21ST century community learning centers program

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded the South Dakota Department of Education $6.548 million under the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers program on July 1, 2026, for the period ending September 30, 2027.

The award funds community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities for children, particularly students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools. The centers offer literacy and educational services to participating students' families, and support students in meeting state and local academic achievement standards in core subjects including reading and math through a broad array of enrichment activities.

South Dakota Department of Education administers the award as a state educational agency and distributes funds as sub-awards to multiple local educational agencies, school districts, nonprofit organizations, and community providers across South Dakota. The recipient maintains records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance for three years after completion and is subject to audit requirements under EDGAR.