thrive when learning stays authentic and human.
We’re grateful to the district leaders who shared their perspectives, their challenges, and their commitment to building learning environments where students feel connected, supported, and prepared for life.
Take a look at some of this year's highlights. Until next year!
#AASA2026 #ExpandedLearning #HumanCenteredEducation #EducationLeadership #WholeChild
Last week, the Right At School team was proud to join district leaders, educators, and partners at the @ACSA_info 2026 Every Child Counts Symposium, a premier gathering focused on student services, special education, and whole-child learning.
Our own Dr. @KateVincentLCSW presented alongside @MtDiabloUSD Administrators Cherie Gann and Robert Humphrey on expanding equitable enrichment for students with unique needs.
Great conversations at our booth reinforced why access, equity, and partnership matter.
Thank you to ACSA and the Student Services & Special Education Council for bringing together educators committed to delivering high-quality, whole-child education for every learner. Until next year!
Last week, Right At School joined district leaders from across the country at the @DA_magazine Superintendents Summit in Palm Beach, Florida.
Our Superintendent-in-Residence, Dr. Joshua Starr, shared insights on “Partnerships with Purpose”—highlighting how strong, values-aligned collaborations between districts and expanded learning providers can drive meaningful outcomes for students, families, and school communities. 📈
Grateful for the thoughtful conversations, shared learning, and leadership shaping the future of education.
#RightAtSchool #SuperintendentsSummit #DALeadershipInstitute #LeadershipInAction #EducationLeadership
What does meaningful literacy engagement look like in practice? It looks like fully engaged students, present and attentive leaders, and organizations working seamlessly in partnership together.
At Schuyler Elementary, a shared commitment to early literacy came to life through a collaborative book giveaway and read-aloud with @KearnySupt Encarnacao last week—reinforcing the importance of access, consistency, and family-centered learning beyond the school day. 📚
Proud to partner with @RARnational and @minds_luminous to support literacy efforts across the Kearny School District.
#RightAtSchool #EarlyLiteracy #DistrictPartnerships #ExpandedLearning #EducationImpact
Yesterday's read-aloud with @KearnySupt brought literacy to life for students at Schuyler Elementary.
The students were ecstatic to receive new books before the holidays, and the energy in the room reflected what’s possible when districts, providers, and community partners come together around early literacy and student learning.
We’re proud to partner with @RARnational and @minds_luminous to help inspire a love of learning that continues well beyond the school day and into homes across the Kearny School District.
#RaisingAReader #LiteracyMatters #FamilyReading #CommunityPartnerships
Today at Schuyler Elementary in Kearny NJ, Right At School partnered with @RARnational, @minds_luminous , and the Tepper Foundation to support early literacy through a district-wide book bag giveaway—placing high-quality, bilingual books directly into the hands of 350 students ahead of winter break.📚
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding literacy and strengthening family reading routines at home, especially during the upcoming holidays. We’re grateful to the Kearny School District and @KearnySupt for their leadership and partnership.
More highlights from today’s event—including a special student reading—coming soon.
#RightAtSchool #LiteracyLeadership #CommunityPartnerships #ExpandedLearning #EducationImpact #EarlyLiteracy
Right At School is proud to partner with Missouri districts to bring learning to life, with hands-on STEM fun, art projects, and new ways for students to build friendships and confidence every day.
Our programs spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence--supporting students, families, and schools alike. 🎓✨
@LadueSchools@PattonvilleSD@ValleyParkSD
#RightAtSchool #AfterschoolFun #MissouriEducation #WeAreLadue #TheLadueWay #PattonvilleStrong #VPpride
New Mexico is rolling out universal childcare, and other states are watching.
In his new Albuquerque Journal op-ed, our Superintendent in Residence Dr. Joshua Starr breaks down what it will take to make this historic effort succeed, including high-quality, trusted partners and careful, locally driven implementation.
Read the full piece via @ABQJournal: https://t.co/5tssLBdmyw
#UniversalChildcare #NewMexico #ChildcarePolicy
If you guessed the Windy City as our final stop on the Heart of RAS Road Show… you were right! 🌬️🏙️
Today we closed out our multi-state trip with an energizing visit to John C. Coonley Elementary School, where we spent the afternoon connecting with dedicated educators and experiencing firsthand the joy and momentum behind Chicago’s after school programs.
Special thanks to Principal Brennen Humphrey, Assistant Principal Sarah McLinden, and Dean of Students Chris Dillon for having us.
Their commitment to nurturing student engagement and building supportive, thriving school communities reflects the absolute best of @ChiPubSchools.
We’re extremely proud to support CPS communities with high-quality expanded learning that strengthens school-day goals, boosts social-emotional development, and helps families thrive.
Thank you all for following us along on our 2025 Heart of RAS Road Show - until the next one!
#RightAtSchool #ExpandedLearning #CPSStrong #EducationLeadership #AfterSchoolPrograms #PartnershipInAction
Another great day on the Heart of RAS Road Show—this time in San Antonio, visiting after school programs at Woodridge Elementary in @AHISD and meeting with Communications Director Julie Ann Matonis and @MrRenoAHISD 💙💛
CEO Letta Simon and Founder Mark Rothschild spent the afternoon connecting with students and educators who fill our programs with creativity, care, and enthusiasm. From hands-on activities to hallway high-fives, it was all heart at Woodridge. 🐴🆙
Next up: our final stop! Any guesses where we’re headed? Here’s a hint: we’ll need our coats for this one. 🏙️🌬️
#RightAtSchool #HeartOfRAS #DistrictPartnerships #ExpandedLearning #EducationLeadership #NoPlaceLikeAHISD #RASRoadShow #MulesUp
This week, we hit the road!
Our CEO Letta Simon and Founder Mark Rothschild kicked off the 2025 Heart of RAS Road Show in South Pasadena, connecting with incredible educators and district partners who bring learning to life.
From classroom creativity to conversations about student engagement, we’re proud to partner with districts like South Pasadena Unified that share our commitment to helping every student thrive.
Follow us along to our next stop: @AHISD in San Antonio. ✈️
#RightAtSchool #HeartofRAS #ExpandedLearning #DistrictPartnerships #StudentSuccess #WeAreSPUSD
#SPUSD
📣 District Spotlight: @YCSD (VA)
At Right At School, safety and student engagement are at the heart of everything we do. Thank you, Dr. Shandor, for trusting us as a partner in serving your community.
#RightAtSchoolImpact#DistrictLeadership#EducationEquity #AfterschoolSolutions
We did it, Cleveland! 🧦📷
Right At School students across 20 programs in the Cleveland area helped Walls of Love smash a Guinness World Record — collecting 17,715 pairs of socks for those in need in just one hour!
From decorating donation bins to rallying classmates, our students showed what it means to give back and build community together.
We’re proud to have collaborated with @WallsOfLove1, the Lorain City School District, and so many generous families to make this record-breaking moment possible.
📷Catch the full story on @fox8news: https://t.co/6GogRtivC4
#RightAtSchool #WallsOfLove #GuinnessWorldRecord #CommunityStrong #Cleveland #KindnessCounts