Extended Learning Opportunities

The Extended Learning Opportunity Program seeks to assist publicly funded school administrative units (SAUs) in adopting and/or expanding Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Programs in Maine to help Maine youth gain a better understanding of their career opportunities, acquire valuable foundational and 21st Century skills, as well as create meaningful connections to employers in our state.

ELOs are experiences outside of the traditional classroom, with an emphasis on community-based career exploration, which may be credit-bearing. ELOs are hands-on and students can earn elective or core credit. These programs include paid work experiences, expanding educational opportunities in rural Maine, work skills development, and increasing engagement of otherwise disengaged youth. ELO Expansion Grants totaling $7.1 million have been awarded for 38 ELO programs across Maine covering 13 of Maine's 16 counties since 2022.

Throughout Maine, students are using ELOs to explore their interests, build skills, connect with mentors, and discover new possibilities for their futures. Each month, we're highlighting one of the many students whose ELO experience demonstrates what learning can look like beyond the traditional classroom.