The St. Paul Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Centers  program (21st CCLC) is a key component of the No Child Left Behind Act. It provides an opportunity for students to improve their academic skills, and discover new abilities during times school is not in session. The 21st CCLC program takes place at six elementary schools, and one K-8 school. Each site partners with a primary community agency, and a range of other community partners, to provide academic support and enrichment programming for students. Jackson recieved this grant in June 2003, and is the reason we are able to have an expanded after school program, and summer day camp. This grant is scheduled to end on August 31, 2007.

What Are The Goals of the Grant?

• Improve/maintain school attendance
• Improve classroom performance
• Increase the percentage of participating students that meet or exceed local academic achievement standards in reading or math
• Contribute to positive youth development by providing skill development in art, music, athletics, and other enrichment opportunities

What are our results?*

• Students who attend 21st Century Community Learning Center programs have higher attendance rates and miss fewer days of school than non-participants.
• Principals find that the program targets and provides additional academic resources for studetns who struggle academically, often targeting students' specific skill deficits.
• 64% of teachers report an improvement in academic performance.
• Over 33% of students moved  up at least one stanine in both reading and math on their SAT 10.
• 93 enrichment classes offered  for students.
• Parents report that their children like going to the afterschool program and look forward to it, frequently talk about what they did in the program, like school more and want to learn, and have imporved their self esteem, social skills, and leadership skills.

Other St. Paul Schools with the 21st CCLC Grant:                                             

• Bruce F. Vento Elementary School
• Dayton's Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary School
• John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary
• Maxfield Magnet School
• Monroe Achievement Plus Community School
• Phalen Lake Elementary

*St. Paul Public Schools, 21st Century Community Learning Centers; 2004-2005 Evaluation Report, Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement; February, 2006.