San José Learns
The San José Learns initiative (“SJ Learns”) aims to bolster academic achievement by funding promising and innovative expanded learning programs for San José students in transitional kindergarten through third grade.
SJ Learns was created in response to low academic performance among students in low-income communities in San José, where approximately half of third-graders are not proficient in English Language Arts (ELA), Reading, and Mathematics, and nearly 5,000 at-risk K-3 students lack access to free, quality, school-based after school programs.
High-quality extended learning programs provide crucial academic support for students who are struggling in the classroom and are especially important for students from families who cannot afford fee-based alternatives.
Grants Program
Since 2015, $6.1 million in grants have been awarded through SJ Learns to Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”) serving San José students. Grants are administered by the Library Foundation, with the San José Public Library’s Education Team providing leadership for the RFP and all related administrative, programmatic, and evaluation activities. The grant period begins in the summer and continues through the academic year.
Historically, SJ Learns has awarded between $33,000 and $700,000 per year to grantees to support summer and academic year expanded learning programs. Beginning in 2019-2020, LEAs were given the option to apply for two-year grants.
SJ Learns Grant Summer 2023 and AY 2023-2024 Grantees
Alum Rock Union School District with Think Together
Campbell Union School District
Franklin McKinley School District with Catholic Charities
Luther Burbank School District
SJ Learns Grant Summer 2022 and AY 2022-2023 Grantees
Alum Rock Union School District with Think Together
Campbell Union School District
Franklin-McKinley School District with Catholic Charities
Luther Burbank School District
Evergreen Elementary School District with YMCA
Rocketship Public School District with YMCA
Santa Clara County Office of Education with Bay Area Tutoring Association
SJ Learns Grant Summer 2021 and AY 2021-2022 Grantees
Alum Rock Union School District
Campbell Union School District
Franklin-McKinley School District
Luther Bank School District
Mount Pleasant School District
Rocketship Public Schools
SJ Learns Special Funding Opportunity for AY 2021-2022
Alum Rock Union School District
Franklin-McKinley School District
Luther Burbank School District
Mount Pleasant School District
Santa Clara County of Education
SJ Learns Grant 2020
Franklin-McKinley School District
Luther Burbank School District
Mount Pleasant School District
Past Grantees 2015-2019
Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
Campbell Union School District
Evergreen Elementary School District
Franklin-McKinley School District
Moreland School District
Mount Pleasant School District
Oak Grove School District
Rocketship Public Schools
San José Unified School District
SJ Learns Committee
The SJ Learns Committee is composed of educational experts and stakeholders from San José’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
- Allison Book-Arango – Director, Grants, Partnerships & Operations, Santa Clara County Office of Education
- Anthony Rodriguez – Corporate Development Manager, City Year San Jose
- Dana Bunnett – Executive Director, Kids In Common
- Dawn Coppin – Executive Director, San José Public Library Foundation
- Hitesh Shah – Sr. Principal Architect, Adobe
- Marco Alvarez – Software Engineer, Intel Corporation
- Orit Keinan-Nahon – Global Head of Investor Relations, HP Inc.
- Rebecca Turner – Nursing Facility Administrator & Lincoln Glen Manor for Senior Citizens
- Vidya Kilambi – Division Manager, Education & Innovation, San José Public Library
Major Funders
