21ST century community learning centers program

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded the New Jersey Department of Education $31.947 million under the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers program on July 1, 2026, in the form of a formula grant.

The award funds the establishment or expansion of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment activities for school-aged children, particularly those attending high-poverty and low-performing schools. The funded centers offer opportunities for students to meet state and local academic achievement standards in core academic subjects such as reading and math, provide a broad array of enrichment activities that complement regular academic programs, and deliver literacy and educational services to families of participating children.

The New Jersey Department of Education, the state educational agency, serves as the recipient and administrator of the award. Performance occurs in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The period of performance extends from July 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. As a formula grant recipient, the New Jersey Department of Education sub-awards portions of the funding to local educational agencies, community-based organizations, and other public or private entities across the state to implement community learning center activities at the local level.