CITY OF
Item No. 8
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: March 24, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Megan Wolfe, Director of Community Services
Sarah Martinez, Community Services Recreation Superintendent Vanessa Ermilio, Community Services Supervisor
SUBJECT: S.T.A.R.S. After School Program Impact Report
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file the STARS After School Program Impact Report.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The mission of the S.T.A.R.S. After School Program is: "To build strong relationships with families, schools, and communities; it is our goal to provide an affordable, quality, educational, recreational, and cultural program. We aim to promote the social, physical, intellectual, and emotional development of the youth that we serve."
The S.T.A.R.S. After School Program began in August 2014 and continues to provide expanded learning opportunities for students by focusing on their academic, social, emotional, and physical needs through hands-on, engaging experiences. The program serves both elementary students, transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade, and middle school students, 6th grade through 8th grade.
The program offers a variety of activities, including:
• Physical Activity
• Health & Wellness
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) • English Language Arts (ELA)
• Arts & Cultural Enrichment
• Social and Educational Enrichment
The S.T.A.R.S. After School Program is a fee -based program with scholarship opportunities to support families in need. Registration is conducted on a first -come, first -served basis, and families must pre- pay online or at a designated community center.
For the 2024/2025 academic year, the program is available at the following seven school sites:
• Calimesa Elementary School
• Chapman Heights Elementary School
• Ridgeview Elementary School
• Valley Elementary School
• Wildwood Elementary School
• Mesa View Middle School
• Park View Middle School
Staff -to -Student Ratios:
Through successful recruitment and onboarding of S.T.A.R.S. After School Program employees, the staff -to -student ratio includes:
• 1:5 for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten • 1:10 for 1st through 5th grades
• 1:20 for 6th through 8th grades
Enrollment Growth:
Following the COVID distance learning and return to school sites for the 2021/2022 academic year, the S.T.A.R.S. After School Program has experienced consistent and substantial growth in student enrollment, reflecting the increasing demand for quality afterschool programming:
• 2021/2022: 357 students per week
• 2022/2023: 510 students per week
• 2023/2024: 634 students per week
• 2024/2025 (current): 690 students per week
This growth represents a 93.28% increase in enrollment over the past four academic years (comparison data: 2021/2022 to 2024/2025).
Year -to -Year Increase:
• 2021/2022 to 2022/2023: 42.86% increase
• 2022/2023 to 2023/2024: 24.31% increase
• 2023/2024 to 2024/2025 (current): 8.83% increase
Strengthening the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District (YCJUSD) Partnership:
The success and expansion of the S.T.A.R.S. After School Program are directly linked to the strong partnership with YCJUSD. This collaboration has enhanced program quality and broadened access to vital student resources. Over the past two years, close coordination with school administrators, teachers, and district personnel has facilitated a coherent transition for students from the school day to the after school program.
Key aspects of this partnership include:
• Increased access to school facilities for program activities • Joint staff training initiatives to align educational and behavioral support strategies • Shared efforts in student support services and academic reinforcement • Funding support for YCJUSD families through the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P)
These collaborative efforts have played a significant role in expanding program capacity and improving overall student experiences. The continued commitment of both the City and YCJUSD
ensures that the S.T.A.R.S. After School Program remains a pillar of youth development in the community, providing students with an enriching environment that fosters academic success and personal growth.
S.T.A.R.S. Administration:
To administer the S.T.A.R.S. After School Program, the City utilizes 4.5 FTE and employs 87 part- time staff. Direct costs are captured in the S.T.A.R.S. Division of the Community Services Department and indirect costs are estimated through the cost allocation plan. Budgeted expenditures in the adopted FY25 Budget are approximately $2.4 million.
The S.T.A.R.S. program is a fee -based program. In partnership with YCJUSD, students who qualify have program registration fees paid for them through ELO-P. Students who do not qualify for ELO- P funding are still eligible to participate in the program by paying out of pocket. Budgeted revenues in the adopted FY25 Budget are approximately $2.5 million.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommendation does not result in a fiscal impact.
Approved by: