Davis Joint Unified School District

What is ELO-P?
ELO-P stands for “Expanded Learning Opportunity Program.” State law defines expanded learning programs or ELO-P as ”before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences.”
Program Funding:  S.P.A.R.K. is funded by the California Department of Education, as a part of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P).  Pursuant to the requirements in California Education Code Section 46120, DJUSD receives ELO-P funding for afterschool and summer school enrichment programs for transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. 

Program Components

• A safe, healthy, and nurturing environment that will reinforce the character and behavioral expectations they learn and practice during their regular school day.
• Positive interactions with staff, caregivers, and students that promote respect and inclusion.
• Program activities that foster the social, emotional, academic, and physical development of students.
• A curriculum based on the developmental needs of school-age students.
• Educational enrichment, such as arts and crafts, academic games, science, STEM, etc.
• DJUSD Student Nutrition Services (SNS) is committed to serving and encouraging healthy snacks. SNS provides TK S.P.A.R.K. students a lunch and 2-food group snack, and After School S.P.A.R.K. students are offered a 2-food group snack daily.
• A 20:1 student ratio (grades 1-6).  10:1 student ratio (TK/K).

• If you have not yet created a District Webstore account, you will need to do so.
• Even if you already have a webstore account with a specific school site, a separate District Webstore account is required.

1. Visit the DJUSD Webstore:  https://djusdwebstore.myschoolcentral.com/
2. Log in using your email address and password.
3. On the left hand side, under Account Information, click Unpaid Items.
4. Add the item to your cart and proceed to check out.
5. Complete your payment.
6. If your payment is successful, you will receive an emailed receipt.

Applications and Enrollment

How do I apply?
Applications are available through Informed K-12. A link will be posted on the SPARK main webpage when applications open.

• Applications open April 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
• Applications close April 17, 2026*
• *Applications received after April 17 will be automatically placed on the waitlist.  Submitting an applications received by April 17 does NOT guarantee placement in a program.

I am currently enrolled in SPARK, do I need to apply every year?

Yes, you need to reapply each year.  Enrollment does not carry over from year to year.  

If my student is currently enrolled in S.P.A.R.K., do we have any priority or guarantee for a spot in the program the following year?

Unfortunately, no.  Each year begins a new enrollment period, and all applications are processed according to prioritization and lottery system. This approach helps ensure an equitable process for all families including those who have not previously had the opportunity to participate or who are new to the district.
When will I know if my student has a spot in the program?

Applications must be submitted between April 1 thru April 17, though this does not guarantee your student a spot due to high demand. An application is an expression of interest, not a guarantee of enrollment.
Families will receive an email regarding enrollment status the week of May 11.
If no space is available, or if you apply after the deadline (April 17), your student will be automatically placed on the waitlist.
Are all students eligible and is placement on a first-come-first-served basis?
All students are eligible to apply. Following the state ELO-P legislation, unduplicated students will be given priority to enroll first. Enrollment is based on capacity at a school site and will follow this priority order:

• Priority 1: Foster youth, homeless, qualifies for free/reduced lunch,
• Priority 2: English Learners and students of DJUSD employees
• Priority 3: All other students

Program availability is based on safety, facilities, and staffing.  If applications exceed available space, a lottery is conducted within each priority category.

Important:
SPARK reserves a designated number of spots for each priority group within each program (TK and After School).  Enrollment is offered within each group based on the number of spots available for that priority group.

Disenrollment

My childcare needs have changed, and I would like to withdraw my enrollment. How can I proceed with disenrollment?

• Changes in enrollment require 30 days notice.  Please contact [email protected] for any enrollment changes.  No refunds will be offered.
• If you disenroll and wish to re-enroll you will not be guaranteed a spot in a SPARK program.

If I cancel my enrollment, will I receive a refund?

• Annual registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable
• Monthly fees are non-refundable and cannot be pro-rated.

Waitlist

How do priority waitlists work?

• Each priority category maintains its own separate waitlist.
• If the reserved spots for a particular priority group are filled, students will be added to the waitlist for that specific priority group.
• Students are placed only on the waitlist for the priority category for which they qualify and are not moved between priority groups.

• Due to high demands, SPARK programs often have long waitlists.  If you receive an email stating that your student has been placed on a waitlist, no further action is needed.  Your student will remain on the waitlist, and we will reach out to you if and when a space becomes available.  
• We do not provide waitlist updates or disclose a student's position on the waitlist
• Waitlist times vary widely by school site and program.

Program Fees

Billing Schedule: Fees are charged September 2026 through May 2027.

Fee Waivers

• Homeless or foster youth
• Qualifies for Free and Reduced Meals
  
  
  • Free and reduced meals application: https://www.myschoolapps.com/.  Application for 26-27 school year opens in August 2026.
  • Please contact [email protected] for questions regarding Free and Reduced Meals qualification

My student gets free meals at school, does that mean I qualify?
Not necessarily, all students in California are entitled to school meals at no cost. To be eligible for an ELO-P fee waiver based on income, you must submit a Free and Reduced-Priced Meals application and be approved as eligible. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will qualify for an income-based ELO-P fee waiver for S.P.A.R.K.

Are there options to help pay for SPARK after school care?
DJUSD SPARK program is proud to partner with Children's Home Society of California to support families with additional child care payment options. Eligible families may be able to use childcare subsidies through CHS to help cover the cost of SPARK programming. Families are encouraged to contact CHS directly to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, and available funding.

If you are approved for services through CHS, please notify the SPARK office ([email protected]) so we can coordinate billing.

What are the days and hours of operation?  
S.P.A.R.K. programs operate daily, M - F during the school year and follow the academic calendar.  

During the school year, S.P.A.R.K. follows the dismissal schedule of each individual school site (view the bell schedule at your school’s website).  

• TK S.P.A.R.K. operates from TK dismissal (approximately 11:50 AM) until the primary dismissal
• TK S.P.A.R.K. on Wednesdays will follow early dismissal, at 1:35 pm (1:20 North Davis; 1:30 Cesar Chavez).
• After School S.P.A.R.K. operates from Grades K/1/2/3 dismissal until 5:30 PM daily.
•  Wednesdays:  Start after early dismissal at your student’s school site.
• Conference Weeks:  After School SPARK follows a Wednesday schedule each day.

Is S.P.A.R.K. open on holidays and during the summer?

S.P.A.R.K. ELO-P follows the District’s current School Year Calendar, https://www.djusd.net/about/calendars/.  S.P.A.R.K. programs are closed on all legal holidays and most local holidays.   

SPARK does offer a Summer S.P.A.R.K. camp, information regarding camp will be posted on the website when information is available.

Does S.P.A.R.K. offer camp days when school is out of session?

For some local holidays or teacher work days, S.P.A.R.K. may offer a Camp Day.  Camp Days are available and advertised to enrolled families and involve a separate registration process.  Camp Days are offered as a full day program (8:30 AM - 5:30 PM).

No, you may only apply to a S.P.A.R.K. program at the school your student is currently enrolled at.  

My student has been approved for an intra-district transfer, will their S.P.A.R.K. enrollment also transfer?

Unfortunately, no.  Because we are enrolling all school sites simultaneously and enrollment is highly impacted, it is not possible for us to reserve spots for transfers.  Please contact [email protected] to have your S.P.A.R.K. application transferred to the new school.  If the S.P.A.R.K. program at the new school has openings, we will do our best to facilitate the transfer.  However, if the new school is at full capacity, your student will be placed on the waiting list.

DJUSD Expanded Learning Opportunity Program Plan - Board approved 5/1/2025