Twenty First Century Community Learning Center grants, funded by the US Department of Education provide funding for before school and after school initiatives designed to advance student achievement, especially for students who attend high poverty or low performing schools. This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.