Grant Partnerships

The 2024 State and Partnership GEAR UP awards have been announced, and we are proud to recognize Vaughn Next Century Learning Center as the sole recipient of the Next Century GEAR UP State Grant in California. Congratulations to Vaughn and our partner schools on this prestigious achievement.

The GEAR UP program aims to enhance students’ academic performance and readiness for postsecondary education, increase high school graduation rates and college enrollment, and raise educational aspirations by providing students and families with comprehensive knowledge about postsecondary education options, preparation, and financial aid.

Over the next seven years, the GEAR UP program will offer a range of services designed to foster parent and family engagement, support college applications, and provide resources such as college workshops, financial aid guidance, and overnight college tours. Students will have the opportunity to participate in college field trips and access College Corners established at each partner school.

School Climate Transformation Grant

Life of the Grant: October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2024

Funding: $750,000 per grant year (contingent upon appropriations by U.S. Congress)

The Goal: To help Vaughn NCLC schools set processes, systems, and structures to improve positive reinforcement practices and systems of supports to cultivate a positive school climate and achieve academic success.

Federal Expectations: The U.S. Department of Education expects that grantees work towards improving school climate conditions in the specific areas shown below:

• Support school sites to implement a multi-tiered system of support to fidelity by providing technical assistance and learning opportunities to school staff;
• Show improvement in the school climate/culture perception via the administration of the School Climate Survey; 
• Implement Opioid abuse prevention and mitigation strategies;
• Decrease the number of suspensions and expulsions related to the possession or use of alcohol and/or other drugs.

Program Achievements (through June 2021)

• 2,664+ hours of learning opportunities and technical assistance engagement
• 78% overall School Climate satisfaction
• 242 engaged in learning opportunities and technical assistance
• All Vaughn sites have active PBIS Tier 1 teams
• Social Emotional Learning survey conducted at all sites
• Adopted Educators Handbook as student behavior tracking platform
• 84 technical assistance and learning opportunities offered
• 190 staff members participated in at least 5 hours of learning opportunities and/or technical assistance
• 63 staff members participated in at least 10 hours of learning opportunities and/or technical assistance
• 34 staff members participated in at least 20 hours of learning opportunities and/or technical assistance
• 19 staff members participated in at least 30 hours of learning opportunities and/or technical assistance

• After School Site Coordinator @ G3
• kjimenez@myvaughncharter.com