Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Program Description

This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

21^st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Program Subgrantee Best Practice Spotlight Submission Process

The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) program is seeking assistance from State educational agencies (SEAs) in identifying innovative and engaging 21^st CCLC subgrantee programs to spotlight.  The Department’s 21^st CCLC will select up to two subgrantee programs to spotlight quarterly on its program’s landing page. 

All submissions should be made to 21stCCLC@ed.gov with the subject Subgrantee Spotlight. SEAs will need to submit a hi-resolution JPEG or PNG file and provide the following information:

• Program name and location
• Program contact information
• Student names and grades
• Description of activity, achievement, or accomplishment
• Description of the positive impact the sub-grantee brings to the overall goals and mission of the 21st CCLC program

The Department will review submissions using a scoring rubric for overall goals and participation of student, teacher, parental, and community engagement of the 21st CCLC program. The scoring rubric can be viewed here.

Please find the timeline for submissions and publication for the upcoming year below:

Thank you! The Department appreciates all you do on behalf of students and families, and we look forward to reviewing your State’s submissions. 

21st CCLC Subgrantee Best Practice Spotlight

The Department is pleased to spotlight programs being implemented using 21^st CCLC funds. 

Every Saturday students in grades 3 through 8 attend the Meadowlands Area YMCA Saturday School Academy in New Jersey.  At the academy, students work with teachers on many subjects including English language arts and math.  In addition to these academic enrichment opportunities, students can engage in a virtual chess program where they learn new skills and compete in games.  To learn more, visit Saturday School Academy.

21^st Century Community Learning Centers at Spring Independent School District

Spring Independent School District (ISD) in Texas shares how 21^st CCLC Programs (Texas ACE) can help generate positive student outcomes through equity, well-being, leadership, opportunities, and engagement. Using academic intervention techniques from high-quality instructional materials and high impact tutoring models along with strong family engagement and community partnerships, Spring ISD is making a difference in the lives of Texas Youth every day. To learn more, watch their video here.

 Please note, no official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service, or enterprise mentioned herein is intended or should be inferred.