Two Charleston County rural schools win grant to help students after school
December 7, 2016
Two Charleston County schools will receive nearly $700,000 to launch after-school programs through a federal grant program aimed at providing academic and enrichment activities at high-poverty schools.
St. James-Santee Elementary in McClellanville and Minnie Hughes Elementary in Hollywood are among 19 schools statewide to receive funding through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Grant program.
“This grant will be a critical component to increasing our students’ access and opportunity during the after school hours,” said St. James-Santee Principal Dr. Joe Sampson. “The additional opportunities will essentially extend the school day for our students, providing them with meaningful academic, social-emotional, and community support. Ultimately, it will serve to support our efforts to help close the academic and opportunity gap.”
The grant activities will begin during the spring semester of this school year and will continue through the end of the 2019-20 school year. The 21st Century program will offer 50 students at each school, academic assistance through tutoring along with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities and recreation. The grant funding averages $2,000 per student per year for a total of up to $700,000 over the 3 1/2 years.
“This award will be used as a bridge to work with the local community and will allow us to increase academic and enrichment opportunities for these students,” said Ashley Peters, CCSD Department of Expanded Learning Program Officer. “Our ultimate goal at the end of the day is to ensure college, career, and citizenship readiness for all of our students.”
The 21st CCLC program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
“Our department is thrilled to receive this grant award. It helps us continue to build capacity and increase access to high quality after-school programming for more CCSD students,” says Jason Sakran, Director of Expanded Learning for Charleston County School District.
For more information about the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant program, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html.
About the Charleston County School District Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that span 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 86 schools and several specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region. CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities led by associate superintendents. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.
