21ST century community learning centers program

The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RI DESE) received a $6.5 million formula grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program (CFDA 84.287) on July 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. This funding supports the establishment and expansion of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment and developmental services to school-aged children attending high-poverty and low-performing schools across Rhode Island through after-school and summer programming.

RI DESE distributed the 21st CCLC formula grant as sub-awards to 17 sub-grantees, including school districts (Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Central Falls, East Providence, and Warwick), nonprofit organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, Boys & Girls Club of East Providence, As220, New Urban Arts, Providence After School Alliance, East Bay Community Action Program, Federal Hill House Association, Newport Community School, Downcity Design, and The Learning Community Charter School), and community-based entities. These sub-awardees operate community learning centers at 40+ school sites, delivering tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring, academic enrichment in arts and music, and extracurricular activities. Services partner with participating schools and community organizations to support student achievement and overall development outside regular school hours.