Sequoyah Middle School has been awarded a highly competitive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant to launch its new after-school program, Beyond the Bell with our new Program Director, Dillon Griffin-Woodard. The multi-year grant will provide significant funding to establish a high-quality, no-cost program focused on academic support, personal enrichment, and family engagement for students.
The Beyond the Bell program will extend learning beyond the school day, creating a safe and equitable community where students can thrive. It is designed to provide homework help, targeted tutoring, and a wide range of enrichment activities in areas like STEM, the arts, and leadership. The program will also offer resources and events to engage families as active partners in their children's education.
"We are incredibly honored to receive this grant and bring Beyond the Bell to our students and families," said Jean Brassfield, Executive Director of Assessment & Federal Programs." This funding provides a critical opportunity to close achievement gaps and open doors to new possibilities. Our program is built to be a bridge between school-day learning and future success, and we cannot wait to see our students flourish."
The program is expected to serve 180 students, running from Monday to Friday after school until 5:30 p.m., beginning right after fall break. It aims to cultivate a generation of creative problem-solvers and compassionate leaders prepared for college, career, and life.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is a federal program that supports the creation of community learning centers providing academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. Administered by state education agencies, the program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core subjects while offering a broad array of additional services in areas such as youth development, STEAM, art, music, and technology.
Families interested in enrolling their student in the Beyond the Bell program can find more information and sign-up details at 21st CCLC Beyond The Bell After School Application. Community organizations or individuals interested in partnership or volunteer opportunities are encouraged to contact the program director at Jgriffinwoodard@bascshools.org.
Sequoyah Middle School will also offer a four week summer session in June, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., following the same Beyond the Bell model of academic support, enrichment activities in areas like STEM, the arts, and leadership. Application for summer will be available March 2026.