Simplified: When Sioux Falls middle schoolers head back to class this fall, many of them will have new options for free after-school activities. Sioux Falls Simplified checked in on progress with a pilot project launching this fall on new Community Learning Centers geared toward older kids.
Why it matters
- The Sioux Falls School District rolled out its Community Learning Center (CLC) model in all of its elementary schools in 2023 as a way to help support kids after school, create more connections to local resources and improve academic achievement.
- So far, that appears to be working. Elementary kids who attend CLC programs are showing academic improvements and fewer behavior issues.
- Now, the focus is expanding to middle schoolers. This fall, the district will pilot CLCs at Whittier, Ben Reifel and George McGovern Middle Schools. At McGovern, specifically, kids will have an entirely new facility thanks to a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. Construction is well under way, and the building is on track to be open the first day of school, CEO Stacy Jones said.
- Middle school is a particularly important age group to focus on, said Paul Keizer, executive director of the CLC program. While they're largely old enough to go home alone after school, kids can gain a lot from exploring new interests, building relationships and just having a safe, structured environment to hang out after class.
- That work is getting some extra support thanks to a $75,000 grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation that was announced this week.
"We know what (extracurricular activities) can do for kids and how they indirectly benefit them academically," Keizer said.
Tell me more about CLCs for middle schoolers
The middle school CLCs will have several similarities to the elementary school model, but there will be more of a focus on giving kids a chance to explore different interests.
- Middle schoolers will be able to try out things like esports, cooking, music, podcasting and more – or they can just hang out and shoot hoops in the gym.
The main difference between the elementary and middle school programs is that the middle schoolers will be able to attend for free. Right now, elementary parents are paying about $75/week for the CLC program – though many receive scholarships to offset those costs.
Keeping things free – or as close to free as possible – is critical, Jones said, especially because otherwise kids will likely just go home instead.
Tell me more about the new Boys & Girls Club facility
The building is adjacent to McGovern Middle School, and it'll include:
- a gymnasium,
- an innovation lab with space for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math),
- lots of technology,
- a podcasting space,
- and space for tutoring and mentorship.
"To be able to do that and mentor those young pepole, expose them to different workforce opportunities, help them through school, give them a place to be, give them a place to belong – that's core to our mission," Jones said.
Here's a peek inside:
What happens next?
The district will run its middle school CLC pilot project throughout the school year, and if it goes well, the plan is to expand to all middle schools in the fall of 2026.
Long-term, there's a vision to build a facility similar to what Boys & Girls Club is doing adjacent to the new Whittier Middle School, which is set to open in 2030, Keizer said.
