21st Century Community Learning Center

21st Century Community Learning Centers and the activities they offer may be funded with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using Federal funding, CFDA 84.287, Every Student Succeeds Act, Title IV B – 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

What is the purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant?

This program allows us to establish or expand vibrant community learning centers where students can access enriching activities outside regular school hours—including before and after school and during summer breaks.

By forming strong partnerships between schools and communities, we offer a wide range of academic support, engaging enrichment programs, and opportunities for students to achieve, connect, and thrive beyond the classroom.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant in Rochester

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant has been a feature of Rochester Public Schools and our community for many years, establishing afterschool programming in several schools and at community partners.

Cohort 9 of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant was awarded to the Rochester Public School District in September of 2023 and is an almost direct replacement for Cohort 7 of the grant, which ran from September of 2017 to August 2023.

Brian Faloon

Brian Faloon

21st CCLC Grant Program Coordinator

507.328.4065 | Email

Amy Eich

Amy Eich

Executive Director of Community Education and Community Partnerships

507.328.4003 | Email

The focus of Cohort 9 within the School District is on middle schools, with out-of-school time programming at Dakota, John Adams, Kellogg, and Willow Creek, as well as at Mayo High School. Each school is a 21st Century Community Learning Center with a dedicated Center Director responsible for coordinating on-site programming.

Of course, community is at the heart of the grant's work, and our partners play a crucial role in developing academic and enrichment opportunities.

  • The Boys and Girls Club of Rochester has been a co-applicant on our grant applications and awards for many years now, and is a key provider in the city's youth development landscape. Club runs programming through funding in Cohort 9 of the 21stCCLC grant at Longfellow Elementary school in both the school year and summer.

  • Other land-standing partners in 21stCCLC grant work include Rochester International Youth Organization (RIYO), an organization started by Mustafa Sharif when he was still in high school. RIYO operates programming at its 7th St. NW location and serves Somali youth, focusing on academics, STEM, and art.

  • Also serving East African youth is the Somali American Social Services Association (SASSA), located on Broadway North and led by Omar Nur.

We have two other community partners in Cohort 9 of the grant in Pamoja Women and Sports Mentorship Academy.

  • Pamoja Women, led by Khadija Ali, began serving women and families of East African descent and now, as a grant partner, has developed a relationship with Franklin Elementary to develop and run a range of programs and enrichment for the students and families there.

  • Sports Mentorship Academy is a program run by Pastor Andre Crockett and is located at the Gage East gym and is a focal point for black youth to raise academic standards, develop leadership and workforce skills, and promote service learning through sports mentorship, particularly basketball.

While these are our partners who operate 21st Century Community Learning Centers, we also have many community organizations that support our work in delivering programming for our participating students and families.

Key partners in our 21stCCLC grant work include Rochester Public Library, Mayo Clinic, IBM, Olmsted County Public Health, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, State Parks, and many small businesses that provide access to activities such as fencing, boxing, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, outdoor learning (e.g., gardening, beekeeping, environmental science), and so much more.

With the appointment of a Volunteer Coordinator role in the District, we are also hoping to expand our volunteer base to further enhance our programs and services to students and families.