In the latest California Lottery commercial, viewers are given a glimpse into a moment unfolding across the Golden State: students and teachers alike are heading back to school, stepping once again into classrooms where curiosity is allowed to flourish and big dreams are given the room to take root.

Behind this scene lies a quieter, ongoing effort, one made possible through funding provided by the California Lottery, which allows public schools throughout the state to continue supporting the programs and materials that genuinely help students thrive, rather than merely get by.

This support extends across the entirety of California, reaching public schools in all 58 counties statewide. By state law, the funding generated by the Lottery is distributed on a sequential, quarterly basis by the State Controller’s Office, flowing out to more than 1,000 public school districts across the state. Importantly, this allocation isn’t arbitrary, it is strictly determined according to average daily attendance formulas, a method specifically designed to ensure that funding is distributed equitably, in proportion to each district’s actual student enrollment.

“Going back to school is full of big feelings. It means back to friends, back to music, back to the field, back to the resources they need to learn and explore, and back to the magic of a place that believes in them. The California Lottery supports public schools in all 58 counties of California, so back to school shines brighter, no matter where you are. The California Lottery. You play, schools win,” the voiceover is heard saying in the ad.