Free after-school program in Albuquerque's South Valley
South Valley Prep students in grades 6–8 can stay after school every weekday for homework help, clubs, sports and a meal. It costs families nothing. A 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the New Mexico Public Education Department pays for all of it.
At a glance
About the program
What is South Valley Prep's after-school program?
It's a free program that picks up where the school day ends. Students get help with homework first, then move into clubs and activities like art, sports, cooking and STEM projects. Everyone eats before going home.
Why it's free
The program is part of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), a federal grant the New Mexico Public Education Department awards to schools. The grant covers staff, supplies and meals, which is why families never get a bill.
Parents are part of it
It's meant for parents as well as students. During the year we hold family nights, cultural events and workshops, and you're welcome at all of them.
Every afternoon
What students do after school?
Homework help
and tutoring
Teachers and tutors work with small groups on reading, math and whatever is due tomorrow. The goal is to have homework done before pickup.
Clubs and
enrichment
Art, sports, cooking and STEM projects, on a rotation so students can try more than one.
A free meal
every day
Every student in the program gets a nutritious meal each afternoon at no cost, so nobody is doing math on an empty stomach.
Family nights
and events
Family nights, cultural events and parent workshops run through the year. Dates go up on the school calendar.
See the school calendarSchedule
Before- and after-school hours
The program runs on school days and follows the SVP calendar. When school is closed, the program is closed too.
After-school program
Monday to FridayEarly-release Fridays
Program starts when classes let outBefore-school program
Monday to Friday, optionalSummer program
Late May through June, Monday to ThursdayNeed care in the morning? The before-school program opens at 7:00 AM. Once classes end for the year, the summer program runs through June.
After-school in pictures
A look inside the program
Homework help and tutoringSmall groups work through the day's assignments with a teacher close by.
Working it out togetherGroup projects give students room to talk, plan and figure things out.
Games and clubsJenga, checkers and club time. A chance to unwind with friends after class.
The school gardenStudents plant, water and look after the raised beds on campus.
Sports and time outsidePick-up games on the blacktop, most afternoons the weather allows.
Field tripsProgram outings take students to museums and parks around Albuquerque.
Why it matters
What a few extra hours a day add up to
240extra hours of structured learning a year. That's about 34 more school days.
For students
More practice in reading, math, science and social studies
Projects that take real problem-solving, with time to finish them
A chance to lead, work on a team and speak up
A safe place to be, with adults who already know them
For families
You know where your child is until 6:00 PM. You know they've eaten, and that homework is under way before you pick them up.
Because the program is free, a longer workday doesn't turn into a childcare bill.
Join the program
How to sign up
Send us the form and the 21st CCLC office will call or email to confirm your child's spot. Spots are first come, first served, so earlier is better.
Thank you!
We received your sign-up request. The 21st CCLC office will call or email to confirm your child's spot.
Need an answer sooner? Call (505) 515-2514.
Not at SVP yet?
The program comes with enrollment
After-school is open to every South Valley Prep student. SVP is a tuition-free public charter middle school for grades 6–8, and we take applications all year.
Talk to the 21st CCLC office
Questions about clubs, pickup or the schedule? Call or email and we'll help.
(505) 515-2514 cclc@svpschool.orgQuestions
What parents ask about the after-school program
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is an after-school program?
It's a supervised program that starts when classes end, usually right on campus. Most combine homework time with activities like sports, art or clubs. Some, like ours, serve a meal too.
Why are after-school programs important?
The hours between the last bell and the time parents get home are when a lot of middle schoolers are on their own. A good program fills that time with homework help, adults who know them, something to eat and activities they wouldn't get to try otherwise.
How much do after-school programs cost?
It depends on who runs the program. Many before- and after-school programs in Albuquerque charge a weekly or monthly fee. Programs paid for by a 21st CCLC grant, like the one at South Valley Prep, are free for families.
What is 21st Century Community Learning Centers?
It's a federal program that pays for learning outside school hours: before school, after school and over the summer. In New Mexico, the Public Education Department awards the grants to schools and community groups. You'll often see it shortened to 21st CCLC.
Is there a free after-school program for middle schoolers in Albuquerque?
Yes. South Valley Prep runs one for its students in grades 6–8 at 2551 Karsten Court SE. It's open Monday to Friday until 6:00 PM, and there's no fee.
What should I look for in an after-school program for a middle schooler?
Ask who staffs it, whether homework actually gets done there, what a normal afternoon looks like, whether students are fed, and what time pickup is. Middle schoolers also want some say in what they do, which is why our clubs rotate.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT SOUTH VALLEY PREP
Is South Valley Prep's after-school program free?
Yes. There's no fee to join and no charge for meals or supplies. A federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, managed by the New Mexico Public Education Department, pays for the program.
What time does the after-school program run?
Monday through Friday from 3:40 to 6:00 PM. On early-release Fridays it runs from 1:10 to 4:00 PM. There's no program on days when school is closed.
Is there a before-school program?
Yes. The morning program is open from 7:00 to 8:00 AM on school days. It's optional, and you can sign up for it on the same form.
Does my child have to be an SVP student?
Yes. The program is open to all South Valley Prep students in grades 6–8. If your child isn't enrolled yet, you can apply to SVP at any point in the year. There's no tuition.
What do students do in the program?
Each afternoon starts with homework help or tutoring. After that students go to an enrichment activity such as art, sports, cooking or a STEM project. A free meal is served every day.
Is there a summer program?
Yes. It runs from late May through June, Monday to Thursday, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Does my child need to come every day?
Students in 21st CCLC are expected to attend regularly. Coming consistently is how they get the most out of tutoring and their clubs, and it's how friendships in the program form.
How are families involved?
We hold family nights, cultural events and workshops during the year. 21st CCLC is set up to serve parents as well as students, so these are part of the program and not an extra.
How do I sign my child up?
Fill out the interest form on this page, or contact the 21st CCLC office at (505) 515-2514 or cclc@svpschool.org. Spots are first come, first served.
How does pickup work at the end of the day?
Pickup is by car, using the same loop through the school lot as regular dismissal. Come by 6:00 PM, or 4:00 PM on early-release Fridays. The afternoon school bus leaves at the regular bell, before the program starts, so students in after-school need a ride home. We only release students to adults listed as authorized on their school record. See the pick-up map.
