From music teachers to instruments, SBEF has been raising funds to support music education in local schools since 2003. Today, all 5000+ elementary students learn to play an instrument during their school day. An originating partner in the Pianos on State project, SBEF also runs a year-round instrument drive.
SBEF Signature Programs
READERS ARE LEADERS
Readers Are Leaders is a new early literacy initiative designed to help TK through 3rd grade students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District build strong reading foundations during the years that matter most. By combining the power of trained community volunteers with the expertise of educators, the program ensures young readers receive the time, encouragement, and support they need to thrive.
SBEF Signature Programs
STUDENT GRANTS
The Santa Barbara Education Foundation is awarding up to $500 to individuals and groups of students in grades 9-11 for student-managed projects that enrich the academic, artistic, and/or personal development of students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
SBEF Signature Programs
SUMMER MUSIC CAMPS
Our summer music camps provide students of all skill levels with the opportunity to grow as musicians, connect with their peers, and have fun making music together. From band and strings to drumline and movement, there’s something for every young performer! We raise funds to provide scholarships, keeping these programs affordable and accessible to all families in our community.
SBEF Signature Programs
TEACHER GRANTS
Santa Barbara Education Foundation funds grants once a year to support the purchase of much-needed, project-based supplies and tools, as well as to encourage the development of creative and innovative teaching in the Santa Barbara Unified School District through adopting new technologies, instructional tools, and field trips.
SBEF Signature Programs
WE CARE
We Care supports the most critical needs of SB Unified students. In partnership with the Santa Barbara Unified School District, We Care is an initiative to support the continued needs of SB Unified students, families, and staff during this challenging time.
SBEF also proudly supports:
AVID
Prepares 4th through 12th-grade students for college eligibility. Students learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking, receive academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that show students that college can be attainable.
BRAVO!
A free, district-sponsored after-school elementary music program that is held at several school sites to provide instrument-specific instruction to 5-6th grade elementary students.
CAMPUS CANOPY
Campus Canopy supports schools in reclaiming and regenerating landscapes that provide shade, native plants, improved soil health, and wildlife habitats on school campuses, through collaboration with students, parents, faculty, administration, and grounds crews to plan and implement projects.
CONDOR CIRCLE
Condor Circle is an academic and behavioral intervention program for the most at-risk students at Santa Barbara Junior High School. Students receive one-on-one academic attention, learn organization and time management, and build life skills.
INNOVATE
Innovate seeks to change education and student engagement through a project-based, mastery learning format. The program is an innovative academic experience enhanced by the strong personal relationships built between teachers, support staff, and students. The program’s goal is to develop independent, problem-solving, critical thinkers who participate in their community and succeed in college and careers.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE WORLD SCHOOL
The International Baccalaureate World School at Dos Pueblos High School is a two-year, humanities-based curriculum for juniors and seniors that provides motivated students with rigorous, honors level coursework.
KIND MIND
Kind Mind teaches and facilitates the regular practice of mindfulness and compassion skills using a nature-based approach and provides social-emotional learning lessons to improve self-awareness, attention and emotion regulation, and social skills. Learning how to stay kind, curious, alert, and relaxed during our experiences helps students through intense emotions, stress, and anxiety. Kind Mind provides weekly lessons for all classes, ideas for daily practice, staff training, and daily support at recess and lunch–building relationships with students and helping resolve conflicts using restorative approaches.
THE LITERACY PROJECT
This program targets struggling readers and delivers research-based intervention to help students improve their skills to read at grade level. The program has expanded to include training SB Unified educators in proven literacy intervention methods to reach a larger group of students.
PARENTS UNITED/PADRES UNIDOS
Seeking to close the achievement gap among all students, Parents United/Padres Unidos delivers courses that give parents the tools needed for effective participation in their children’s education.
PEERBUDDIES
PeerBuddies provides social skills training for children and teens with social difficulties through peer mentoring in the community. Children are paired with a typically developing, same-aged or slightly older buddy who teaches and models essential life skills.
SOUTH COAST YOUTH BAND
The South Coast Youth Band is an after-school music program that provides fun band experiences and quality instruction for elementary school students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Beginners are welcome! Students rehearse weekly throughout the school year and receive instruction on their instruments from professional musicians. Performances include holiday parades, Boo at the Zoo, Winter and Spring concerts, and collaborations with local junior high school music programs.
UNHOUSED STUDENT SUPPORT FUND
Over 14% of students in SBUSD schools are considered homeless. This fund helps provide students in unstable housing with the essentials to continue their studies and participate in school activities.
WHAT IS LOVE
One in three teens in our community report experiencing dating abuse daily. Working directly with teens, parents, school staff, and community organizers, What is LOVE helps students build healthy loving relationship skills and prevents dating abuse. This researched program improves social emotional strengths, gives educators and parents the tools needed to identify abuse, and connects students to much needed resources.
YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAM
This program prevents students from engaging in violence by helping youth foster stronger attachments to their schools, families, and community. Field trips to universities along with non-traditional techniques such as Tai Chi and meditation help reduce violent behaviors and inspire students to graduate high school and attend college.