GESS includes three core components required by state standards: 

1. Academic Enrichment
   • Includes 30 minutes of homework assistance plus 20 minutes of literacy instruction daily.
2. Health and Wellness
   • Includes 30–45 minutes of outdoor, cooperative play that provides moderate to vigorous physical activity. This supports brain health, bone and muscle development, daily functioning, teamwork, problem-solving, and social–emotional learning.
3. Community Partnerships
   • GESS collaborates with community partners to support program quality and student opportunities.

Monday through Friday

• AM Program: 6:30 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Drop-off is between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Parents/guardians sign students in with GESS staff. Staff will escort students to breakfast or to morning check-in with their classroom teacher.
• PM Program: School dismissal – 6:00 p.m. GESS will provide a list of students enrolled in GESS to teachers. GESS staff will check in all listed students at dismissal.
• Students stay with their grade cohort during GESS
• Students may be picked up any time before 6:00 p.m.; they are not required to remain for the entire program day.
• Students must attend on each day they are scheduled.

• All families will remain on the waitlist until they receive an official acceptance letter and registration link.
• To express interest and be placed on the waitlist, please complete the Interest Form

GESS 2026-2027 Interest Form

• Registration links are expected to go out early June 2026 
• Acceptance letters are expected to go out late June early July 2026 

• Families who qualify for free care do so under Education Code Section 42238.02. Categories include:
  • Students identified as homeless or foster youth
  • Students identified as English language learners
  • Students eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
• Families who do not meet these categories may be eligible for a sliding-scale discount (20%, 30%, or 40%).
• Enrollment priority (in order):
  1. Students identified as homeless or foster youth
  2. Students identified as English language learners
  3. Students eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
  4. All other students on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability

GESS Program Rates

• Childcare will be billed on a set monthly rate schedule (daily rates are not available)
• Sliding Scale 
• Families will be sent a survey link via email and may qualify for 20%, 30%, or 40% off 
• Payment will be made prior to the month starting
• GESS does not accept drop-in students 

• For the 2026–2027 school year, GESS will be operated by ARC, a third-party provider.
• GESS serves both families who qualify for free care under the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) and families who pay tuition. Programs meet state requirements and the California Quality Standards for ELO-P.
• We operate under a ratio of 20 students (1-6th grade) to 1 adult and 10 students (kindergarten) to 1 adult 

• Guajome's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Plan Guide

GESS Family Handbook