Think Together Recognizes Paramount Unified School District as its 2026 Champion of Change Award Recipient

Together, Think Together and Paramount Unified serve 3,308 students in the district with quality expanded learning opportunities. Think Together, California's largest nonprofit expanded learning service provider and a division of Think Education, has honored Paramount Unified School District with its Champion of Change Award at an award presentation during the district's board meeting on May 13 and at a Principal's Breakfast event on May 20.

Since 2022, Think Together and Paramount Unified have collaborated to provide enrichment and academic support to students across 15 school sites from TK-8. Paramount Unified is Think Together's second-largest district partner. Think Education Founder and CEO Randy Barth emphasized the importance of the relationship, stating, "The partnership Think Together has with Paramount Unified really comes down to the relationships, the established trust and working towards a shared commitment to elevating student success."

A key aspect of this collaboration has been the expansion of enrichment offerings, which include various programs designed to enhance students' learning experiences. Through partnerships with organizations such as Orange County School of the Arts and Street Soccer USA, students are engaging in activities like ballet folklórico, mariachi, and STEM-based learning. Think Together Executive Director Eddie Garcia remarked on the significance of these programs, noting, "Bringing quality afterschool experiences to students is monumental to the district."

The partnership also provides before-school learning and educational opportunities during non-instructional times, with programming available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Paramount Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Joshua Lightle described this initiative as a comprehensive, expanded learning ecosystem that integrates academics with enrichment and social-emotional development, thereby supporting the district's instructional priorities and equity commitments.

For over 25 years, Think Together has worked with schools and communities to improve educational opportunities for children. As a division of Think Education, it implements various academic solutions that aim to change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students each year.