BLAST is designed by staff trained in child development, education, and youth leadership.  BLAST creates a physically and emotionally safe environment conducive to learning while improving reading, writing, verbal, math, and social and communication skills.  At the elementary level programs are funded to serve approximately 90 students per school day. The junior high and high school programs serve approximately 110-150 per day.  BLAST provides a wide variety of opportunities for participating students.  BLAST program leaders and staff are fully trained in the program they deliver to students.  The BLAST staff is comprised of a diverse team of talented individuals; many are certificated teachers or college students.  Classroom teachers, CARD staff, and community partners round out the team that enjoy making a positive impact on our students.

BLAST offers up to 90 minutes of academic support to promote enthusiasm for learning and building skills in the areas of reading, math, writing, and science.  School principals work closely with community partners and program leaders to identify appropriate staff and to ensure that activities complement the regular school day curriculum.  This is the key to providing a comprehensive learning experience for every student.

Elementary-Students participate in a 40-minute physical activity lesson daily, known as Recreation.  BLAST strives to help students reach the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity.  Leaders are trained in SPARK, an after school program physical education curriculum.  All staff are encouraged to attend 12 hours of SPARK training each year, facilitated by the CUSD SPARK Trainer. 

Students may participate in a variety of fun activities with their friends and peers including arts and crafts, learning how to play musical instruments, dance, writing and performing plays, athletics and educational games.  BLAST provides a safe place in school campuses where students can strengthen academic skills and participate in age-appropriate activities while improving social skills.

Families with children enrolled in Chico Unified School District schools are eligible to apply if their school offers a BLAST program.  Currently, Fair View High School, Bidwell Jr, Chico Jr, and Marsh Jr High Schools, and Chapman, Citrus, Emma Wilson, John McManus, Little Chico Creek, Neal Dow, Parkview, Rosedale, Shasta, and Sierra View Elementary Schools offer these programs.  BLAST is free to all participating families.  At many program sites, demand exceeds capacity; therefore, enrollment is based on need and compliance to the attendance policy.  Families will be contacted when they have been selected for an available opening.  Children who apply, but are not enrolled, will be placed on a wait list.  To be considered for enrollment, you must complete a BLAST After School Program online registration.  The links to register are posted on the BLAST webpage each spring for the following school year's program.  Links and registration is ongoing all year.  Registrations will be reviewed and prioritized based on a rating system as needed.  Please see below for information regarding CARD After School Programs at BLAST schools and non-BLAST CUSD Elementary Schools.

BLAST strives to serve all our CUSD Students within our After School Programs, below are some Demographics of BLAST Grant enrolled students who have attended 75% or more days of the After School Program in the 2021-2022 School year.

• Males-51%
• Females-49%
• Nonbinary-1%
• Percent of Students who are English Language Learners-11%
• Percent of Students who receive Special Ed. Services-18%
• Percent of Students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch-76%