$2.16 million over 5 years to support successful academic after-school program
4J’s successful BEST After-School Program will continue in 2018–19 and beyond, thanks to a substantial multiyear grant. BEST provides academic support and enrichment activities for students at several schools with a high level of student need.
The 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) federal grant, awarded through the Oregon Department of Education, will provide $2.5 million over five years. The funds will allow the BEST After-School Program to serve students at six 4J schools: Chávez, Howard, McCornack and River Road/El Camino del Río elementary schools, plus Kelly and Madison middle schools.
The mission of the BEST After-School Program is to boost academic achievement and provide a wide range of enrichment opportunities to disadvantaged youth. Students are invited to participate based on academic needs, with any additional slots available to other students by request. BEST provides a safe place, fun activities and caring adults to help students keep learning after school. The program boosts students’ academic skills with tutoring and mentoring, and gives them extensive opportunities to explore enrichment activities such as art, music, science, fitness and cooking.
The results are promising. Locally, academic achievement data shows that these after-school hours often make the difference between school success and failure. Nationwide, research shows that students in after-school programs not only experience greater academic success, they also have better school attendance and behavior, have stronger peer relationships and feel safer at school, develop stronger relationships with adults, and their families feel more connected to the schools.
Community partners are an important part of BEST’s success. Partnerships include:
• University of Oregon (math and reading tutors)
• City of Eugene and Eugene Family YMCA (enrichment activities that focus on STEM, health & wellness, leadership, service learning, creative arts, sports, as well as outdoor and environmental awareness)
• School Garden Project (“STEM in the Garden” curriculum projects)
• Little Hands Can (community building enrichment)
• Eugene Symphony and Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras (music and singing instruction)
• Looking Glass Community Services (services solving challenges related to educational deficits, behavioral health issues, drug addiction and homelessness)
• NEHS Robotics Team (computer science program)
• The Dance Factory (dance classes)
• and more.
In addition to the in-kind contributions from community partners, financial donations also have helped the BEST program continue and add more students in recent years. Community supporters include Oregon Community Foundation, Eugene Education Foundation and local Rotary clubs.
The new CCLC grant will provide a total of $2.16 million over five years—$480,000 per year for the first three years and $360,000 per year (75%) for years four and five. The competitive CCLC grants are funded through the federal Title IV-B program, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, and are designed to improve student achievement in high-poverty schools through high-quality programs offered outside of the regular school day.
BEST continues to seek community connections to expand services to more students.
