At The Carver, some of our favorite news to share is news about what's coming next for Norwalk's kids — and today we have some.
The Carver, in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and Side by Side Charter School, intends to submit an application to the Connecticut State Department of Education for funding under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, Cohort 22 (2026–2027). This post serves as formal public notice of our intent to apply. The submission deadline is July 8, 2026.
The Proposed Program
If awarded, the grant will support an after-school program serving approximately 105 students in grades 5 through 8 at Concord Magnet School and Side by Side Charter School beginning in September 2026. Operating four afternoons per week, Monday through Thursday, throughout the school year, the program will provide homework support and targeted academic assistance led by certified teachers, hands-on STEAM enrichment including robotics, engineering, and coding, arts education, wellness activities, social-emotional learning, leadership development, and family engagement events — the kinds of experiences that help middle-grades students stay connected, confident, and on track. Bus transportation home will be provided at no cost to families.
A Word About Partnership
None of this happens alone. This proposal grows out of The Carver's longstanding partnerships with Norwalk's schools and the more than fifteen years we've spent designing and operating after-school and summer programs alongside Norwalk's educators, families, and community partners. Every friend of Carver — our school principals and teachers, our enrichment partners, our volunteers, and most of all our families — has a hand in shaping this work, and we're grateful for it.
Review the Application and Share Your Input
We welcome your comments, questions, and recommendations regarding this proposed program. In accordance with federal and state requirements, the full application and any waiver requests will be available for public review upon request following submission. To request a copy, share input, or learn more, please contact Jim Schaffer, Grants Manager and Institutional Research, at jim@the-carver.org or 203-912-2802, or visit The Carver at 7 Academy Street, Norwalk, CT 06850, during normal business hours.
Students who attend private school and reside within the attendance areas of the schools named above are eligible to participate. Private school administrators and families who would like more information are encouraged to reach out using the contact information above.
Thank you, Norwalk, for believing — as we do — that every child deserves a great place to learn, grow, and belong after the school bell rings. We'll keep you posted.