ADVOCATE | 21st CCLC

Alaska 21st Century Community Learning Centers

21st Century Community Learning Centers provide competitive grants to organizations that are working in partnership within their community and schools to provide expanded learning and enrichment opportunities for communities that have low achieving students and high rates of poverty but lack the resources to establish after school centers.

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) of Alaska aims to award competitive grants to schools, community and faith-based organizations, and youth development agencies to offer high-quality extended learning and enrichment activities for children and families beyond regular school hours in a safe and secure educational environment. It targets communities with underperforming students and high poverty rates that lack the resources to establish afterschool centers.  

The federal statute governing 21st CCLC programs is part of the 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (formerly the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001). The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) maintained and strengthened the language and requirements of the Title IV, Part B legislation, ensuring continued support for out-of-school time programs.  

These 21st CCLC programs are crucial components of Alaska’s before and afterschool, as well as summer learning initiatives, and have been shown to support the academic progress of struggling students. 

21CCLC poster

  • Mentasta Lake/Katie John, Tanacross, Tetlin, Tok, Walter Northway

    Gateway Afterschool Program (GAP) provides quality K-12 afterschool programming for local youth. GAP is designed to support the regular school curriculum, reinforce social and emotional resilience, and help students establish a positive personal network of support for students who face difficult challenges. They integrate Athabascan culture into their program by collaborating with tribal councils and elders in the community to offer afterschool activities that are culturally relevant such as beading and fur sewing. 

  • Alaska Native Cultural Charter, Fairview Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, William Tyson Elementary, Lake Otis Elementary, Muldoon Elementary, Ptarmigan Elementary, Willow Crest Elementary, Wonder Park Elementary 

  • Nikiski North Star Elementary, Nikiski Middle/Senior High, Mt. View Elementary, Tustumena Elementary 

    The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula operates 4 sites (3 Elementary and 1 Middle/High) that are supported by 21st CCLC. In all 4 sites, they serve a USDA meal and transportation home. Their weekly programming consists of small group tutoring with certified teachers, art, STEM, SEL, and structured physical games (SPARK). 

  • Anne Wien Elementary, Denali Elementary, Hunter Elementary, Weller Elementary, Ticasuk Brown Elementary, Ryan Middle, Lathrop High 

    The 21st CCLC Afterschool Program in Fairbanks and North Pole operates eight sites—five at the elementary level, one at the middle school, one at the high school, and an additional site dedicated to the summer program—all supported by the 21st CCLC grant. Located within school sites, these programs offer a comprehensive experience, including snacks, structured recess or fitness activities, academic sessions, social-emotional learning (SEL) sessions, and a diverse range of enrichment classes. Actively engaging with community partners and members, these programs create a supportive and enriching environment. The EAST Summer session extends the learning opportunities into June each year. Collectively, the 21st CCLC sites in the Fairbanks area annually serve over 500 youth. 

  • Dillingham Elementary 

    After ten years in Kotzebue, in the fall of 2023 SERRC's 21st CCLC Afterschool Program moved to Dillingham Elementary School where it serves 60 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. The afterschool program provides engaging, interactive instruction focused on literacy and STEAM skills, Social Emotional Learning, and high energy physical activities. Enrolled students attend classes four days per week for 2 hours per day. Twice a month, students are involved in learning more about Alaska Native culture through art, stories, and dance. The program administration and staff strive to promote parent engagement through ongoing communication and a welcoming environment. 

  • Kake Elementary & High

  • Auntie Mary Nicoli Elementary, Aniak Jr./Sr. High

  • Wasilla Middle, Burchell High 

    The purpose of LEAD Afterschool is to provide socially and economically disadvantaged students an opportunity to take a leadership role in project-based learning; to step into a career field in the form of a CTE course; to learn how to live and think with healthy habits; to dream about a future after high school; and to demonstrate technical skills that prove they have a future.

  • Nenana City School 

    The Nenana City School District serves a K-12 population of 185 students, most being 9-12 and boarding at a nearby facility. Youth K-8 attend classes four days a week in courses such as Kids Cooking, Lego League (Lego robotics), Esports for middle and high school, Art Club, Homework Club, Running Club, Stacking cups, STEM Club, and Robotics. The high school program is gaining traction, with the introduction of Art Club at the boarding facility. Additional clubs, including Esports will begin after the first of the year, following the completion of interest surveys. The most popular high school offering is driver's education with 9 students successfully completing and passing their driving tests during the last session. 

More Resources

To learn more about this tremendous initiative, you may visit the United States Department of Education website, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Childhood Department website, or view the additional resources below: