Gettysburg, PA — Vida Charter School (Vida) is once again collaborating with Gettysburg College’s Center for Public Service (El Centro) to provide a bilingual learning center to underserved students in Adams County. Funding from Gettysburg College’s renewed 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant will support the program’s second year, serving students from Vida, James Gettys Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary. The 21st CCLC academic support reinforces concepts in reading, math, and other core subjects in both Spanish and English. Additionally, the program offers enrichment opportunities, physical activity, and snacks. Changes in the federal funding landscape in early 2025 nearly halted the grant program in its second year, but the funding was renewed just in time to continue operations for 2025–2026.
Neither Gettysburg College nor Vida could have absorbed the program’s costs without the continuation of the federal grant. “The program absolutely depends on this grant,” says Dr. Christine Miller, Vida’s executive director. “Without it, our students would lose ten hours of supplemental weekly academic support and the caring relationships with the afterschool program staff.”
As leaders of the 21st CCLC, Ricardo Hernandez, program director at El Centro, and Maria Perez, a Gettysburg College lecturer in Spanish, concur. “Without this funding, we wouldn’t be able to provide transportation, and we wouldn’t be able to reach as many students as we can now,” they say. Previously, the college was only able to offer the program to students within Gettysburg Borough. This year, they will extend their reach to Hanover, PA.
The bilingual 21st CCLC afterschool and summer programs include bus transportation and are provided at no cost to students or their families. Gettysburg College students provide one-on-one tutoring for program attendees. The learning center meets after school each day at two locations: Vida’s campus and El Centro. Vida also serves as the program’s summer location. A public, tuition-free school, Vida teaches all students in Spanish and English with a dual language model, bridging learning across all subjects to both languages.
This program helps address an opportunity gap for traditionally underserved students, including English Learners. At GASD, approximately 4% of GASD students identify as English learners, and at Vida, about 22% of students are identified. Dr. Miller shares, “Students learning English as a new language may be challenged to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in English, even when they have a deep understanding and ability of academic concepts in their native language. There is also a documented opportunity gap for many of these students; some differences in students’ environment, economic status, race, and other factors influence how they achieve academically compared to their peers. This leads to performance gaps that the 21st CCLC program helps to close.”
“The program allows us to focus on the areas where students most need support,” say Hernandez and Perez. “We concentrate on helping these students improve academically and build their confidence both inside and outside the classroom.”
Hernandez and Perez are intentional about expanding access to all who may benefit from the bilingual learning center. “Providing transportation is important because some families may not feel safe or be able to pick up their child due to work schedules,” they say. “We strive to accommodate as many students as possible and ensure they benefit from the academic support and caring relationships the 21st CCLC program provides.”
Hernandez and Perez anticipate serving 44 students from Vida and 44 GASD students this year. As part of their grantee responsibilities, Gettysburg College ensures that the 21st CCLC meets all state-required goals, provides materials, and handles the administration of the program. Vida refers students to the program and works with the college to implement best-practice strategies for supporting bilingual learning and student safety.
Hernandez credits Dr. Miller and Vida as key to securing grant funding and continuing the program. “Vida’s ability to identify and refer students is vital for our success,” says Hernandez. “I’m extremely grateful to the main office and administrative team for their work in improving the program and supporting their students. Vida continues to be a great partner and is the perfect place to host one of our program sites.”
To enroll in the after-school program, contact Ricardo Hernandez at rhernand@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6491.
About Vida Charter School
Located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Vida Charter School has served students in kindergarten through sixth grade in a dual-language immersion model for the last 15 years. With a commitment to bilingualism, diversity, and holistic child development, Vida provides a nurturing environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and culturally as global citizens.