VISION

The Reach for the Stars Program and Whittier City School District have formed partnerships within the Whittier Community to ensure a safe and nurturing environment.

MISSION

We integrate our resources to create equitable opportunities to empower our youth to thrive and

become impactful members of society. 

HISTORY

The Reach for the Stars program opened its doors in March of 1999 with four elementary school sites. The program was originally funded by a grant offered through the Los Angeles County Office of Education and the State After School Education and Safety (ASES) grant.

In 2009, the program received the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) federal grant allowing us to expand to seven elementary sites including funding for the Jump Start Summer program.  The Jump Start Summer Program implemented a highly integrated approach to learning.  This approach helped to prevent summer learning loss in our at-risk youth. In 2013, Whittier City School District received new ASES and 21^st CCLC grant awards allowing the program to expand its services district-wide.

Currently, we serve approximately 1,500 students grades K-8, before school, after school and during the Summer. We continue to find new ways to increase enrollment and equitable opportunities to serve the youth in our community. In 2019, Whittier City School District formed the Whittier Youth Alliance with the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier and the City of Whittier. This partnership was formed to better serve our community through shared resources and a common vision.