BOULDER — There’s a hum of voices and commotion as students pour in the door of Mary Ellen Earnhardt’s classroom at Boulder Elementary School at 3:15 three afternoons per week.

When they step inside, they enter a world of ideas and fun activities offered by Earnhardt and her staff at the 21st Century Community Learning Center.

Program offerings

Here students, first of all, get help with homework, both before and after school.

But they also get classes in such things as art, piano, guitar, ballet, gardening, cooking, geology, quilting, bungie jumping, rock climbing, sailing, scuba diving, bowling, horse back riding and photography.

And there are adventures — such as camping, ski trips, and visits to hot springs and ghost towns.

To the casual observer, it may look like organized chaos.

But each activity that’s offered has been planned — with measurable educational outcomes and impacts in mind, Earnhardt said.

In Boulder, where the average household income is $29,000 and 70 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced lunch, these classes may be the only opportunity these students get to try such activities.

An added benefit is community members have been sharing their skills and hobbies with local children — from quilting to rock collecting and cooking.

Program future

Now in its third year of operation, the Boulder 21st Century program’s funding is assured through June 2008.

The U.S. Department of Education provides $105,000 annually.

The Boulder program can re-apply for 60 percent funding, but Earnhardt is already searching for ways to make the program sustainable.

She visited the county commission in February, seeking a metal mines trust fund contribution.

She’s also lobbied the Legislature to pass HB 566, which would have provided over $1 million for such after-school programs.

However, “the prognosis is not good,” said Joe Lamson, communications director for the Office of Public Instruction. “It died several days ago.”

“For that bill to survive, it would have to be put in another bill,” he said.

Earnhardt’s also exploring whether the program could start its own business to generate funds.

Successes

One measure of its success is its beloved reputation.

“It’s just opened kids’ eyes to the world around them,” said School Board Chairman Mike Molitor.

The universal message that he receives from parents is, “You have to figure out how to keep it.”

Children tend to vote with their enthusiasm.

And this year 97 percent of them participated in some form of 21st Century program offerings, said Earnhardt.

This is up 10 percent from the previous year, she said.

Of the 177 students enrolled in the program, 90 percent attended more than 30 days, said Sandi Smith, education program representative at OPI for 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

“This is a startling statistic,” she said. “It’s one of my high performing programs.”

“In order for any after-school program to effect change in a student’s life, they have to attend 30 days or more.”

“The Boulder 21st CCLC program is one of our exemplary programs,” she said. There are 38 programs in Montana.

Parent Charisma Anderson can’t say enough good things about the Boulder program.

Her seven-year-old daughter Samantha Gill and 10-year old son James Gregg love to attend and even want to go to school during summer and when they’re sick, she said.

“My kids have learned how to cook, sew, knit and ski,” she said. “They’ve also learned how to do odd-ball math problems.”

Anderson, who is diabetic, said she has health problems.

She appreciates that Earnhardt checks in with her and asks, “What’s going on with the family?

“Mary Ellen has just the warmest heart. She is just so very caring, not just for my kids, for all the kids. Her staff is great too. They just really care about those kids.”

“All in all, it’s a good program. It helps them with their self-esteem, and it helps them with their lack of judgment,” she said.

What Anderson’s daughter enjoys most of all is the special tutoring time working with Earnhardt. “She can’t wait to be down there.”

“I hope the program never ends. Even after my kids are out of it, I’ll do whatever I can to support it,” she said.

Academic improvements

Another measure of success is academics.

Attendees in Montana’s 21st CCLCs show a 53 percent improvement in reading scores and a 52 percent improvement in math scores, according to OPI data.

And a national study by Harvard Family Research Project 2003 supports the benefits of this type of afterschool program.

It found children attending similar programs show better school attendance, better grades and lower drop out rates.

Safety

But perhaps one of the program’s most important features is taken for granted.

It helps to keep kids safe after school.

As a result, the students are less likely to be victims of crime or take part in high risk behaviors.

Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are when children and youth are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, engage in sexual activity or be involved in a crime, according to information by the National Center for Juvenile Justice.

Boulder families garner additional benefits, as well.

It will offer babysitting classes for latchkey children and has provided parenting classes for parents.

And this April there are adult technology skills classes (see sidebar).

“I was really surprised how much adults want to learn,” said Earnhardt. Someday she’d like to offer a variety of such career training classes.

Out of poverty

She’s also looking out for the children’s future beyond the program.

“It not only helps students with academics, but it’s a stepping stone to help them out of poverty,” Earnhardt said.

She wants the activities to expose students to new possibilities for finding successful careers.

This summer they’ll visit the Helena College of Technology campus so they can learn about career options.

They’ll learn about apprenticeship programs and how to start putting together portfolios, planning for their future education and jobs.

21st CCLC offers adult education

Mondays, April 16 to May 7, 7 p.m., Boulder Elementary School, iLife, Technology Class. Learn how to work with digital cameras, make movies and much more. Cost $25. Instructor: Mary Ellen Earnhardt

Thursdays, April 19 to May 14, 7 p.m., Boulder Elementary School, Resume Writing and Researching Apprenticeship Careers. The class includes a presentation on apprenticeship careers by Jim “Curly” Burns from the Montana Labor Alliance program. There will also be classes in using Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Cost $25. Instructor: Aimee Lagerquist.