The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District utilizes both After School Education and Safety (ASES) and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funding to provide high-quality before and after-school care. These grants allow us to offer academic support and enrichment at no cost to qualifying families.
Program Operations
- Grant-Funded Full Service Sites: All families enrolled in the ESS program at the following schools will receive grant-funded services: Avondale, Bancroft, Casa de Oro, Highlands, Kempton, La Mesa Dale, La Presa Elementary, Loma, Northmont, Rolando, Rancho, Sweetwater Springs, LMAAC, Parkway Academy, Spring Valley Academy, and STEAM Academy.
- Grant Capacity-Capped Service Sites: Lemon Avenue (LEA), Murray Manor (MUM), and Maryland Avenue (MAA) have a grant capacity of 100 students. At these sites, spots will be offered to students strictly in order of the state’s priority guidelines. Any additional spots will be offered to families based on submission time and date of their ESS enrollment.
- Mandatory AM & PM Enrollment: Based on specific state grant awards, families at Bancroft, Kempton, La Presa, Highlands, and STEAM Academy must enroll in and attend both morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) services.
- 19 ASES Sites: Operate as comprehensive programs blending ASES and ELO-P grant funding (State requires additional enrollment paperwork; see your ESS program’s Site Lead for more information).
- 2 Non-ASES Sites: Supported through ELO-P grant funding and parent fees.
- Program Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Parkway Academy and Spring Valley Academy operate until 6:15 PM).
Enrollment Priority Guidelines
Students shall be selected for enrollment based upon the following priority tiers:
- First Priority: Students identified as Homeless Youth (as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) or students in Foster Care.
- Second Priority: Students eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (FRPM) based on USDA and CDE Income Eligibility Guidelines, and English Language Learners (ELL).
- Third Priority: Students who attend the program daily for the full range of program hours.
Any remaining capacity shall be filled by active duty military families, then based on submission time and date of their ESS enrollment.
Attendance & Grant Requirements
Grant funding intends to provide a full-day alternative for students. Because these spots are limited and state-funded, the following attendance policies apply to all participants:
- The “Full Range” Requirement: Students should participate in the program for the full range of hours offered each day. Those who utilize the program for the entire duration are given greater priority over those with partial attendance.
- Active Monitoring: Attendance is monitored year-round. If a site reaches capacity and has a waiting list, students who do not meet the full-time attendance requirement may be dropped to make room for students who can.
For families who receive the tuition-free grant space, please note that the funding is strictly provided by the California Department of Education and is tied directly to daily attendance. To maintain this grant, participating families must adhere to the following state guidelines:
- 5-Day Attendance Requirement: Students are expected to attend the program 5 days a week.
- Early Release Forms: An Early Release form indicating your daily pick-up time must be kept on file. You must pick up at or after the indicated pick-up time.
- Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Account holders will be required to sign an MOU agreeing to these state guidelines before the start of the year.
- Dual Sign-Out Process: To meet strict state reporting requirements, families will have to sign out on both the ESS iPad and a paper sign-out sheet, as well as scan their student out daily.
- Absence & Vacation Flexibility: We know life happens! Grant-funded families are allowed 4 vacation weeks per school year without losing their spot (please note: vacation weeks must be taken as a full week, Monday through Friday). Regular school-day absences and absences due to medical appointments can be fully excused with a doctor’s note.
Program Elements & Intent
Both grants intend to provide a “pupil-centered, results-driven” experience that complements the regular school day.
Educational & Literacy Support
We provide a focused, quiet environment where students receive homework assistance and academic support. Our goal is to help every child succeed in core subjects like Math, Science, and Language Arts. Beyond academics, we offer a wide variety of engaging activities shaped by the students’ own interests.
Educational Enrichment
We offer activities designed to develop the “whole child,” including:
- Physical Health: Recreation, physical activity, and nutritional promotion.
- Creativity: Visual and performing arts.
- Future Readiness: Career awareness, work preparation, and community service-learning.
- Social-Emotional Learning: Relationship-building in a safe physical and emotional environment.
Linked Here: ESS Contact Information by Site
| ASES Grant & ELO-P Sites (Both AM & PM Required) | ASES Grant & ELO-P Sites | ELO-P/Fee-based Sites | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Bancroft Elementary | 619-668-5839 | • Avondale Elementary | 619-668-5838 | • Fletcher Hills Elementary | 619-668-5841 |
| • Highlands Elementary | 619-668-5842 | • Casa de Oro Elementary | 619-668-5840 | • Murdock Elementary | 619-668-5849 |
| • Kempton Literacy Academy | 619-668-5843 | • La Mesa Arts Academy | 619-668-8371 | ||
| • La Presa Elementary | 619-668-8355 | • La Mesa Dale Elementary | 619-668-5844 | ||
| • STEAM Academy | 619-668-8360 | • Lemon Ave Elementary | 619-668-5846 | ||
| • Loma Elementary | 619-668-5847 | ||||
| • Maryland Ave Elementary | 619-668-5848 | ||||
| • Murray Manor Elementary | 619-668-5850 | ||||
| • Northmont Elementary | 619-668-5851 | ||||
| • Rancho Elementary | 619-668-5852 | ||||
| • Rolando Elementary | 619-668-5853 | ||||
| • Sweetwater Springs Elem | 619-668-5736 | ||||
| • Parkway Academy | 619-668-8372 | ||||
| • Spring Valley Academy | 619-668-8374 |
