The Pillars of Community Schools: Expanded and Enriched Learning Time

When you hear of expanded and enriched learning time, this references enrichment beyond the school day and year, including tutoring, experiential learning (science and computer coding camps, for example), sports, music, and art. However, not all students have access to the same resources and funding that give the opportunity to a more constant learning environment. To combat the opportunity gap that happens within the pillar of Expanded and Enriched Learning Time there can be policies and grants that are put into place that support bringing in community partners and/or pay teachers and school staff to support afterschool programs. 

And if you look at any of the community schools you will see this strategy being used in a wide variety of ways and a variety of ways that UWABC shows up to support the work. We have the amazing opportunity to have community schools in both Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. Within ACS you will see programs like IRL (in Real Life). In Real Life After-school provides youth-informed programs that have hands-on, equitable, and accessible after-school experiences for all Asheville City Schools middle school students. Another partner in this work, which is funded separately through a federal 21st Century grant, is Delta House. Delta House provides a wide range of services to students in grades 6-12 and their families on-site at Asheville Middle as well as in the community. Their LEAAP (Learning through Expanded Academics and the Arts Program) for Success after-school program offers academic tutoring, homework, a web-based curriculum for building skills, and STEAM programs.