Applications are now open for the 2027-28 academic year.
The SJ Learns program aims to bolster academic achievement by funding promising and innovative expanded learning programs that serve San José public school students in Kindergarten (K) through 3rd grade.
We invite Local Education Agencies (LEAs) such as public-school districts, charter schools, and charter networks/management organizations to submit proposals for funds available for the 2027-2028 academic year (AY). Successful past grantees partnered closely with community-based organizations from application through final reporting to strengthen student outcomes.
Approximately $850,000 in funds are available for this opportunity. Individual awards may be up to $200,000.
SJ Learns Strategies
SJ Learns strives to equip LEAs with resources that maximize their expanded learning program budgets, along with those of selected providers, to bolster participation among at-risk students in high-quality expanded learning programs.
Furthermore, SJ Learns fosters dialogue among participating LEAs, school sites, program providers, and the broader learning community to enhance understanding of best practices and influence policy. This involves aligning program curriculum with LEA-led initiatives and Expanded Learning Quality Standards.
Additionally, SJ Learns devises strategies to expand successful programs and establish sustainable funding avenues. These strategies are outlined in the SJ Learns Theory of Change and the SJ Learns Logic Model.
SJ Learns priorities include:
Whole Child Learning:
Grantees take a whole child approach to education, ensuring San Jose students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
Whole Child ApproachCollaboration:
Grantees partner with city agencies, community-based organizations, businesses, and other entities to improve student outcomes.
Family Engagement:
Grantees encourage trusting relationships between staff and parents, create a sense of community within programs, build parents’ capacity to help improve student outcomes, and empower parents to be active decision makers and lifelong advocates on behalf of their children.
Continuous Quality Improvement:
Grantees are committed to program improvement and ensure programs are aligned to the Expanded Learning Quality Standards adopted and implemented by the City of San José.
Quality standardsIn support of grantees’ commitment to Continuous Quality Improvement, the San José Public Library Foundation has gathered social-emotional learning (SEL) resources to support the internal assessment of programs and the identification of adaptation where needed.
Who is Eligible:
Public school districts, charter schools, and charter networks/management organizations (referred to here as LEAs) within San José serving students in K-3rd grade.
As the applicant, LEAs may include CBOs in their proposal as sub-grantees. Collaboration with CBOs is strongly encouraged throughout the application process to enhance the program’s effectiveness. Each LEA is limited to one application.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Include an English Language Arts or Mathematics component.
- Be administered at (or by) a school site(s) with a minimum of 40% of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Districts do not have to meet this requirement; but all participating schools do.
- Serve K- 3rd grade students in public schools with a minimum of 90% of them residing in the city of San José.
- Demonstrate a clear strategy for recruitment or referral that utilizes available data, including valid and reliable assessments, to ensure the program enrolls students who are both low-income and performing below (or at-risk of performing below) grade-level standards in Mathematics and English Language Arts.
- Demonstrate alignment with the LEA’s in-person or distance learning programs, as well as the Expanded Learning Quality Standards.
- Demonstrate alignment with SJ Learns strategies and priorities.
- Ensure that students who are served by SJ Learns funds are not charged program fees.
- Collect and share student assessment and program data to support program evaluation and measure student outcomes. Additional guidance regarding the collection and reporting process will be provided to awarded grantees.
Previously awarded applicants must be in good standing, having complied with all reporting deadlines and expectations, and met previous grant goals (or made significant progress towards those goals).
- Serve a higher percentage of students from low-income households.
- Serve a higher percentage of students who do not meet (or are at risk of not meeting) grade-level standards.
- Demonstrate an enhanced commitment/innovative approach to implementing SJ Learns strategies and priorities.
- Focus on student achievement in both Mathematics and English Language Arts.
- Include a clear financial narrative or strategy that shows diversified funding sources other than ASES, 21st Century, or ELOP funds.
AY 2027-2028 Grant Opportunity Timeline
- Application Window: November 9 – December 13, 2026
- Follow-Up and Evaluation Process: November 2026 – February 2027
- Awards Announced: February–March 2027
- Initial Disbursement (50% of Award): After a fully signed grant agreement and confirmation of payment details.
- Grant Period: August 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028
- Check-ins: Mid-fall semester 2027
- Site Visits: Mid-spring semester 2028
- Interim Report and Assessment and Program Data: Due January 31, 2028
- Final Disbursement (50% of Award): After successful completion and review of the Interim Report and reconfirmation of payment details
- Final Report and Assessment and Program Data: Due July 31, 2028
Application Support:
- Grant Information Sessions (Virtual)
- Friday, November 13, 2026, 10:00-11:00am
- Thursday, November 19, 2026, 1:00-2:00pm
- Register for a session.
- Application Office Hours (Virtual)
- Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 1:30-2:30pm
- Thursday, December 3, 2026, 10:00-11:00am
- Drop in the Zoom meeting at anytime during the hour.
Questions?
Contact: grants@sjplf.org