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21st Century Community Learning Centers: Complete Guide to California's 21st CCLC Program

Unlock federal funding for your after-school programs! Discover how California's 21st CCLC grants provide up to $254,500 annually for five years to transform student success.

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California's 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program has been transforming educational opportunities for students across the state for over two decades. This federally funded initiative provides critical support to students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools, offering them academic enrichment and safe environments during non-school hours.

What Is the 21st CCLC Program?

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is a federally funded initiative authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Nationally recognized as the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, it represents the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to supporting out-of-school time programs.

In California, the program is administered by the California Department of Education's Expanded Learning Division and defined by Education Code sections 8484.7–8484.9. The program provides five-year competitive grants to establish or expand before-school, after-school, and summer programs that deliver academic enrichment opportunities to students in transitional kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The Evolution: From No Child Left Behind to ESSA

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, signed into law in January 2002, initially authorized California's 21st CCLC program. When ESSA reauthorized the program in 2015, it brought renewed emphasis on evidence-based practices, state and local accountability, and comprehensive student support.

Today, the 21st CCLC program serves nearly 1.4 million students nationwide through grants awarded by state education agencies, with funding allocated based on each state's share of Title I funding for low-income students.

California's 21st CCLC Structure: Two Distinct Programs

California divides its 21st CCLC funding into two complementary programs serving different grade levels:

21st CCLC Elementary and Middle School Program

Serves students in transitional kindergarten through ninth grade, providing comprehensive before-school, after-school, and summer programming that emphasizes academic support and enrichment activities.

After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs)

Focuses specifically on high school students in grades nine through twelve, offering programs designed to support college and career readiness while providing academic enrichment and family literacy services.

Program Purpose and Core Objectives

The 21st CCLC program operates with clear, federally mandated purposes:

For Elementary and Middle School Programs:

Create community learning centers providing academic enrichment during non-school hours
Target students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools
Help students meet state and local academic standards in core subjects like reading and mathematics
Offer broad enrichment activities complementing regular academic programs
Provide educational services to families of participating students

For High School ASSETs Programs:

Provide local flexibility in establishing or expanding community learning centers for high school students
Deliver academic enrichment opportunities complementing regular academic programs
Support college and career readiness
Assist with literacy and educational development services for families
Create safe environments for student participation

Eligibility: Who Can Apply and Who Can Participate

Grant Applicant Eligibility

A diverse range of organizations can apply for 21st CCLC funding, including:

Public and private entities
Local educational agencies (LEAs)
Community-based organizations
Faith-based organizations
Charter schools
Cities and counties
Parks and recreation departments
Nonprofit organizations
For-profit corporations
Consortiums of multiple agencies

Critical Requirement: Applicants must propose to serve Title I schools that either:

Have schoolwide programs, OR
Have at least 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals AND the school is either in Program Improvement or has been determined by the LEA to be in need of intervention and support

All programs must serve the families of students attending these schools.

Student Eligibility

Every student attending a school operating a 21st CCLC program is eligible to participate, subject to program capacity. Programs particularly prioritize students who:

Attend high-poverty schools
Attend low-performing schools
Need additional academic support
Would benefit from enrichment opportunities

Grant Funding and Awards

Five-Year Grant Structure

California's 21st CCLC program awards competitive grants for five consecutive years, providing sustained funding that allows programs to develop, mature, and demonstrate impact. This extended timeline enables:

Program planning and development
Staff training and retention
Community partnership building
Continuous quality improvement
Measurable student outcomes

Funding Amounts

Elementary and Middle School Programs:

Base grant: Up to $112,500 per year, per site
Large school adjustments available for schools exceeding enrollment thresholds
Elementary schools with more than 600 students qualify for additional funding
Middle schools with more than 900 students qualify for additional funding

High School ASSETs Programs:

Grant awards up to $254,500 per year, per site
Based on proposed student enrollment and programming plans

Important Note: Funding is contingent upon the availability of federal funds and the enactment of each respective federal and state budget act. Grant awards are subject to semi-annual attendance and reporting requirements.

Required Program Components

21st CCLC programs must deliver comprehensive programming that addresses multiple student needs:

Academic Enrichment

Programs must provide academic enrichment activities that:

Help students meet state and local academic achievement standards
Focus on core subjects including reading/language arts and mathematics
Incorporate literacy skill development
Offer tutorial services and homework assistance
Use evidence-based instructional practices

Enrichment Activities

Programs offer a broad array of enrichment opportunities such as:

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities
Arts and cultural programs
Physical fitness and recreation
Service-learning projects
Career exploration and preparation
Character development and social-emotional learning
Drug and violence prevention
Technology education

Family Engagement

A distinctive feature of 21st CCLC programs is the requirement to offer educational services to families, including:

Family literacy programs
Parent engagement opportunities
Educational workshops
Parent-teacher communication support
Resources for supporting student learning at home

Operating Requirements and Program Standards

Program Hours and Scheduling

After School Programs:

Must begin immediately upon conclusion of the regular school day
Must operate for a minimum of three hours per day
Must operate at least every regular school day
Must establish policies for reasonable early release of students

Before School Programs:

Must operate for a minimum of 1.5 hours each regular school day
Must establish policies for reasonable late arrival of students

High School ASSETs Programs:

Must operate for a minimum of 15 hours per week
Can operate after school only, or combine after school with before school, weekends, summer, intersession, and vacation periods

Summer, Intersession, and Vacation Programs:

Programs serving the same students during non-school periods must operate a minimum of 4.5 hours per day

Professional Development

Programs may close for up to three days per year for professional development purposes, using funds from the total local grant allocation. This closure requires advance notice and justification to the Expanded Learning Division.

The Collaborative Planning Requirement

Federal statute requires that all 21st CCLC programs develop through a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders:

Required Participants:

Parents of participating students
Youth participants
Representatives from participating schools or LEAs
Governmental agencies (cities, counties, parks and recreation departments)
Community-based organizations
Private sector partners

This collaborative approach ensures programs reflect community needs, leverage existing resources, and build sustainable partnerships beyond the grant period.

The Competitive Application Process

Application Timeline

While specific dates vary by funding cycle, the typical process includes:

RFA Release: The California Department of Education posts the Request for Applications
Applicant Training: Virtual trainings and assessments for all applicants and co-applicants
Application Development: Preparation of comprehensive program proposals
Submission Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by specified deadlines and submitted through designated systems
Peer Review: Independent content review experts evaluate applications using standardized rubrics
Award Notification: CDE announces grant awards after rigorous review

Application Components

Complete applications include:

Program narrative describing proposed services
Evidence of collaborative planning
Budget proposals
Organizational capacity documentation
Evidence-based program design
Evaluation plans
Sustainability strategies

Applications are submitted through multiple systems:

ASSIST (After School Support and Information System) for program details
FAAST (Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool) for budget narratives

Quality Standards and Continuous Improvement

California's 21st CCLC programs must align with the state's Quality Standards for Expanded Learning Programs, which emphasize:

Safe and Supportive Environment: Programs create physical and emotional safety
Active and Engaged Learning: Students participate in hands-on, interactive activities
Skill Building: Programs develop academic, social-emotional, and life skills
Youth Voice and Leadership: Students have opportunities for choice and leadership
Healthy Choices and Behaviors: Programs promote physical and mental wellness
Diversity, Access, and Equity: Programs serve all students equitably
Quality Staff: Programs employ qualified, trained staff
Clear Vision, Mission, and Purpose: Programs operate with defined goals
Collaborative Partnerships: Programs leverage community resources
Continuous Quality Improvement: Programs engage in ongoing evaluation and refinement
Program Management: Programs demonstrate effective administration
Sustainability: Programs plan for long-term viability

Maintaining Good Standing

To remain in good standing and eligible for continued funding, programs must:

Submit attendance reports in a timely manner
Submit expenditure reports on schedule
Complete required evaluation reporting
Resolve any audit findings
Address any Federal Program Monitoring issues
Work actively with assigned Regional Consultants and Fiscal Analysts

Programs not in good standing face potential withholding or termination of funding and become ineligible to apply for additional funds.

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation

Reporting Requirements

21st CCLC programs must:

Track and report student attendance semi-annually
Document program expenditures
Conduct program evaluations measuring student outcomes
Submit data through the federal 21APR (Annual Performance Report) system
Participate in state evaluation efforts

Key Performance Indicators

Programs are evaluated on multiple measures, including:

Student academic improvement in core subjects
School-day attendance improvement
Behavioral improvements
Homework completion rates
Student engagement and participation
Family engagement levels

Demonstrated Program Impact

National and state evaluations consistently demonstrate 21st CCLC program effectiveness. Research shows students regularly participating in programs:

Academic Outcomes:

Show improvements in reading and mathematics grades
Complete homework more consistently
Demonstrate better understanding of academic content
Make progress toward meeting academic standards

Behavioral and Engagement Outcomes:

Attend school more regularly
Display improved classroom behavior
Show increased engagement in school
Develop stronger relationships with peers and adults

Family Benefits:

Parents report improved student academic performance
Families gain access to educational resources
Parents increase engagement with schools
Families develop stronger literacy skills

A 2021 evaluation of California's ASES and 21st CCLC programs found that students regularly participating in programs attend school more often, are more engaged in school, and see improvements in their academic performance.

21st CCLC vs. Other California Expanded Learning Programs

Understanding how 21st CCLC relates to other expanded learning funding helps schools maximize resources:

21st CCLC Program

Funding Source: Federal (through ESSA)
Grant Period: Five years
Process: Highly competitive
Focus: Schools with high poverty and low performance
Family Component: Required

ASES (After School Education and Safety)

Funding Source: State (Proposition 49)
Grant Period: Three years with renewal
Process: Competitive, priority to high FRPM schools
Focus: Elementary and middle schools
Current Funding: $794 million statewide

ELOP (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program)

Funding Source: State
Focus: Transitional kindergarten through sixth grade
Requirements: All schools meeting criteria must offer programming
Integration: Can be combined with ASES or 21st CCLC through cost-sharing

Geographic Funding Distribution

California ensures equitable distribution of 21st CCLC funding across regions. The state utilizes geographic boundaries defined by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association:

Northern California: Regions 1–4
Central California: Regions 5–8
Southern California: Regions 9–11

This geographic consideration helps ensure rural, urban, and suburban communities all have access to 21st CCLC funding opportunities.

Support Systems for Grantees

System of Support for Expanded Learning

California provides comprehensive support to 21st CCLC grantees through regional teams comprising:

System of Support for Expanded Learning (SSEL) County Leads
CDE Expanded Learning Division Consultants
Fiscal Analysts

These regional teams provide:

Technical assistance
Professional development
Program monitoring
Quality improvement support
Networking opportunities

Professional Learning Opportunities

Grantees access:

Statewide conferences
Regional workshops
Online training modules
Peer learning networks
Evidence-based practice resources

The Future of 21st CCLC in California

As federal funding levels are determined annually by Congress, the 21st CCLC program's future depends on continued federal appropriations and state advocacy. However, the program's proven track record of improving student outcomes ensures its continued importance in California's educational landscape.

The program's emphasis on evidence-based practices, comprehensive student support, and family engagement aligns with California's broader educational goals and commitment to equity. As schools and communities continue recognizing the importance of expanded learning opportunities, 21st CCLC programs remain vital resources for students who need them most.

Getting Started with 21st CCLC

For Organizations Interested in Applying

Monitor CDE's Website: Watch for RFA announcements at the Expanded Learning Division funding page
Assess Eligibility: Determine if you serve or can partner with eligible schools
Build Partnerships: Begin collaborative planning with schools, community organizations, and families
Develop Capacity: Ensure organizational readiness to manage a five-year federal grant
Attend Trainings: Participate in required pre-application trainings when offered
Plan Thoughtfully: Develop evidence-based programs aligned with quality standards

For Families Seeking Programs

Contact Your School: Ask if your child's school operates a 21st CCLC program
Explore Community Options: Check with community-based organizations serving your area
Review Program Offerings: Understand the academic and enrichment components offered
Complete Enrollment: Submit required registration forms during open enrollment periods
Stay Engaged: Participate in family activities and program evaluation efforts