About 21st Century 

The Nita M. Lowey 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, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, 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

• offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

​

Each subrecipient must engage in periodic (formative) evaluations to assess progress toward achieving the proposed objectives and ultimate goal of providing high-quality opportunities for academic enrichment. Additionally, each 21st CCLC program in Florida is required to submit a summative evaluation report at the conclusion of each program year. The summative report is a detailed summary of the program and progress towards meeting stated objectives. Reports can be found on the Narrative page.

​

Under the leadership of Dr. Michael A. Grego, Superintendent, Pinellas County Schools District and the Office of Strategic Partnerships, the 21st Century iClass Learning Center Program will provide students a valuable and reliable resource to assist them with their college aspirations, careers and life. The role of the 21st Century iClass Learning Center, as designated by Pinellas County Schools, is to serve and support the mission of 100% Student Success, while also expanding the impact, reach, and capacity of education via a revolutionary independent community-based learning academy. The 21st Century iClass Learning Center will fulfill its mandate by effectively implementing a clear strategic plan, which addresses the needs of our collaborative partners while also empowering Pinellas County students to reach their full potential.  Free of charge to parents.

 

The 21st Century Learning Center, is a comprehensive program designed to provide activities that support high-quality expanded learning to meet the needs of children and families in the following schools: Campbell Park, Fairmount Park, High Point, Melrose, Midtown, Lakewood, Dunedin, Eisenhower, 74th Street, New Heights, and Ponce De Leon Elementary have been mandated by the district to provide extended learning time to help students meet state and local academic achievement standards. Centers located at each school site will introduce students to teaching and learning strategies using state-of-the-art processes and software that supports core curriculum and social development standards. The project goals focus on improving the academic performance of those students with the greatest need, by addressing the entire child and family dynamic.   The services provided by the Nita M. Lowey21st Century iClass program is of no cost to the parents and families.