TX ACE 21st CCLC
In Texas, the Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is called the Texas After-School Centers on Education program, or Texas ACE. These grant-funded programs provide high quality supplemental enrichment activities that align with the regular academic schedule; and programs are encouraged to deliver those activities in creative, hands-on, and exploratory ways. The TEA funds local TX ACE programs through a competitive peer-review process.
The YMCA of Greater Houston partners with TX ACE 21st CCLC to provide quality after school programming. This partnership allows us to have access to a wide range of resources that we then pass along to our families. Additionally, our staff is able to receive high quality training and guidance to better serve all TX ACE21st CCLC scholars. In order for us to provide the most enriching program, certain attendance requirements must be met. Scholars need to attend programming 5 days a week until at least 6 pm to ensure they receive the full academic benefit offered. Early pick-up can interrupt the scholar’s enrichment schedule and may cause them to miss out on fun academic opportunities. Parents are encouraged to attend at least one family engagement event per month. A calendar of events will be sent out monthly, along with reminders about scheduled activities.
Based on our most recent needs assessments, our goals for year two of the grant are as follows: improve and sustain growth in academics, attract and engage parents and community partners to enrich our scholars experience, and regularly incorporate college and career readiness in our programs.
For more information please contact Brenda Ware, Youth Development Senior Program Director, TX ACE 21st CCLC After-School Program at Brenda.Ware@ymcahouston.org.
We offer the TX ACE program at the following locations:
- Sheldon ISD – Monahan Elementary
- Fort Bend ISD – EA Jones, Ridgegate, Ridgemont Elementary
- Clear Creek ISD – League City and McWhirter Elementary
- Aldine ISD – Ermel, Harris Academy, and Carmichael Elementary
YMCA of Greater Houston Public Notices for 21st CCLC
Notice of Intent to Apply
The YMCA of Greater Houston (YMCA) would like to notify the Greater Houston community of its intent to apply to Texas Education Agency for funding for the 2021-2022 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Cycle 11 to provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high poverty and low performing schools. The 21st CCLC grant aims to provide participating students with: (1) opportunities for academic enrichment (2) a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, and (3) families of students served opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development
If awarded funding, the YMCA will disseminate information about the YMCA 21st Century CCLC program in a manner that clearly states its goals with information posted on the YMCA website and announced through local news resources.
This announcement serves as public notice of our intent to apply.
Private School Intent to Apply Notification
This notice serves as an opportunity to inform private schools, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations of the YMCA of Greater Houston’s intent to support 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. Private schools and other entities interested in participating in CCLC may contact Avice Chambers at avice.chambers@ymcahouston.org or at 713.758.9141. To learn more about the 21st CCLC program, visit the Texas Education Agency website.
“The one out of many things I could say that help impact my son by being in the summer program was the learning he got from his teachers and camp counselors. The teachers made his learning fun and exciting. The counselors made exciting ways by making the program inviting and made my son want to go each and every day. I appreciate the crafty things they made such as a helicopter. This taught my child about force and motion and how air can affect the movement of things in real situations. I hope this program continues to help better our youth.”