Right At School

What a first week in North Carolina!

WTKR News 3's Will Thomas sat down with Caitlin Spruill, Assistant Superintendent for Dare County Schools, to talk about what our new after-school partnership means for families on the Outer Banks. Caitlin isn't just helping to lead this transition, she's also a parent who understands the challenge of finding affordable, reliable childcare.

With a kindergartener starting this fall, Caitlin knows the stress of waiting on application windows and hoping for a spot. Now, with Right At School taking the helm at all five Dare County elementary schools, that stress is off the table. We’re committed to eliminating waitlists, avoiding price increases, and ensuring a smoother sign-up process for every family. In Caitlin’s words: "That was a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders as a mom, because I know that my child's gonna be taken care of."

Our own Steffany Holloway, VP of Partnerships, also joined the conversation to share how we're building this program for the long haul, with staffing that scales as more families join, dedicated enrichment activities, and even new early release day coverage.

🎥 Watch the full WTKR News 3 segment here: https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/outer-banks/dare-co-schools-after-school-care-gets-major-boost-through-new-partnership

We're heading to the Outer Banks! 🌊🎉

Big news for families in Dare County, North Carolina: Right At School is partnering with Dare County Schools to bring before- and after-school enrichment to all five district elementary schools starting this fall—and it's our very first partnership​ in North Carolina! 🥇

Families can expect the same great pricing they're used to, eliminating waitlists, and flexible options for early release days, non-instructional days, and summer. Plus, all current ASEP staff are being protected through the transition, because we know the importance of the people who've already built relationships with your kids.

We are grateful to Board Chair David Twiddy for his vocal support, who at the most recent board meeting said: "Every time we came up with a question or a challenge, Right At School did everything in their power to make it work. They would come back with a solution."

A huge thank you to Superintendent Steve Basnight, Assistant Superintendent Caitlin Spruill, and the entire Dare County Board of Education for trusting us with this next chapter—and to L'Tanya Murray, whose 30 years of service helped make this partnership possible. We're also grateful to our very own Steffany Holloway for helping bring this partnership to life!

📖 Read more from the Coastland Times about what this means for the local community: https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/school/dare-school-board-approves-after-school-overhaul-recognizes-student-achievements-b8b2b93c

Spring Break Camp this year was pure magic, and our adventurers absolutely brought it to life!

We're still smiling looking back at these incredible "Quest of Legends" moments... and counting down the days until we get to do it all again at Summer Camp!

Is your child ready for their next adventure? Summer enrollment is open — tag a friend whose kid needs to be on this quest!

🏆 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! 🏆

Registration is now open for Summer Camp in Arcadia Unified School District, provided by Right At School! RAS Summer Camp will be held from June 8 - August 14 and will last from 7A.M. to 6P.M. RAS Summer Camps are packed with adventure including field trips, water games, STEM activities, arts & crafts, and indoor & outdoor play. Get more information and register at rascamps.com.
If you believe your family may quality for free programming through the ELOP grant, please review your district's eligibility process.