STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

With his heart set on Cornell University, Chase Schwartz turned to The Space for help preparing for his SAT test.

Tutors at the afterschool program helped him review eighth-grade math and other curriculum, and the teenager was able to raise his SAT score by 300 points. Now, he is helping other students at The Space with their math.

“It’s cool to see these kids learning and excited to learn,” said Schwartz, whose parents owned DaVinci's Restaurant for many years. “The kids there view learning as something they get to do, not something they have to do.”

Board member Cecilia Giacobbi says she knows of a couple family members who could have benefitted from the services The Space provides: “What I like about it is that you don’t HAVE to be there. You get to choose to be there.”

Schwartz, who plans to study hotel administration and hospitality, is one of several students who have benefitted from The Space since it opened in Hailey five years ago. And he was on hand to greet those attending The Space’s second annual Scholar’s Garden fundraiser held this past week at The Valley Club.

The young greeters were enthusiastic and helpful, bubbling over about their experience at The Space.

“I came here when I was 11 with my family from Huancaya, Peru, and I don’t regret it at all,” said Jheremy Ferrua Ames, who came to The Space for help with math and now serves as a student mentor. “I love the people here. I love the place, like getting to ski Baldy, and I love playing my trumpet.

“The Space has supported me in every way. I was scared because I had to do a graduation speech at middle school. But, with their help, I stood up in front of a hundred people and aced it. They told me, ‘Don’t give up. Don’t lose faith in what you’re doing.’ Now, I’m helping people inside The Space and outside The Space.”

Board president Regan Nelson offers her remarks next to a picture of student mentor Angel Guzman, a sophomore.

Amaro Contreras, 11, said he loves the hands-on activities, such as building catapults out of sticks and rubber bands: “I’ve learned a lot there. And they teach us: Don’t put yourself down if you do something wrong.”

Board Chair Reagan Nelson told guests that 70 percent of the $1.15 million budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year is funded by donations. And about 75 percent of the programming is provided free of charge due to the inability of some families to pay the full amount for tutoring by skilled professionals.

Aaron Bronson, the executive director of the organization, told supporters that In Blaine County 40 percent of students start middle school below grade level in reading and 60 percent of high school students start below grade level in reading.

Sixty percent of middle school student start below grade level in math and 50 percent of high school students start below grade level in math.

Denise Natalie Salinas, who sought help for college counseling four years ago, is the new intake coordinator at The Space.

The Space assisted 290 students in sixth-through 12 grades last year—a 34 percent increase over the year. On average, it works with 30-plus students a day. Ninety percent of the students saw improvement in math scores; 88 percent improved their grades.

This summer The Space has helped students practice bilingual language skills, learn measurements while learning to cook, take a bike tour of Hailey, practice pickleball and build a mini-town using math and other skills.

“I get to witness the transformation,” Bronson said. “They get a place to belong, and they don’t have to earn it—they just show up. We help teens take ownership of their learning and we give them choices.

“We’re not just talking about grades. We’re not just talking about an educational gap,” she added. “We’re talking about an opportunity gap. These kids are going to become the leaders, the creators, the caretakers of this valley long after we’re gone. When teens thrive, we all thrive.”

Chase Schwartz, with The Space board member Leslie Kaplan and The Space supporter Esther Ochsman, will pursue a degree in hotel administration and hospitality and a minor in real estate at Cornell University.

Denise Natalie Salinas just joined the staff at The Space. Kate Ristow helped her navigate the college admission process in The Space’s infancy, and Salinas graduated in June from the University of Denver with a double major in political science and Spanish. Now, she will work with Hispanic families whose children are receiving tutoring at The Space.

“My parents come here from Michoacan, Mexico—where the little girl in the movie “Coco” comes from. My dad came here for work in the 1980s and he moved my mother and grandmother here after he got his green card,” she said.

“I was born here, and I’ve always been a good student. I got straight A’s, but I didn’t know the college process, and Kate helped me select a school and write a personal statement.  Now, I’ll be the first contact for these families—they’ll see that I’m one of them.”

Want to learn more? Visit https://thespaceidaho.org/en/home/.