21st Century
Picture of a drawn human in center reaching for a star with soaring beyond expectations on the logo

21st Century locations: Cedar Bluff, Centre Middle School, and Gaylesville

The 21st CCLC after school program is located on the respective school's campus.  The Alabama State Department of Education sponsors the after school and summer program through the 21st Century grant. The 21st Century program has open enrollment and all students in the respective communities are welcome to participate.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To provide students a safe, structured, and enriching environment to learn and play after school and/or during the summer
  • To provide opportunities for students of all ages to develop skills and explore a variety of interests
  • To provide students with homework help/academic assistance before & after school
  • To promote effective communication between families and schools
  • To reinforce parenting skills
  • To maintain and strengthen students’ reading, writing, and math skills
  • To further develop awareness of health and nutrition among parents and students
  • To increase collaboration among various local business, the schools, pertinent agencies, and the community
  • To effectively use facilities to give parents, teachers, students and community members the necessary resources, training, and information to strengthen the total community’s commitment to education and to engage in a partnership of life-long learning.

Admission Requirements

Any student properly enrolled at the site school during the current academic year may enroll in the before school, after school, and/or summer program at their respective school.  Only students enrolled in the program may attend.  Students may attend as many days per week as they choose.  Cherokee County 21stCCLC programs do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), disability, in any of its activities or operations.

All Cherokee County Schools are Title I

Cedar Bluff School Pre-K-12

Centre Elementary Pre-K -4

Centre Middle 5-8

Cherokee County High School 9-12

Gaylesville Pre-K-12

Sand Rock Pre-K-12

Spring Garden Pre-K-12

Cherokee County Schools currently receive the following Federal funding:

TITLE I, Part A is designed to improve the academic achievement of disadvantaged students in low-income schools.

Title II,Part A is designed to increase academic achievement by improving teacher and principal quality and effectiveness.

Title IV, Part A is designed to allow local education agencies to fund activities in three key areas: providing a well-rounded education through programs like STEM and AP courses, promoting safe and healthy students with mental health and anti-bullying initiatives, and improving the use of technology in schools via professional development and digital resources.

Title IV, Part B 21st CCLC grants (21st Century Community Learning Center) is a federally funded after-school program providing academic enrichment and positive youth development to students, particularly those in high-poverty, low-performing schools. Currently Cedar Bluff, Centre Middle, and Gaylesville Schools have received this competitive grant.

Title V, Part B Provides formula grants directly to eligible small and rural school districts to improve student academic achievement.

Title IX, Part A, McKinney Vento Homeless Grant provides a comprehensive framework to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to education.

Federal Programs Staff

Randy Smith, Federal Programs Coordinator Email:rsmith@cherokeek12.org Phone: 256-927-2770

Fernanda Akes, EL Paraprofessional Email: fakes@cherokeek12.org Phone: 256-927-1734

Jennifer Beddingfield, EL Coach Email: jbeddingfield@cherokeek12.org Phone: 256-927-3662 x 138

Amy Justus, McKinney Vento Liaison Email: ajustus@cherokeek12.org Phone: 256-927-5127

Rhonda Smith, Federal Programs Bookkeeping & Pre-K Registrar Email: rnsmith@cherokeek12.org Phone: 256-927-5892

Adrea Tevaga, Social Worker and Parent Engagement Email: atevaga@cherokeek12.org Phone: 256-927-3362 x 136