Small Learning Communities Grants

Seed funding for the design and growth of public Small Learning Communities targeting students not well served by existing schooling systems.

Background: In October 2020, Governor Ducey announced an additional $500,000 investment to the Expansion & Innovation Fund through federal CARES Act GEER funding to design and grow public Small Learning Communities.

Funding: $500,000 from federal CARES Act GEER funding

Geographic Scope: Arizona statewide

Focus Areas:

• Public Small Learning Community models of the future
• Learning pods
• Learning hubs
• Small schools-within-schools
• Micro-schooling models
• Equitable access to public Small Learning Communities
• Support for students whose learning was most significantly disrupted during COVID-19 pandemic
• Low-income students
• Students not well served by existing schooling systems
• Parents relying on Small Learning Community options to return to work

Key Features:

• Community-driven, small scale solutions
• Benefited nearly 1,000 students in spring 2021 semester
• Proven to work well for kids and families
• Addresses high-need student populations

Application Process

• Historical grant cycle - specific application details no longer active

Available Resources:

• MEET THE RECIPIENTS (2020-2021 cohort)
• Case studies and implementation examples available

Note: This was a specific federal funding opportunity. Contact A for Arizona for information on current Small Learning Communities funding opportunities.