Federal Way Public Schools Offers Free, Full-Day Summer Program for Students in Grades K-7

DiscoverWorks brings daily academics, hands-on activities, meals and full-day care to FWPS at no cost to families

Federal Way Public Schools will offer a free, full-day summer learning program at this summer. DiscoverWorks combines daily reading and math lessons with hands-on activities, and meals. Families pay nothing to take part.

The program serves students entering grades 1-8 in the 2026–27 school year. It will run on a full-day schedule during June 26 through July 29. FWPS 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, and field trips. 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.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with the Ballmer Group to bring the DiscoverWorks program to Federal Way. By providing a full-day environment that blends rigorous academics with hands-on STEM and arts, we are ensuring our scholars have a safe, enriching space to spark their curiosity all summer long. This program, alongside our traditional secondary offerings, reflects our commitment to providing every student with the tools they need to stay on track and head into the new school year with confidence.” Said Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools.

Secondary Pathways: Continuing Excellence for Grades 8–11

In addition to the DiscoverWorks program, Federal Way Public Schools is proud to continue its Traditional Half-Day Summer Program. Running from June 29 – July 23 (Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.), this proven model returns with flexible options tailored for our secondary scholars.

• High School Readiness: Incoming 9th-grade scholars will participate in Freshman Success programming to ensure a smooth transition to high school.
• Core Academics: Scholars can access introductory to high school-level ELA and Math courses.
• Engaging Electives: The program includes fun, hands-on elective options to keep students engaged and inspired.

By offering both the full-day DiscoverWorks grant program and our traditional half-day secondary sessions, FWPS ensures that scholars across all grade levels have the support they need to succeed.

Enrollment and Waitlist Information

While the initial registration period for Summer Learning 2026 closed on April 24, we continue to accept interest for our programs. Families who missed the priority deadline are encouraged to join our waitlist as we work to accommodate as many scholars as possible.

To be placed on the waitlist for either the DiscoverWorks (K–7) or Traditional (8–11) programs, please reach out via the following:

• Email: dandaniels@fwps.org
• Phone: 253-945-2000

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
• FWPS DiscoverWorks Summer Learning Program

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. Puget Sound Educational Service District 121 coordinates the program across 8  school districts in our region, including Federal Way Public Schools.