GES Heroes

Gateway Educational Services is a Santa Barbara County learning community. More than just homework help! We are a space created specifically for youth and their families to thrive throughout the grade school process, with the goal of College in mind. As a community, we celebrate all of our members who contribute to making the learning process a joyful and uplifting experience for all.

In 16 years, Gateway Educational Services has supported students and their families throughout Santa Barbara County. From elementary school to college graduation and beyond, we see our students not only improve but thrive in their learning journey.

Student Success Stories

Every student’s journey is different, but each one reflects the impact of support, mentorship, and community. At Gateway Educational Services, we work alongside students and families to build confidence, strengthen skills, and create pathways toward long-term success.

These stories highlight the progress, resilience, and achievements of students who have grown through their time with Gateway—both in and beyond the classroom.

View our stories below:

"Because of the assistance Gateway has been able to give me, I was able to graduate with honors from the University of San Francisco, get a full ride, and land a killer job at one of the top tech companies in the world — ranked #1 for best companies to work for. I had that community around me to be successful."

— Alec T
"Gateway Education really helped bridge that gap. They helped every step of the way — with my application process, my personal statements, and my SAT and ACT scores. They answered every question that my family and I had about college. Because of them, I was able to attend San Francisco State University after graduating high school in 2016."

— Joyce

Parent Testimonials

Families are at the heart of every student’s success. At Gateway Educational Services, parents and caregivers partner with us to support their children’s growth, both academically and personally.

Hear directly from families about their experiences, the progress they’ve seen, and the confidence their children have gained along the way.

How has Gateway helped your child academically and/or socially?

Gateway has been a wonderful program for my child, who is now aged ten years old. He's been affiliated with the program for three years. He was having difficulties in school and he was having difficulties in the community. He had problems adjusting and making friends.

Because Gateway is such an all-inclusive program, it assisted him in both those areas.

Academically he has had tutoring in reading, and has done very well in the program — he's up to grade level now. And socially, he has learned, through some of their community outreach programs and social events, how to calm himself and get along with peers and staff of the program.

— Lilian Pipersberg Parent

I've referred students to them who were either struggling and needed deep, deep support in either reading and/or math. And I sent students to Gateway who were just below grade level, but they were never quite hitting grade level year after year.

Now those students are thriving! They're at or above grade level. And those students who needed deeper academic support, in English Language Arts especially, are making much progress. They're getting that deep support they need that you can't always offer in the classroom.

Gateway has truly supported my students, both in Math and Reading English Language Arts. I'm very pleased with the results, and I would send any child there. I wish this had been around when my own daughter was struggling with reading — she would have made remarkable progress with this program.

— Santa Barbara School Educator Educator

Local Community Heroes

With heartfelt thanks, we'd like to acknowledge all those who help to make our work possible. Without their contributions, our work would not be able to make the amazing impact it does in the lives of the youth we touch.

Organizations

Latino Giving Circle
Kindred/The Healing Space
CommUnify

School District Partners

Santa Barbara Unified
Goleta Union
Lompoc Unified
UMOJA SBCC