The 21st Century Community Learning Center Program

The mission of the LEAP/ 21st Century Community Learning Center Extended Learning Program is to enrich the lives of LEAP students and their families with opportunities for academic achievement; physical, performing and visual arts activity; positive youth development; and family involvement with community-and partnership- driven after school program services.

LEAP Academy is the lead organization, primary partner and sponsor of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)  Program, which is under the Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The 21st CCLC are defined as centers that offer academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment opportunities to students (in grades 4-12) and their families when school is not in session. The purpose of the program is to increase students’ academic achievement, increase positive student behavior, engage adult family members, and establish and maintain partnerships and collaborative relationships. The program is aligned with the New Jersey State Core Curriculum Content Standards and funded by the State of New Jersey Department of Education.

The primary goal of the program is to allow students an opportunity to attain the skills necessary to meet state core curriculum content standards. The program offers tutorial services and academic enrichment activities that are designed to help students meet local and state standards in subjects such as Language Arts and Mathematics. In addition, 21st CCLC provides youth development activities, art, music and recreation programs, technology education, drug and violence prevention programs, counseling, and character education to enhance the academic component of the program.

Contact Information
Lavonne Nichols, Program Site Coordinator
LEAP/ 21st Century Community Learning Center Extended Learning Program
| lavonich@camden.rutgers.edu | 856.614.5600 Extension 2092