U.S. Department of Education announces 2024 champions of the Engage Every Student Recognition Program.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) released the list of 2024 U.S. Department of Education Engage Every Student Recognition Program Champions.

Thirteen non-profit organizations and city municipalities, in collaboration with local schools, are being recognized nationwide for their efforts to enhance access to top-notch afterschool and summer learning programs for students. For this inaugural recognition program year, the Department received 57 nominations from 29 states. These nominations underwent review by state-level review teams, consisting of the 50 state afterschool networks and state educational agencies. State finalists were then put forth to the Department for final consideration.

Aside from offering high-quality afterschool and/or summer learning programs in one of the 50 states or territories, nominees showcased eligibility and excellence in the following areas for the inaugural year:

• Utilizing evidence-based approaches, such as prioritizing students in need of additional support, employing certified teachers for academic instruction and tutoring, and involving students in experiential learning like project-based learning, enrichment, career pathways, and field trips;
• Increasing K-12 student enrollment in their programs from the school year (SY) 2022-23 to SY 2023-24 by at least 20%;
• Serving students from schools where 40% or more students qualify for the free and reduced lunch program at the beginning of SY 2023-24; and
• Leveraging American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, alongside state and local funds, to expand afterschool and summer learning programs for students.

“This year’s Engage Every Student Champions are spearheading efforts in their local communities and states to ensure that all students nationwide can flourish, learn, and develop through participation in high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs,” stated U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Thanks to President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, awardees encompass a diverse array of organizations from across the country, with nearly half located in underprivileged or rural areas. Every child deserves the enriching opportunities these programs offer outside of school hours.”

The Department is gearing up to host the 2024 Engage Every Student Summit on July 16 in Washington, D.C. Beyond honoring this year’s Champions, the summit will gather youth, state, and local education leaders, elected officials at state and city levels, providers of afterschool and summer learning programs, and advocates. It will showcase successes and their impacts in out-of-school time activities, with attendees having access to various learning, exploration, and networking opportunities.

Below are the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Engage Every Student Recognition Program Champions:

• CT – Litchfield – Ed Advance BASES in partnership with Torrington School District, Category: Non-Profit
• GA – Atlanta – Camp Twin Lakes in partnership with Hall County School System, Category: Non-Profit
• ID – Idaho Falls – Community Youth in Action in partnership with Idaho Falls School District 91 and Booneville School District 93, Category: Non-Profit
• IL – Springfield – Compass For Kids, Inc. in partnership with Springfield Public Schools – District 186, Category: Non-Profit
• MD – Baltimore – Arts For Learning Maryland in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools, Category: Non-Profit
• MS – Ridgeland – Scientific Research, SR1, in partnership with Forest Municipal School District, Category: Non-Profit
• NE – Lincoln – Lincoln Community Learning Centers in partnership with Lincoln Public Schools, Category: City Municipality
• NH – Nashua – YMCA of Greater Nashua in partnership with Nashua School District, Category: Non-Profit
• NJ – Fair Lawn – iLearn Schools in partnership with North Jersey Arts and Science Charter Schools and Linden Public School District, Category: Non-Profit
• OH – Youngstown – Ohio Urban Renaissance in partnership with Youngstown City School District, Category: Non-Profit
• OR – Canby – Todos Juntos in partnership with Canby School District, Estacada School District, and Molalla School District, Category: Non-Profit
• SC – Florence and Lake City – Boys & Girls Club of the Pee Dee Area in partnership with Florence 1 Schools and Florence County School District No. 3, Category: Non-Profit
• SD – Sturgis – Black Hills Special Services Cooperative in partnership with Rapid City Area School District, Category: City Municipality

Engage Every Student, introduced by Secretary Cardona in July 2022, serves as a compelling call-to-action to offer top-notch out-of-school learning opportunities for all children and youths seeking to participate. Increasing access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs stands as a fundamental aspect of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Improving Student Achievement Agenda. Through the American Rescue Plan, schools, communities, and states have gained access to additional funding to further bolster high-quality expanded learning programs, as well as the well-being and academic progress of millions of students. This Initiative stands as a collaboration between the Department, the Afterschool Alliance, the School Superintendents Association (AASA), the National League of Cities, the National Summer Learning Association, and the National Comprehensive Center at Westat.

Explore more about Engage Every Student and access resources for all non-profit organizations and city municipalities to progress towards broadening access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs.