Skip to content

Make a difference with us

Donate
Our Work > Programs

Thriving Minds

Thriving Minds is Back!

Parents of Thriving Minds After School campuses, if you’re looking for a place for your child to learn, create and grow after the school day ends, you’re in the right spot! Thriving Minds After School is a Big Thought program that provides elementary and middle school youth with after-school educational experiences on campus.

Learning doesn’t stop when the final bell rings! Along with offering engaging hands-on learning experiences, the program helps youth complete their homework and practice key skills, including reading, math, vocabulary and creativity.

We’re proud to work with our district partners for the 2024-25 school year. 

Our 2024-25 School Year Campuses

  • Anne Frank Elementary School
  • Harry C. Withers Elementary School
  • Lakewood Elementary School
  • Montessori Academy at Onesimo Hernandez
  • Nathan Adams Elementary School
  • Prestonwood Montessori/E.D Walker
  • Rosemont Lower Elementary School
  • Rosemont Upper Elementary School
  • Sudie L. Williams TAG Academy

If your school is not listed, let us know.

What do you focus on in the program?

Youth connect with their peers and use their imagination while building physical, cognitive and emotional strength. This time typically includes a snack and structured playtime with social and emotional learning themes.

Academic Foundations

Early childhood learners focus on foundational concepts, including identifying numbers, counting, listening and vocabulary. Youth in grades 1-5 work on their assigned homework each day with support from site staff.

Creative Exploration

Youth practice using their creativity to solve problems, make choices, build digital fluency and persist through challenges.

Social & Emotional Learning

Youth develop and recognize their strengths in five key SEL categories: self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, social awareness and relationship skills.

What are the hours of the program?

The program begins immediately after school dismissal, and pick-up time is 6:00 p.m., following your school’s pick-up policy. Children will be escorted from their classroom to the Thriving Minds program location on their school campus by a member of the school or program staff. Once your student is placed in the program, we will provide you with a Parent/Guardian Handbook that includes information on what they should bring and any other guidelines.

How Do We Apply?

  • Confirm that your child attends school at one of our designated campuses.
  • Complete the application form following the instructions below.
  • A Big Thought program contact will follow up with you about your application and inform you about your child’s placement in the program.

What Do I Need to Complete the Application?

You will need to have the following information ready:

  • Your student’s school ID number
  • Health insurance information for the student (insurance company name and phone number)
  • Emergency contact information (name, phone and email address)
  • Approved persons who can pick up the student (name, phone and photo ID information
Photo of Keila Williams

Leadership Team

Photo of Alexus Williams

Alexus Williams
Sr. Site Specialist, Rosemont
214-926-6160


Contact Info

Photo of Brandi Reed

Brandi Reed
Prestonwood Montessori/E.D. Walker
972-765-9372

Contact Info

Photo of Chantel McCleveland
Photo of Jadean Keeton
Photo of Nora Wilson
Photo of Quenesha Curry

Impact Stories

Big Thought Names Erin Offord As New Chief Executive Officer

Under Offord’s leadership, Big Thought is poised to expand its national impact, advancing education and driving transformative change for young people.

Read More

A Year of Collective Impact

Check out Big Thought's 2023 Annual Report to see the impactful milestones and stories that shaped this year.

Read More

Big Thought Announces New Board Leadership And Members

DALLAS – July 15, 2024 – Big Thought is proud to announce the appointment of a new board chair, a dynamic leadership...

Read More

Play + SEL = Out of School Time Success

By Tiffany Self & Déjà Bailey At Big Thought, equipping all youth to imagine and create their best lives and world is...

Read More

Dallas City of Learning 2023 Report

Big Thought, serving as the backbone agency for Dallas City of Learning (DCoL), has continued its focus on enhancing out-of-school time (OST)...

Read More

Big Thought Receives $1 Million Grant to Empower Youth

DALLAS, TX – AUGUST 21, 2023 – Big Thought (BIG THOUGHT), a Dallas-based organization dedicated to closing the opportunity gap through empowering...

Read More

Big Thought Announces New Board Members & Slate, and Appoints Vana Hammond as Board Chair

DALLAS – July 19, 2023 – Big Thought has elected a new board chair, officers and board members to its board of...

Read More

Big Thought and Mr. Cooper Co-Pilot Creativity for Families at the Dallas City of Learning Turn Up

Let creativity soar to new heights with hands-on STEM activities, arts and crafts at the Frontiers of Flight Museum DALLAS – JUNE...

Read More

Keeping Youth at the Center in Thriving Minds After School

During the 80 percent of waking hours youth spend outside of school, after school programs keep up the momentum of learning. Creative exploration,...

Read More

City of Dallas Wins 74th Annual All-America City Award for Creating Thriving Communities Through Youth Engagement in Denver, Colorado

This article first appeared here.  The National Civic League honored Dallas, Texas on Sunday, among ten 74th Annual All-America City recipients.    “We are happy to...

Read More