About Us
The School Health Programs Department operates three programs funded through various grants and community partners. All three programs provide academic and literacy support and safe, constructive
alternatives for students in kindergarten through twelfth grades. For more information, please download the ExCEL After School Programs Brochure (pdf).
School Sites
SHPD ExCEL After School Programs are currently in 46 elementary, 4
kindergarten through 8th grade, 16 middle, and 5 high schools. Learn
more.
Community Based Organizations
SHPD ExCEL demonstrates commitment to sustainability through partnerships
with city and community agencies. Beyond SHPD ExCEL’s continual
search for sustainable funds and partners, each after school sites’
participating agency contributes resources, both in-kind and in-cash,
in order to fulfill their 50% match requirement. In addition, SHPD
ExCEL partners with San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth
and their Families to ensure that the funds from local children’s
tax initiative supports the sustainability of SHPD ExCEL programs
and partners.
Statistics
San Francisco Unified School District's goal is to create and sustain "safe
havens" at public schools where students and community members can
access significant expanded learning opportunities. Read
statistical data to support the District's goals. (pdf)
State & City Initiatives
The
SHPD After School Programs track various State and City initiatives
currently being considered, which directly affect after school
programs. Read up on current initiatives
we are tracking.”
Background
21st Century Community Learning Centers
In 1997, School Health Programs Department received its first funding
for After School Programs through the Federal 21st Century Community
Learning Centers Grant.
After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Program
The After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Program (ASESP) was
initiated by the Legislature in 1998 (SB 1756), which provides funds
to establish local after school education and enrichment programs.
The program was then modified in 2002 and changed its name to After
School Education and Safety Program (ASESP).
ASSETS – 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC)
In 2004, SHPD received funding for high school after school programming
through 21st CCLC Teen ASSETS.
The Programs
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers, ASESP, and ASSETS programs
provide a safe place for students to go after school, as well as
opportunities for education and enrichment. The three components
of the programs include:
- Academic Tutorial Program: Students study subjects
such as Reading, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies, and Computers.
In addition, high school ASSETS Programs focus on college preparation
and job readiness.
- Recreational Program: Students participate in
physical activities including Intramural Sports, Structured Physical
Activity, Dance, and Aerobics.
- Enrichment Program: Students participate in classes
such as Life Skills, Art, Cooking, and Music.
Increased Academic Achievement
SHPD ExCEL Programs are making a difference!
- After School Program results in improved scores on the CST and
CAT-6 for middle school students in mathematics. On the California
Standards Test in Math, there is an eight percent increase in the
number of students meeting state standards. On the California Achievement
Test in Math, there is statistically significant growth for middle
school students as compared to non-significant growth for Non-ASE
students.
- Also for middle school students in terms of grade point average,
while overall middle school GPAs declined by .04 points, students
who attend the after
school program for 90 days or more show an increase
in their GPA at statistically significant levels.
- At the elementary level, on the California Standards Test, for
those elementary students that attend after school program, there
is a nine percent increase in the number of students meeting
state standards in English Language Arts and a seven percent
increase in Mathematics.*
*Excerpted from the 2004-2005 SFUSD Program Evaluation
and Research Department Final Evaluation Report of the After School
Education and Safety Program, Ingrid Roberson, Evaluator.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE AFTER SCHOOL MAKES!
There’s no question that today’s youth need safe, stimulating places to go after school.
- More than 28 million school-age children have parents who work outside of the home during after school hours (US Department of Labor, 2003).
- Of the 28 million school-age children, 14.3 million are left to look after themselves when the school day ends. (America After 3 PM, May 2004) That’s more than the populations of Switzerland, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico combined! Imagine 3 nations worth of children left to their own devices for 3 hours or more everyday during the school week.
- Child care averages between $4,000-$6,000 dollars per year. For a low-income family this expense may consume 35% or more of their annual income. (National Catholic Reporter, 2003)
- Research shows that the peak hours for juvenile crime, sexual activity, experimentation with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes peak between the hours of 3p.m. to 6p.m. (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002)
After school programs make a difference!
- Teens who participate in after school programs are three times LESS likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times LESS likely to use drugs, consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity. (YMCA of the USA, March 2001)
- Parents reported that their child’s after school program helped them balance work and family life (Policy Studies Associates, Inc. February 2001):
- 60% said they missed less work than before because of the program.
- 59% said that it supported them in keeping their jobs.
- Students in a statewide program in California improved their standardized test scores (SAT 9) in reading and math by percentages almost twice that of other students and also had better attendance. (University of California, Irvine, May 2001)
Did you know that in San Francisco:
- Over 8,000 students attend SHPD ExCEL after school programs?
- SHPD ExCEL after school programs are in 91 schools?
- Community Based Organizations partnering with SHPD ExCEL after school programs contribute $3,134,805 worth of in-kind services and $1,783,026 in funding?
- 81% of elementary students and 80% of middle school students attending SFUSD ExCEL after school programs felt that adults, including after school staff and teachers cared about them?
- 67% of after school elementary students and 75% of middle school students reported being better students as a result of their participation in after school programs (2004-2005 SFUSD Program Evaluation and Research Department Final Evaluation Report of the After School Education and Safety Program, Ingrid Roberson, Evaluator)?
In a nutshell, that’s why we love after school!
To learn more about SHPD, please visit the following sections on our
site:
School Sites
Community Partners
Statistics
State & City Initiatives
