Connecticut State Department of Education Announces $15 Million in 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants to Expand After-School Opportunities

Press Releases

10/07/2026

(Hartford, CT) – The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) today announced the recipients of the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grants, which will provide approximately $5 million annually for three years to support 25 programs offering after-school academic enrichment, student supports, and other learning opportunities.

The 21st CCLC program is funded through Title IV, Part B of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act and represents one part of Connecticut’s broader investment in after-school programming. The federal funding is in addition to approximately $5.3 million in separate state funding supporting 41 after-school programs during the 2026–27 school year, bringing the combined state and federal annual investment in after-school programming to approximately $10 million this school year.

The 21st CCLC grants enable school districts and community-based organizations to establish or expand learning centers that provide academic enrichment and other services when school is not in session. The programs serve students attending schools with high concentrations of low-income students and are designed to complement classroom instruction while strengthening connections among students, families, schools, and community partners.

“After-school programs are an important part of how we support students and families beyond the traditional school day,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “By combining state and federal resources, Connecticut is expanding opportunities for students to receive academic support, participate in enriching activities, and spend time in safe and supportive environments while giving working families additional options for their children.”

“The 21st Century Community Learning Center grants support after-school programs that connect students, families, schools, and communities while extending opportunities for learning and engagement beyond the traditional school day,” said Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker. “Together with Connecticut’s state investment in after-school programming, these resources reflect a broader, systemic approach to supporting student success, health, and well-being. Through academic support, mentoring, enrichment, wellness activities, and strong relationships with caring adults, these programs help empower every learner’s educational journey while providing families with safe, structured options during non-school hours.”

Programming includes tutoring and academic assistance; science, technology, and other academic enrichment; mentoring; community service; music and the arts; athletics and physical activity; health and wellness; cultural programming; and family literacy, engagement, and educational opportunities.

The programs are intended to support improved academic achievement, regular school attendance and engagement, positive student behavior, physical and emotional well-being, and access to safe and supportive environments outside the regular school day.

Expanded Access to Federal Funding

The CSDE received 55 applications through the competitive 21st CCLC grant process. Applications were reviewed and scored in accordance with the criteria established in the request for proposals.

Based on the federal funding available for the 2026–27 school year, the CSDE is funding 25 programs beginning October 1, 2026, for the current school year. These awards will continue for three years, subject to continued federal funding and compliance with program requirements.

Due to the high quality of applications, the CSDE is able to announce approximately $2 million in additional funding for 11 additional recipients for a three-year cohort beginning in the 2027–28 school year. This approach would allow additional highly rated applicants to plan for implementation beginning July 1, 2027, subject to consistent federal appropriations. Award recipients for this cohort are listed in the second table below.

2026–27 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Recipients

Lead Applicant	School(s) Served	Year 1 Award
Boys & Girls Club of Meriden	Edison Middle School	$116,789
Boys & Girls Club of Stamford	Hart Magnet Elementary; Stillmeadow Elementary; Roxbury Elementary; and Westover Elementary	$226,117
Bridgeport Light House Program	Barnum-Waltersville School; Classical Studies Magnet Academy; Edison School	$227,500
Bridgeport Public Schools	Beardsley Elementary School; Bryant Elementary School; Park City Magnet School	$227,500
Bristol Public Schools	Ellen P. Hubbell School; Ivy Drive School; South Side School	$226,781
Catholic Charities, Hartford	McDonough School	$224,543
East Hartford Public Schools	Anna E. Norris Elementary School; Robert J. O'Brien Elementary School	$169,042
EdAdvance BASES Torrington	Torrington Intermediate School; Torrington Middle School	$102,887
Interdistrict School for Arts & Communication, New London	Interdistrict School for Arts & Communication	$227,500
Manchester Early Learning Center	Verplanck Elementary School	$226,568
Middletown Public Schools	Bielefield Elementary School	$136,626
Middletown Public Schools	Spencer Elementary School	$107,501
Monitor My Health, Inc. Killingly	Killingly Intermediate School	$227,500
Monitor My Health, Inc., Hamden	Church Street School	$227,500
New London Public Schools	Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School	$201,474
Organized Parents Make A Difference, Hartford	Environmental Sciences at Mary Hooker School	$227,500
Stamford Police Activities League, Inc.	Westhill High School	$227,234
Stamford Public Schools	Rippowam Middle School	$191,975
The Carver, Norwalk	Side by Side Charter School	$94,349
The Carver, Norwalk	Marvin Elementary School; Naramake Elementary School	$227,500
The Carver, Norwalk	Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School	$227,027
The Carver, Norwalk	Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School; Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School	$227,500
The Village for Families and Children, Hartford	S.A.N.D. School	$189,371
The Village for Families and Children, Hartford	Burns Latino Studies Academy	$189,371
Waterbury Public Schools	Bucks Hill Elementary School; Chase Elementary School	$227,500
	Total	$4,905,155

2027–28 Cohort Recipients

Lead Applicant	School(s) Served	Total Amount
Bristol Public Schools	Stafford School; Mountain View School; Greene-Hills School	$249,210
Catholic Charities, Hartford	Thirman L. Milner Middle School	$246,750
East Hartford Public Schools	Mayberry Elementary School; Langford Elementary School	$185,760
Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention	Louis P. Slade Middle School; Pulaski Middle School; DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School	$77,689
Groton Public Schools	Fitch High School	$49,140
Middletown Public Schools	Beman Middle School	$112,257
New Haven Public Schools	Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet School; Edgewood Magnet School; Hill Central School	$248,400
New Haven Public Schools	Davis Street Arts and Academics Interdistrict Magnet School; Bishop Woods School; FAME	$248,400
The Village for Families and Children, Hartford	Alfred E. Burr Middle School	$208,100
Waterbury Public Schools	Bunker Hill Elementary School; Driggs Elementary School	$250,000
Waterbury Public Schools	Wallace Middle School; Academy at Wallace Middle School	$248,410
	Total	$2,124,116

For more information about Connecticut's state-funded after-school grant program and the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, visit CSDE Afterschool Programs.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2026

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Matthew Cerrone

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