LEAP Academy
LEAP – Learning Recovery Enrichment Athletics/ Arts/ Academics/ Activities Program
LEAP Academy is a Natomas Unified School District program made possible with state funding from the Expanded Learning Opportunities program (ELO-P) and After School Education and Safety (ASES) program. This funding allows for districts to provide afterschool and intersession programs at schools for specific scholar populations.
Program providers offer extended support in reading, writing, math, science, and healthy habits including nutrition and organized fitness.
LEAP Academy Programs
After-School Program
LEAP Academy After-School Program
American Lakes (TK-8), Bannon Creek (TK-8), H. Allen Hight Elementary (TK-5), Heredia-Arriaga (TK-1), Heron (TK-6), Jefferson (TK-8), Natomas Middle (6-8), Natomas Park Elementary (TK-5), Paso Verde (TK-6), Two Rivers Elementary (TK-5), and Witter Ranch Elementary (TK-5).
Students at academies and charter schools should contact that school’s office for after school options.
Program runs every regular school day from student release time until 6:00pm.
Priority enrollment is given to certain grant specified students groups including foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, English Learners, and students receiving free/reduced lunch services.
2024-2025 (Current Year)
After-School Program Information
2024-2025 After-School Program Flyer
Click Here to Register for CURRENT Year After School Program (2024 – 2025)
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA REGISTRARSE PARA EL PROGRAMA DESPUÉS DE LA ESCUELA DEL AÑO ACTUAL (2024 – 2025)
2025-2026 (Next Year)
After-School Program Information
November, 2024 - Applications open for students in priority populations specified by state grants including Foster Youth, students experiencing homelessness, English Learners, and students receiving free/reduced lunch services. The registration link will be sent to these families via ParentSquare.
February, 2025 - Applications open to all NUSD families, new and returning. A message will be sent via ParentSquare and the link will be posted on this page.
ALL FAMILIES MUST REAPPLY EVERY YEAR. ENROLLMENT DOES NOT ROLL YEAR TO YEAR FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Starting in March, enrollment status notifications will be sent via email by the 15th of each month about the students status in the program.
After-School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- How do I know if my scholar is enrolled in the program?
- I didn't receive a call
- Who can I contact to get information and check on the status of my student?
- What is the expanded learning opportunities program?
- Why is the ELO-P important?
- Why is the ELO-P in NUSD called LEAP?
- Who is eligible to participate in LEAP?
- Is participation in LEAP required?
- Will I need to pay for my child to participate in enrichment programs?
- If my child participates in LEAP, does my child need to attend for the full program?
- What are the attendance requirements if my child also participates in an after-school program like the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program?
- If I express interest in the LEAP program, is my child guaranteed a spot in the LEAP Academy after-school program?
- Can I pick up my child early from the LEAP Academy program?
- Will my student receive supper or snacks while in the program?
- Should I plan for a secondary after-school care program whether or not my student has a duplicated or unduplicated status?
- If my child is not an unduplicated student but has been accepted into the program, will my child be asked to leave the program to make room for unduplicated students?
- Can my child participate in LEAP Academy virtually?
How do I know if my scholar is enrolled in the program?
I didn't receive a call
The site may be at enrollment capacity. A site provider will call and email when space becomes available. To verify your interest form was received you can email leapacademies@natomasunfied.org with your scholars first and last name and birth date. Staff can confirm if the application is on file and the current status, however we do not provide a "waitlist number."
Who can I contact to get information and check on the status of my student?
Please email leapacademies@natomasunified.org with your students full name and birthdate.
What is the expanded learning opportunities program?
The Expanded Learning Opportunities program is an educational initiative that provides students with additional learning experiences outside of the traditional school day. “Expanded learning” means before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interest of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences. It is the intent of the Legislature that expanded learning programs are pupil-centered, results driven, include community partners, and complement, but do not replicate, learning activities in the regular school day and school year.”
Why is the ELO-P important?
Why is the ELO-P in NUSD called LEAP?
Who is eligible to participate in LEAP?
The program aims to be inclusive and serve students of all backgrounds and abilities. However, based on the ELO-P initiative, the LEAP program prioritizes unduplicated TK-8 students who are Foster Youth, English Language Learners, or students who receive free or reduced lunch. Once unduplicated students have been offered access, LEAP services may expand to all other students. Eligibility may also be determined by factors such as grade level, academic performance, or financial need.
Grades served by school
American Lakes: TK-8
Bannon Creek: TK-8
H. Allen Hight: TK-5
Heredia-Arriaga: TK-1
Heron: TK-6
Jefferson: TK-8
Natomas Middle: 6-8
Natomas Park: TK-5
Paso Verde: TK-6
Two Rivers: TK-5
Witter Ranch: TK-5
Is participation in LEAP required?
Will I need to pay for my child to participate in enrichment programs?
If my child participates in LEAP, does my child need to attend for the full program?
What are the attendance requirements if my child also participates in an after-school program like the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program?
If I express interest in the LEAP program, is my child guaranteed a spot in the LEAP Academy after-school program?
Each student is eligible to participate in the LEAP Academy program. However, foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, English Learners, and students qualifying for free/reduced lunch services, are prioritized to participate in the program based on grant requirements. Once all student in these categories are offered access, the remaining students who expressed interest will be enrolled based on date and time the students application was received. Please also note that due to ongoing workforce shortages, students might be added to a waitlist until staffing increases that would then move them from the waitlist to enroll into the LEAP Academy program.
Can I pick up my child early from the LEAP Academy program?
The LEAP Academy integrates homework time as well as enrichment providers to provide activities throughout the after-school program. It is recommended that students not be picked up prior to 4:30 to allow students to participate in these activities. Some sites have required attendance based on the ASES grant where attendance may affect student enrollment. Please adhere to the attendance policy specific to your students site. All students must be picked up prior to 6:00.
Will my student receive supper or snacks while in the program?
Should I plan for a secondary after-school care program whether or not my student has a duplicated or unduplicated status?
If my child is not an unduplicated student but has been accepted into the program, will my child be asked to leave the program to make room for unduplicated students?
Can my child participate in LEAP Academy virtually?
Winter Break Program
LEAP Academy Winter Break Program
Program Locations:
American Lakes and H. Allen Hight
Transportation to and from the students regular school site will be available upon request.
Sites are assigned based on students regular school of enrollment. Parents may not request a specific site.
Program Hours
7:30am (earliest drop off) to 4:30pm (lastest pickup)
Program Dates
December 23, 26, 27, 30, 31, and January 2, 3.
No program on December 24, 25, or January 1.
Program Eligibility
Winter Break program will be available to students in grades TK-6, currently enrolled in the LEAP After School program.
Application and Enrollment Process
Links to the online application for the Winter Break program will be posted at LEAP Academy after school program sites
and sent via ParentSquare to current LEAP Academy families on October 1st and will be due October 31st.
Enrollment notifications will be sent by November 15th via email (be sure to check your spam folder).
Priority enrollment is given to certain grant specified students groups including foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, English Learners, and students receiving free/reduced lunch services.
Winter Break Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- How do I know if my scholar is enrolled in the Winter program?
- Who can I contact to get information and check on the status of my student?
- Who is eligible to participate in LEAP Winter Break Program?
- Will I need to pay for my child to participate in the program?
- If I complete an application, is my child guaranteed a spot in the LEAP Academy Winter Break program?
- Will my student receive food while in the program?
How do I know if my scholar is enrolled in the Winter program?
Who can I contact to get information and check on the status of my student?
Please email leapacademies@natomasunified.org with your students full name and birthdate. Reference the Winter Break Program.
Who is eligible to participate in LEAP Winter Break Program?
Students in grades TK-6, currently enrolled and attending a LEAP Academy after-school program are eligible to apply. However, based on the ELO-P initiative, the LEAP program prioritizes unduplicated TK-6 students who are Foster Youth, English Language Learners, or students who receive free or reduced lunch. Once unduplicated students have been offered access, LEAP services may expand to all other students. Eligibility may also be determined by factors such as grade level, academic performance, or financial need.
The Winter Break Program only serves students in grades TK-6
Will I need to pay for my child to participate in the program?
If I complete an application, is my child guaranteed a spot in the LEAP Academy Winter Break program?
Current LEAP Academy after-school students in grades TK-6 are eligible to participate in the LEAP Academy Winter Break program. However, foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, English Learners, and students qualifying for free/reduced lunch services, are prioritized to participate in the program based on grant requirements. Once all student in these categories are offered access, the remaining students who applied will be enrolled based on date and time the students application was received. Please also note that due to ongoing workforce shortages, students might be added to a waitlist until staffing increases that would then move them from the waitlist to enroll into the LEAP Academy program.
Will my student receive food while in the program?
Summer School Program
Contact
LEAPAcademies@natomasunified.org
Lisset Mijares, Director
Dr. Justin Locketz, Coordinator
Juliane Link-Oberstar, Coordinator
Brittani Siaz, Administrative Assistant
Information for Vendors
If you are interested in providing services or programs the LEAP Academy has an RFQ/RFP process for potential vendors. The last RFP/RFQ process was January of 2024. The next RFQ/RFP process dates have not yet been announced. Please email LEAPAcademies@natomasunified.org to be placed on the mailing list to receive information about upcoming RFQ/RFP processes. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT SITES DIRECTLY.