What We Do: Priorities That Make an Impact
We support 3,000 students in grades TK-12 at seven public schools in Sonoma Valley. In collaboration with our local school district and other partner organizations, we proactively identify evidence-based solutions to challenges students face.
Academics
Removing Barriers to Learning
We support classroom instruction, school-district-wide learning efforts, and targeted programs that promote equity, college readiness, and academic success. These include:
We support classroom instruction, school-district-wide learning efforts, and targeted programs that promote equity, college readiness, and academic success. These include:
- Classroom Grants - SVEF's longest-running program awards one-time grants of up to $1,000 to teachers and school staff for instructional support, classroom materials, field trips, or professional development. Requests are approved monthly, giving teachers flexibility to respond to students’ evolving needs.
- Middle Math, Major Impact - This 2025-2026 pilot program is a year-long initiative to boost math achievement among the school district's middle school students. The program focuses on preparing students for success through a combination of in-school, after-school, and summer learning opportunities. The goal is to improve students’ math skills and test scores.
Wellness
Healing Made Accessible
When kids feel safe, supported, and emotionally strong, they’re ready to learn and engage. We partner with the school district to provide free, school-based mental health services and therapists across our public schools. Key services include:
When kids feel safe, supported, and emotionally strong, they’re ready to learn and engage. We partner with the school district to provide free, school-based mental health services and therapists across our public schools. Key services include:
- Wellness Centers - Drop-in spaces at Sonoma Valley High School and Altimira Middle School provide therapy, prevention, and outreach services to more than 1,500 students each year.
- Clinical Intern Program - Masters-level therapy interns work under the supervision of school district social workers to provide free individual and group therapy on school campuses to students of all ages who are referred by school staff, parents, or students.
- Boys Empowerment Groups - Young men experiencing academic or behavioral challenges meet in small groups with a local educator and facilitator to learn about emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and boundaries.
Enrichment
Life Skills for the Real World
We're the funder and lead coordinator for Empowerment Academy, Sonoma Valley's only after-school program for teens that's located right on campus at Sonoma Valley High School. It’s a place for high schoolers to find community and start building their futures.
Open two days a week, students from Sonoma Valley High School and Creekside High School can drop in for homework help or join structured programs in tutoring, job readiness, financial literacy, leadership, and more. Made possible through a partnership with the school district and Teen Services, a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, the program helps students build confidence, strengthen achievement, and thrive in and beyond the classroom.
We're the funder and lead coordinator for Empowerment Academy, Sonoma Valley's only after-school program for teens that's located right on campus at Sonoma Valley High School. It’s a place for high schoolers to find community and start building their futures.
Open two days a week, students from Sonoma Valley High School and Creekside High School can drop in for homework help or join structured programs in tutoring, job readiness, financial literacy, leadership, and more. Made possible through a partnership with the school district and Teen Services, a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, the program helps students build confidence, strengthen achievement, and thrive in and beyond the classroom.
