The Carver has been awarded four grants totaling $776,376 in first-year funding through the Connecticut State Department of Education's (CSDE) Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. The awards will support free, high-quality after-school learning opportunities for students at six Norwalk schools, building upon Carver's longstanding partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and Side by Side Charter School.
The awards are part of a statewide initiative announced October 7 by CSDE, providing approximately $15 million over three years to expand academic enrichment, student supports, and other learning opportunities beyond the traditional school day.
CSDE selected 25 programs for funding beginning in the 2026–27 school year. CSDE selected all four of Carver's proposals for this first group of awards.
Six Schools, Four Grants, One Commitment to Student Success
Carver's new 21st CCLC funding will support programming at:
Marvin Elementary School and Naramake Elementary School
Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School and Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School:
Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School
Side by Side Charter School:
Together, these awards represent nearly $2.5 million in potential funding over three years, subject to continued federal appropriations and compliance with grant requirements.
All students participating in these 21st CCLC-funded programs attend at no cost. This is an important part of Carver's commitment to ensuring that family income does not prevent children from accessing meaningful educational opportunities beyond the school day.
Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom
Carver's programs combine academic assistance with hands-on enrichment, social-emotional learning, mentoring, wellness, and family engagement.
At Marvin, Naramake, Jefferson, and Silvermine, Carver's Scholars Program emphasizes helping fourth- and fifth-grade students build stronger academic foundations and prepare for the transition to middle school. Students build skills in literacy, mathematics, organization, self-management, leadership, and self-advocacy through STEAM, arts, technology, and other enrichment experiences.
At Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, the grant will strengthen Carver's school-based extended learning opportunities; at Side by Side Charter School, the Future Ready Academy will provide middle-grade students with academic support and enrichment experiences designed to build creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and readiness for future educational opportunities.
Across the programs, Carver will work closely with school administrators, teachers, families, and community partners to connect after-school activities with student needs and school-day learning priorities.
A Statewide Investment in Children and Families
In announcing the awards, Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker emphasized the importance of connecting students, families, schools, and communities through after-school education.
The state's investment recognizes that student success depends on more than classroom instruction alone. Academic support, enriching experiences, positive relationships with caring adults, and opportunities for families to participate in their children's education all contribute to students' growth and well-being.
For Carver, these four grants represent another important investment in a broader educational mission that serves thousands of students annually through school-based and community-based programs in Norwalk and Bridgeport.
They also reinforce the value of partnerships among public schools, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, educators, and families working together to help children succeed.
Carver is grateful to the Connecticut State Department of Education, Norwalk Public Schools, Side by Side Charter School, and the educators and community partners whose collaboration makes these opportunities possible.
As the school year progresses, Carver looks forward to sharing the experiences, accomplishments, and measurable progress of the students participating in these programs.
Read the Connecticut State Department of Education's October 7 announcement.