Building on Success:
2025-26 Review &
Next Steps for 2026-27
21st CCLC Program Overview
The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC)
Grant is a federally funded program supporting out-
of-school-time community learning centers.
The following presentation provides data from the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 grant years. Of note, there were 34 grantees and 89 centers during 2023-24, 34 grantees and 81 centers during 2024-25, and 33 grantees and 75 centers during 2025-26. Please keep this in mind when viewing comparisons of prior year data.
PROGRAM CONTEXT
7,872
unique K-12 students served between
Summer 2025 and School Year
2025-26.
While the total number of school year
participants decreased from 2023-24 to
2025-26, there were also fewer centers in
operation...
Students Served In School Year Programming
SCHOOL YEAR 25-26
SUMMER 2025
Overall participation decreased from Summer 2024 (15 to 6 days)
and SY 2024-25 (48 to 35 days).
On average, students participated...
91
hours
38
hours
(about 6 days)
(about 35 days)
This represents an 18%
difference gain from the
prior year!
67 centers out of 75 (89%) reported family
participation activities during the 2025-26 school
year.
Family Participation
While the number of adults participating in family engagement events in
2025-26 is down from 2023-24, it is an increase from 2024-25 GY.
Family Events
02
PARTICIPATION
are students who attend 90+ hours in
programming. A goal is to maximize "regular"
attendance as research shows students who
attend at least 90+ hours experience more
positive outcomes (academics, behavior,
etc.)!
Regular Attendees
DEFINITION
41% of students were regular attendees.
This is an increase in regular participation
compared to 2023-24 (33%) and 2024-25
(38%)!
How did we do?
Most regular
attendees were
elementary
grades (PreK-5).
Regular Participation by Grade
Span
PARTICIPATION REPORT • 2026
NOTE: 2025-26 was also the first year when sites were able to change their
targets!
Attendance Targets
61% of sites
met their
target!!!
Sites set a target for the number
of students to be served in their
applications.
This is a big increase from
2023-24 and 2024-25 when 39%
and 36% of sites met their targets.
Student Subpopulations
21st CCLC centers serve a variety of student
subgroups. Let's see how we compare to
statewide stats!
Compared to statewide statistics, 21st CCLC serves a higher proportion Native
American students and other students of color, and students with special
needs.
Student
Demographics
Participation by
Grade
Elementary (grades PreK-5) make up the majority of total
students.
Goals of 21st CCLCs are to help students
meet core standards in academic subjects
such as language arts and math while also
offering a broad array of youth
development and enrichment
opportunities in high-quality programs.
What We
Provided
The top 5 student activities show that
21st CCLCs offer a broad array of
programming with a dual focus on
academics and youth development! This
is consistent with prior years.
Top Five Student
Activities
211 total unique family activities were offered
in 2025-26. This is an increase from 2023-24
(182 activities) and 2024-25 (167 activities).
Family Activities
Family
Engagement
Targets
Approximately 82% of centers met the
goal of offering at least 2 family
activities during school year, up from
58% and 46% in the previous grant
years!
Programming
Achievements
87% of K-12 students participated in
community or volunteer opportunities
All of the above targets were
met!
94% showed improvement in life
skills
87% demonstrated social emotional
skills
Achievements in Student
Engagement
All engagement-related targets met!
90% of staff reported incorporating
youth voice/choice regularly
90% of students actively engaged in
their 21st CCLC program
83% of K-5 improved in student
engagement as measured by school
teachers
Parent
Survey
Results
"Without the program, I wouldn't have a place for my
children to while I'm at work! They are safe and have so
much fun while at after school program! They always ask
to stay later than what I normally pick them up!"
Top 5 responses to "What has been the most
positive results of your child's participation
in the 21st CCLC program?"
Positive relationships and social
development
Enrichment and skill building
opportunities
Enjoyment and engagement in
programming
Academic support and
progress
Safety and constructive use of
time
"I think the [program] is so fun, every time I finish
school I am excited to come here"
Student Survey Key Takeaways
• Students value fun and
engaging programming.
• Clubs and activities were a
central reason for positive
views.
• Program described as
"something they loved."
• Appreciation for time spent
with friends.
• Kind and helpful teachers/staff
were highlighted.
• Concerns noted regarding
bullying and safety.
• Desire for more diverse
activities and field trips.
• Requests for active and
unstructured outdoor time.
• Requests for better or
different food choices.
Fun & Engagement
Social Dynamics
Program Variety
Who were our staff?
21st CCLC staff are essential to creating safe, supportive, and engaging
out-of-school-time programs!
Let's Hear it for 21st CCLC Staff!
Programs were operated by 962 staff members. This is a significant increase from 2024-25 (677 staff).
The majority of program staff are school day teachers and non-teaching school staff (52%).
Staff Impact &
Satisfaction
Caregiver satisfaction with
staff communication
Students feeling physically
and emotionally safe
Students felt supported by staff in
their program
Students felt connected to
peers (belonging)
97%
93%
94%
89%
Who were our
partners?
21st CCLC partners expand resources, expertise, and opportunities for students and families.
619 unique partners were reported with
an average of 20 partners per grantee.
28% provided programming support,
15% provided goods.
Let's Celebrate
Our Partners!
04-06 STAFF, PARTNERS & THANKS
Thank you for all you do for our
students and families!
"You guys made my senior year
better, and not just with all the letters
of recommendation! Thank you for
coming to my games and awards too.”
“Honestly, the MAPS program was the
most important part of my high school
life. It was my escape, my safe space
where I could express myself and really be me.”
“Thank you for letting me go into club
for free my family doesn't have a lot
of money.”
From Our Students
"Afterschool program is fun and
I want to come to it every day!"
Caregiver
Feedback
“Great socialization, allows my
husband and I to have
childcare option that doesnt
cause financial hardship.”
“We don't know where we would
be without this program for our
daughter! We are both able to
continue working outside of the
home while knowing our
daughter is safe and happy!"
"They are an amazing group of
people and I will be sad when
my kids out grow it"
“Their grades have improved
dramatically this year with them
in the program and they are
much less stressed at home
with school worries”
FAMILY VOICE
📈
✨
🤝
🛡️
“The after school program has done an amazing job of
providing activities that encourage healthy habits,
culturally relevant, and STEM thinking. The program has
done activities such as moccasin making, healthy
fitness activities, and 3D printing.”
“Our after-school program is essential for our students
and parents. The program allows time for students to
get extra practice in areas the struggle and finish
homework before their parents pick them up, allowing
for more family time in the evenings.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn
relevant technological skills that public schools
cannot. Students are learning college and career
readiness skills as young as 12.”
School Admin
Feedback
ADMIN FEEDBACK
🏫
📑
⚡
Thank You from all of
us!
Your partnership and collaboration have been invaluable
this past year.