NEWBURGH – Programs during the school year will continue to grow as the result of a New York State Department of Education 21st Century Learning Centers grant awarding the City of Newburgh in annual amounts of $899,927 over the next five years.

A key component of No Child Left Behind Act, the grants are federally funded but administered at the state level. Newburgh is among 107 recipients in New York State. This was the fourth round of funding.  Newburgh is currently in its last year of the third round.  Next school year there will be eight after-school programs, five school-based and three community-based.  Approximately 1,000 City of Newburgh children, teens, and their families will be served. 

The new funding will provide four school-based after school sites and a more comprehensive partnership with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.  Several new jobs will be created as each school will need a site coordinator and several group leaders as well as dozens of skilled artist/practitioners and academic instructors.

Programs are targeted to primarily middle and high school students, and substantial programming will address the educational and cultural needs of families.  Activities will be geared towards improving social and emotional competencies, encouraging healthy lifestyles, reducing negative youth behaviors, and providing recreational activities and exposure to the arts. Academic instruction will be based on a science and technology project-based learning model.  Career exploration is an integral part of the program.