Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program
Title IV, Part B, of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
What Is the Purpose of Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program?
The purpose of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant (21st CCLC) program is to create community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities, as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program. 21st CCLCs must also offer families of these students literacy and related educational development. Centers--which can be located in elementary or secondary schools or other similarly accessible facilities--provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development, including tutoring and mentoring, homework help, academic enrichment (such as hands-on science or technology programs), community service opportunities, as well as music, arts, sports, and cultural activities. At the same time, centers help working parents/guardians by providing a safe environment for students when school is not in session.
Learn more by reading the 21st Century Community Learning Center 2020-21 Annual Report or by watching an Introduction to Wisconsin 21st Community Learning Centers:
A list of current Wisconsin 21st CCLC Grantees may be found here.
What Student Populations Are the Priorities for 21st CCLCs?
21st CCLC funds will support centers that primarily serve students from schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from low income families (defined as qualifying for free and reduced lunch, although other sources of objective data in addition to free and reduced lunch count may be used to establish eligibility). In addition, eligible applicants proposing to primarily serve students from schools with significant academic deficiencies will receive priority for grant awards.
Guiding Principles for 21st CCLC Programs in Wisconsin
21st CCLC programs across Wisconsin are dynamic and complex environments that require innovative approaches to achieving the most impact for youth. No one setting is the same and there are many ways for programs to achieve excellence. DPI has developed a set of principles to help guide programs in that work. These guiding principles can both serve as a foundation and be adapted to local situations. It is the DPI's hope that the principles will inspire and provide direction to Wisconsin 21st CCLC programs as they strive to provide high quality out-of-school time experiences to students across the state.
Download the Guiding Principles for WI 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs here
Email Distribution List
To participate in an electronic email distribution list for Wisconsin 21st CCLC programs, contact Jake Wilson at 608-264-9327.