21st Century Community Learning Center Program

logo image of Nita M Lowey 21st century program

                                    21st Century

Lehigh Elementary

School address: 200 Schoolside Ct, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

School phone number: 239-369-2477

21st Century Community Learning Centers at Lehigh Elementary

2025-2026 School Year

September 16, 2025 – May 21, 2026

Mondays -Thursdays 3:15 - 5:45 PM

21st Century Team

Betul Guner

[email protected]

239-369-2477 ext. 314

 

Coordinator

Randy Stewart

STEM Teacher

Anthony Thomas

SPARK Teacher

Nichole Martin

ELA Teacher

Cecilia Joseph Defoe, Deborah Yordy

Instructional Support Staff

  

  
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is a key component of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, the specific purposes of the federal law are to:
  • provide opportunities during non-school hours for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, who are academically eligible, to meet the challenging State academic standards;
  • offer students a broad array of additional services, programs and activities during non-school hours such as youth development activities, service learning, nutrition and health education, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, arts, music, physical fitness and wellness programs, technology education programs, financial literacy programs, environmental literacy programs, mathematics, science, career and technical programs, internship or apprenticeship programs, and other ties to an in-demand industry sector or occupation for high school students that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and

 

      

Initial value

Lehigh Elementary is the proud recipient of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. These centers are located at elementary schools serving grades K through 5 including Franklin Park Elementary; Tice Elementary; Edgewood Elementary and Us. Each program serves students who have been identified for additional academic support and enrichment. Each program has certified teachers and uses project-based lessons to increase student academic achievement.  The programs will also focus on the social-emotional health and well-being of the students.

Family members of students served by the programs are requested to participate in a series of workshops to learn how best to support students in their academic development. These workshops are offered monthly throughout the school year.  Community agencies will join the effort and support families and students in the program and these include:  United Way; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Sylvan Learning; IMAG History and Science Museum; Florida State University and Dunkin.

The after school program will meet daily Monday through Thursday each day that school is in session.  Students selected for the program are expected to attend on a daily basis. Designated, certified Teachers work in tandem to support the project-based lessons in a rotation schedule that includes English Language Arts/Social Emotional Learning and Math, Science/STEM. Students also participate in research-based Health and Wellness programs.  Student achievement is monitored through the use of pre and post testing. quarterly grades and rubrics.  Students receive both snack and supper and homework assistance from staff during the after school time.  Transportation is provided.  The program is free to eligible students and families.