Frequently Asked Questions
General Overview:
Our TUSD DevELOPment Academy is a state-required expanded learning opportunity program (ELOP) that provides hands-on engaging learning experiences that focus on developing the positive academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of participating students. "Expanded learning” includes before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning services.
Our schedule and activities meet the ELOP requirements of California Education Code Section 46210 by providing no less than 9 hours of combined instructional time and expanded learning opportunities every school day and 30 non-school days. The program is pupil-centered, results driven, includes community partners, and complements, but does not replicate, learning activities in the regular school day and school year.
- Access to academic support
- Social-emotional experiences
- Engaging enrichment activities
- Healthy snack
- Outdoor play opportunities
- Time to socialize with peers
- Safe learning environment
- Peace of mind for families
To best meet the interest and needs of our students, enrichment areas that are offered are selected in response to student interest surveys. In past school years, these opportunities have included cooking, dance, pickleball, and art.
TK-6th grade students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, are experiencing housing instability or are in foster care. Students who are English Language Learners (ELL) can also participate when space is available. To verify eligibility you will need to fill out the appropriate annual nutrition services form based on the student’s 2024-25 school site.
If your student attends Arlington, Edison, Carr, Fern, Wood, Adams, Arnold, Victor, Yukon, ¶®É«µÛ Elementary, Madrona, Magruder, Hull, Casimir, Jefferson, North, West, ¶®É«µÛ High, or Shery, please complete the .
If your student attends South, Calle Mayor, Bert Lynn, Richardson, Anza, Hickory, Lincoln, Riviera, Seaside, Towers, Walteria, please complete the .
Our TUSD DevELOPment Academy is free for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, are experiencing housing instability or are foster youth. If accepted, students who are English Language Learners but do not qualify as low income are able to attend for a fee.
Curriculum:
The specially tailored curriculum is administered by trained Instructional Aides who support students’ needs.
Our program offers access to academic support. This means that our Instructional Aides assist students with concepts that are being taught in the classroom during Homework/Quiet time. The time provided varies from 20-30 minutes each day depending on the enrichment schedule. Please keep in mind that with so many students within the program, one on one is not always possible, but academic support is provided during the allotted time.
Just like our school sites, our TUSD DevELOPment Academy uses Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) to teach and promote appropriate student behavior. Participating students are recognized for positive behaviors through praise and rewards, and undesirable behaviors are addressed through counseling and restorative practices. Communication with families is key to the success of our students, so parents/guardians will be notified when there are behavior concerns.
Yes, healthy snacks are provided each day which align with TUSD Health and Wellness guidelines.
Yes, the TUSD DevELOPment Academy is available over the summer for qualifying students.
Application:
- Application in PowerSchool Parent Portal.
- Login and click on Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Application.
- Fill out the appropriate annual Nutrition Services form based on the student’s
- 2024-25 school site.
If your student attends Arlington, Edison, Carr, Fern, Wood, Adams, Arnold, Victor, Yukon, ¶®É«µÛ Elementary, Madrona, Magruder, Hull, Casimir, Jefferson, North, West, ¶®É«µÛ High, or Shery, please complete the .
If your student attends South, Calle Mayor, Bert Lynn, Richardson, Anza, Hickory, Lincoln, Riviera, Seaside, Towers, Walteria, please complete the .
Students are not “selected” but will be accepted within the application process. Applications are reviewed and qualifying families will be notified. There is limited space (based on staffing) within the program, so not every student who applies will be enrolled. It is best to apply as soon as possible in order to ensure that staffing can be secured and space is available. Once available classrooms are filled, students will be placed on a waitlist and enrolled as soon as space becomes available.
Yes, if your home school does not host a ¶®É«µÛ DevELOPment Academy, you have the option of transferring your student to the nearest site which does.
Transition & Transportation:
Our goal is to accommodate school changes as requested so that transportation is not necessary.
Yes, this is an optional program and no student is required to participate. For any family that wishes to opt out once enrolled, please notify the school site directly so that your child can be withdrawn, allowing space for other students who are on the waitlist to participate.
Current Students
Attendance and Pick-up:
Attendance is taken daily. There is limited space within our program so we ask that all students enrolled attend the program on a consistent basis. In order to benefit from the enrichment provided, we also ask that students within the program stay until at least 5:00 pm each day. For students that sporadically attend, cease to attend, or consistently leave the program early, families will be contacted by the program to confirm continued enrollment within the program in order to provide opportunities for enrollment for our families on the waiting list.
If your student is enrolled within a seasonal sport which would affect attendance, contact your school site office assistant to let them know of the temporary change in attendance.
You should notify the office assistant at your school site.
To ensure safety for our students, students are released from the classroom and may only be picked up at the office. All students must be signed out by a parent or guardian and the parent or guardian must first stop at the office and provide a signature with our office. This is strictly enforced and no student is allowed to leave on their own accord or have parents/guardians walk straight to the classroom.
Extended child care is NOT available after the end of the program. Unfortunately, we do not have the staffing to stay beyond the hours of the TUSD DevELOPment Academy, so all students must be picked up by parents/guardians by 6:00 pm at the latest.
