What are Expanded Learning Opportunities?

Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) offer students access to academic enrichment through hands-on, experiential learning programs outside of traditional school hours. These activities and approaches often involve partnerships between schools and community-based organizations. ELOs for credit serve as a multiple pathways approach for students to engage in academically rigorous and engaging learning. At Central Falls High School some ELOs take place during the school day as part of the regular curriculum and other ELOs take place after-school or during the summer and are driven by students particular interests and passions.

ELOs can be in ANY subject and for ANY student.

At the heart of ELOs is the belief that:

• Students learn best when they participate in the design of their learning.
• Learning can take place at all times of the day, in all different kinds of environments, and in different ways.
• Teachers are critical to the ELO process—they ensure that the learning is based on academic standards.
• Community partners are instrumental to experiential learning that helps students to apply their learning in real-world settings.
• Learning can be simultaneously individualized to a student’s learning style and academically rigorous.
• High-quality learning requires the collaboration between school, community, and families.

In addition to ensuring that students meet or exceed proficiency in required learning standards, and providing students with opportunities to pursue their passions, ELOs help students develop 21^st Century Skills, including: critical thinking, creativity, innovation, flexibility, ethical and collaborative problem solving, effective use of applied technology, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Read the Student Guide to Getting Involved to find out about the many opportunities available for students outside of traditional school time.

This year, students are involved in the following Group ELOs for credit:

• Principals of Non Violence
• Young Voices
• Central Falls History
• Kids in the Canyon
• ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering)
• Restorative Workouts
• Street Law
• Goodwill

 Students are involved in the following Individual ELOs for credit:

• Non-Profit Business Management
• Graphic Design
• The Amazing World of Water
• Italian Tour
• Silent Film-making
• Baseball Physics
• Piano: Following Chopin’s Footsteps
• Kids’ Emotional Lives
• Teaching Middle School Kids a HealthyLivingAfter-School Program
• Journalism
• Braille and Blindness
• Restoration Practices
• How to Become a Veterinary Technician

 Want to get involved? Do you have questions?

Contact the Central Falls High School ELO Coordinator

Elizabeth Ochs
(401) 727-7710 

Informational Links

Closing the Gap through Extended Learning Opportunities (NEA)

Expanded Learning Opportunities in Rhode Island (RIASPA)

A More Comprehensive Approach (Alliance for Excellence in Education)

Helping Older Youth Succeed (Harvard Family Research Project)