After School Programs

VUSD Expanded Learning Programs also known as PEAK, ASES, ELOP and after school program, provide a safe, positive, and nurturing after school environment that enhances our students’ educational experiences, and increases their academic success so that they become healthy, confident and responsible members of our Ventura community.

Students are provided many opportunities to experience success, including;

Academic support to be successful during the regular school day
Experiences that advance 21st-century learning skills in a variety of environments
Participation in diverse enrichment including art, music, cooking, technology, and STEM/STEAM
Leadership and social skills
Daily structured physical activity, recreation, and/or sports
Encouragement from caring adult staff
Many opportunities to experience success
Healthy snacks

Ventura Unified School District is applying for the After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) grant for Buena, Pacific, and Ventura High Schools. The ASSETs program has commonalities at all high schools and unique features to meet the needs of the students at each site. ASSETs grants provide students in grades 9-12 with academic enrichment opportunities, activities designed to complement students' regular academic program, college and career readiness, literacy and leadership opportunities, and a safe environment for participating students. If awarded at each campus, the grant funds would be used from August 2024 to June 2029.

School Year 2023-24

Expanded Learning is… well, expanding! In the 2023-24 school year, we will provide programs for all 17 elementary and K-8 schools as well as the four comprehensive middle schools in Ventura Unified School District. We will also continue our ASSETs programs at Ventura and Pacific High Schools. We are building the programs to meet the needs in our community. Each Expanded Learning program will provide academic support, enrichment projects, physical activities, and healthy snacks until 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. every evening, depending on the needs of the participants.

An “Interest Form” will go out to all students in grades TK-6 in VUSD. The form will be available electronically as well as on paper, in English and Spanish. This form will ask families whether they plan to have their child(ren) participate in Expanded Learning in the 23-24 school year. We would like to hear back from every family so we know how many staff members to hire and how many rooms to prepare. According to the State guidelines, priority is given to children who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness, who are low-income, or who are considered English Learners. We also do our best to include students who have been in Expanded Learning in previous years and who filled out the Interest Form. The Interest forms will be due back by May 5 so we can begin the process of hiring and training personnel. There will be subsequent registration forms for students who are accepted into Expanded Learning.

Interest Form 2023-24

Location and Hours

Ventura Unified School District supports FREE after school programs to students and families at the following locations. Space is limited. All Expanded Learning Programs operate every day school is in session. Programs begin immediately after the school day. All programs currently end at 6:00pm except Cabrillo Middle School and the high school ASSETS programs. Please call or email for more information.

Expanded Learning- end of school daily to 6pm

ATLAS Elementary
Elmhurst
E.P. Foster Elementary
Juanamaria
Junipero Serra
Lemon Grove School
Lincoln Elementary
Montalvo Elementary
Mound
Poinsettia
Portola Elementary
Sheridan Way Elementary
Sunset School
Will Rogers Elementary
Anacapa Middle School
Balboa Middle School
Cabrillo Middle School (ends at 5pm)
DATA Middle School

ASSETs hours may vary by site

Pacific High School until 3:00pm Daily
Ventura High School until 5:30pm Daily

Program Elements

The Expanded Learning must be aligned with, and not be a repeat of, the content of regular school day and other extended learning opportunities. A safe physical and emotional environment, as well as opportunities for relationship building, must be provided. Expanded Learning/After School programs must consist of the two elements below. Program leaders work closely with school site principals and staff to align both elements with the school's curriculum, instruction, and learning support activities.

Educational and Literacy opportunities- provide tutoring and/or homework assistance designed to help students meet state standards in one or more of the following core academic subjects: reading/language arts, mathematics, history, and social studies, or science. A broad range of activities may be implemented based on local student needs and interests.

Enrichment opportunities- offer an array of services, programs, and activities that reinforce and complement the school’s academic program. Educational enrichment may include but is not limited to, positive youth development strategies, recreation, and prevention activities. Such activities might involve the visual and performing arts, music, physical activity, health/nutrition promotion, and general recreation; career awareness and work preparation activities; community service-learning; and other youth development activities based on what student needs and interests are.