Wahluke DiscoverWorks Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Naylea Jimenez, Student Support Services Program Assistant 509-932-4565 | WSD_Summer@wahluke.net
May 13, 2026
Wahluke School District Offers Free, Full-Day Summer Program for Students in Grades 1–9
DiscoverWorks brings daily academics, hands-on activities, meals and full-day care to Saddle Mountain Elementary and Wahluke Junior High at no cost to families
[Mattawa, Wash.] — Wahluke School District will offer a free, full-day summer learning program at Saddle Mountain Elementary and Wahluke Junior High this summer. DiscoverWorks combines daily reading and math lessons with hands-on activities, enrichment opportunities and meals. Families pay nothing to take part.
The program serves students entering grades 1–9 for the 2026–27 school year. It will run on a full-day schedule Monday-Thursday from June 22 through July 28, 2026. Wahluke School District is one of 19 school districts selected to take part across Washington.
About the Program Each day, DiscoverWorks combines daily instruction in reading and math with hands-on enrichment, including arts and STEM, sports. The program provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks in a safe and structured setting.
“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."
“Washington has been our home for a long time,” Connie added. “We’re excited for students to participate in this program, which has been very popular with both kids and families. Summer is an essential time for fostering growth and sparking curiosity in learners.”
Proven 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.
Summer 2026 is the first time this program has been offered in Washington. Students in two educational service district (ESD) regions will take part: Puget Sound ESD in King and Pierce counties, and ESD 105 in Grant, Klickitat, Kittitas, and Yakima counties. After this pilot year, DiscoverWorks will expand to more regions across the state.
“Wahluke is excited for this year’s DiscoverWorks summer program! The partnership with the Ballmer Group will allow us to serve more kids than we have in probably a decade. In addition, there are no restrictions on student enrollment. And finally, more flexible spending is allowing our team to plan an extremely engaging summer program. All of this has obviously led to huge summer enrollment numbers, and in some grades, wait lists. Again, we can’t thank the Ballmer Group enough, and we’re beyond excited for DiscoverWorks summer 2026!” said Andrew Harlow, Superintendent, Wahluke School District.
How Families Can Sign Up
School staff shared registration information and next steps during parent-teacher conferences early in April. Registration will continue through May 8th. Families can pick up a registration form at their child’s school or register online here.
Program Criteria School districts applied to participate in the program. Eligible schools meet all of the following criteria:
● Be a traditional public school, charter school, or tribal school
● Be located within ESD 105 or Puget Sound ESD regions
● Serve a student population with at least 50% qualifying for free lunch
● Provide in-person programming for students entering grades 1 through 9 in fall 2026
Learn More
● DiscoverWorks Website
● Media Kit
The Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) and Ballmer Group launched DiscoverWorks to expand access to high-quality summer programming. Ballmer Group funds the program, which means families pay nothing. ESD 105 coordinates the program across 11 school districts in our region, including Wahluke School District.
About Wahluke School District
Wahluke School District serves approximately 2,200 students from preschool through 12th grade in Mattawa, Washington. Guided by its mission, “Every Student, Every Day,” the district is committed to empowering and inspiring students for all opportunities in life through a focus on equity, kindness, and belonging. Wahluke School District partners closely with families and the community to provide high-quality learning experiences that support student success both in and out of the classroom.