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District wins renewal of 21st Century grant; expands after‑school and summer programs through 2030
Summary
Rapid City Area Schools announced renewal and expansion of its 21st Century Community Learning Grant at South Middle School, extending after‑school and summer services through 2030 and launching a new fifth‑grade transition program called Club Five.
Rapid City Area Schools announced the renewal and expansion of its 21st Century Community Learning Grant for South Middle School, securing after‑school and summer programming through 2030.
Superintendent Dr. Thompson told the school board the grant supports two connected programs: Club Hub, a free after‑school program run by the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative offering academic enrichment and rotating clubs, and Club Five, a new transition program for fifth graders from Grandview, Robinsdale, South Park and Wilson. Club Five will supervise students at their elementary schools and provide district transportation to South Middle School for supervised transition activities, locker practice and peer connection aimed at reducing transition anxiety.
The superintendent said the renewal enables the district to provide a continuum of services—summer discovery camps, after‑school tutoring and enrichment, and a new transition program—that the district hopes will increase readiness for sixth grade and keep students engaged outside school hours.
Board members asked whether the grant could be expanded districtwide and whether the federal grant’s future funding is secure. Dr. Thompson said the grant funding is always somewhat uncertain because it is federal; renewal through 2030 is a positive sign but future renewals will depend on federal appropriations and future grant competitions. He said expansion to other schools would require a future renewal and program changes.
The superintendent also reviewed summer learning offerings across grade spans: a credit‑recovery program at the Alternative Academy (RCAA) with 302 current enrollments and flexible in‑person/hybrid/remote options; summer discovery programs at elementary and middle levels with field trips and community partnerships; and Extended School Year (ESY) services for 53 special‑education students under IEP determinations. Dr. Thompson said in total the district is serving about 900 students in summer programs, not counting separate enrichment camps.
The board did not take formal action on the grant at the meeting; the announcement functioned as an informational update tied to ongoing program delivery and enrollment planning. The district will notify families of scheduling details by email where appropriate.
