21st Century Community Learning Centers

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) 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 student 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.  Funds are appropriated annually by Congress and the made available through competitive Grant applications by State Departments of Education.

The Minnesota Department of Education has administered the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program since 2002. The purpose of the program is to establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with enrichment opportunities during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session, such as before and after school or during summer recess.

An effective community learning center engages schools and communities to address a common goal. These partnerships provide students with a broad array of academic supports, enrichment programs and school engagement opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program and help students achieve, connect and thrive.

Rochester Public Schools and Boys & Girls Club of Rochester currently lead an effort serving local youth with high doses of top quality youth development programming at ten 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

Six of these Centers are at school sites: our four middle schools (Kellogg, Willow Creek, John Adams and Friedell) and two of our elementary community schools (Riverside and Gage).

Four centers are community-based: at Boys & Girls Club, Rochester International Youth Organization, Somalia Rebuild Organization, and Somali Kulan Community.

21st Century Community Learning Center Grant funds provide equitable access for students who could not otherwise access high quality programs. These funds are braided with other, related funding sources, to make the most effective use of available dollars. Grant partners actively align their programming to support students' needs to learn the skills that will open doors to the future; allow them to connect with other people; give them knowledge and real world experiences that lead to higher level thinking and strong interpersonal skills; allow them become the adaptable, collaborative, and resilient global citizens we need for our world to sustain and prosper.

This current 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant will run to August 31, 2020.

A young person’s development is strengthened when positive reinforcement comes from many partners working together—from parents, families and caregivers who feel valued by the program and can better support their children at home, to communities that are strengthened by a positive image of youth making valuable contributions to our world.

Thus, Family Engagement and Family Services are key to the success of 21st Century Community Learning Centers and their programs. 21st Century Community Learning Centers work to engage families in their programming through events and advisory bodies; provide services for families such as English Language literacy, financial awareness and college and career advice and provide enrichment activities.

We know from talking to parents that they want better outcomes for their children in academics, enrichment and in life. Parents look for those outcomes through our 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs and the opportunities they provide.

Useful links for Families:

Sign up for District-wide communication
View District Flyers on Peachjar
Prepare for College
English Language & Family Literacy
Financial Literacy
21^st CCLC Data Privacy Notice

A grant application has been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education as part of new funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers from the Federal Government

Rochester Public Schools hopes to collaborate once more with Boys and Girls Club of Rochester to provide after-schools programming for High School Students and their families.  Also involved in the partnership will be Rochester Alternative Learning Center, John Marshall High School, Century High School, Rochester Public Library and Warsan Community Center.

We will know if our application has been successful by the end of May 2019.

Links: