The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) has been awarded continued funding of $407,680 in grants from the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. This competitive funding will allow CCIU to sustain its comprehensive before- and after-school community learning centers at Avon Grove Middle School, Oxford Middle School, Avon Grove High School, and Oxford Area High School. 

The 21st CCLC program provides federal funding to operate learning centers that deliver academic support, along with artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for students during non-school hours. A key goal is helping students from underserved communities meet state standards in core subjects like reading and math. 

"We are grateful to continue receiving 21st Century grant funding to provide engaging before- and after-school programming in our Avon Grove and Oxford communities," said Dr. George F. Fiore, the executive director of CCIU. "These grants allow us to offer students a rich array of activities such as art, music, STEM clubs, career exploration and more, in addition to tutoring and academic instruction.”

The $203,840 grant for Avon Grove and Oxford Middle Schools will continue funding STEM education, literacy skills, physical fitness, and youth development programs. Offerings include coding clubs, robotics teams, reading/writing workshops, sports clinics, and mentoring. At Avon Grove and Oxford High Schools, the matching $203,840 grant sustains college and career preparatory programs like SAT/ACT prep, college application assistance, career exploration, life skills workshops such as financial literacy, and more. 

"The learning centers provide a safe, supportive environment for students to recharge and continue developing their skills and interests outside of regular school hours," said Fiore. "We're excited to continue these enriching programs." 

The Avon Grove programs operate at The Garage Youth Center in Avondale, while the Oxford programs are held at the district's schools. CCIU will continue working closely with the school districts on logistics for activities during the 2024-25 school year. The grants were awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which administers the 21st CCLC program in the state.