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How California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) Is Driving Demand for Modular Classrooms

How California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) Is Driving Demand for Modular Classrooms

More Time to Learn, Move, and Create—But Where?

California just expanded access to its Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), giving hundreds of districts new funding to offer enrichment before school, after school, and during the summer.

That’s great news for parents and students, but a big challenge for schools. Most campuses weren’t built for extended schedules or an extra 30 nonschool days. And with “use-it-or-lose-it” funding deadlines, conventional construction simply can’t keep up.

AMS can.

Our DSA Pre-Checked modular classrooms are designed to deliver bright, flexible, high-quality learning environments fast—so you can maximize funding, meet state requirements, and launch your ELOP programs on time, without disrupting core instruction.

Read on for the latest ELOP updates, including funding details, timelines and requirements, and see how AMS turns those dollars into learning space when you need it.

What Is the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program?

Launched in 2021 under Assembly Bill 130, ELOP funds before-school, after-school and summer enrichment for transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. Funding flows through the California Department of Education and is weighted toward “unduplicated” pupils (low-income, foster youth and English language learners) so resources reach communities that benefit most.

To keep funds in good standing, districts must:
  • Offer in-person enrichment that, when combined with the school day, totals at least nine hours
  • Run programs on a minimum of 30 nonschool days each year
  • Maintain staff-to-student ratios of 1:10 for Traditional Kindergarten (TK) / Kindergarten
  • Maintain staff-to-student ratios of 1:20 for grades 1–6
Each program centers on four pillars:
  • Academic acceleration
  • Arts and STEM exploration
  • Physical activity and wellness
  • Social-emotional skill building

When districts meet these benchmarks, they extend learning time, broaden opportunity and keep general funds focused on core instruction.

What’s Changing?

The May Revision of the 2025–26 state budget adds $515.5 million to ELOP and lowers the eligibility threshold from 75 percent to 55 percent unduplicated pupils. Your district’s actual grant is last year’s spring attendance count (P-2 ADA) multiplied by a per-student rate based on your unduplicated pupil percentage (UPP); districts at or above 75 percent UPP receive the higher rate.

The shift opens the program to hundreds more districts, but every award arrives with firm deadlines:

  • Commit funds within the fiscal year they’re awarded
  • Spend them by the next June 30
  • File a final expenditure report by September 30

If you miss a deadline, unspent dollars go back to the state, so early planning is essential.

The Challenge: Space That Works for Expanded Learning

ELOP success hinges on safe, flexible rooms where students explore, collaborate and thrive. Most campuses were designed for a six-hour day, not nine hours of blended learning or 30 nonschool days. Plus, facilities teams face three more common obstacles:

  • Limited capacity on crowded sites
  • Traditional construction timelines that exceed funding windows
  • The need to add space without disrupting core instruction

Districts must create purpose-built environments quickly, and that’s where modular solutions from AMS come in.

The Solution: Modular Classrooms Designed for ELOP

A short funding window calls for a building method that moves in parallel, not in sequence. AMS meets that need with a five-step process that compresses schedules and protects budgets.

1

Planning and assessment

We work with your team to assess your site, review ELOP requirements, and identify the right DSA Pre-Checked solution—saving time and cost from the start.

2

Design and engineering

We tailor layouts to your program, budget, and timeline, with flexible features like STEM zones, storage alcoves, and integrated tech to support expanded learning.

3

Permitting and approvals

Our DSA Pre-Check process streamlines approvals—often clearing permits the same day—eliminating delays and keeping your project on track.

4

Factory fabrication, sitework and foundation

While your site is prepped, AMS constructs your building in our California factory—reducing schedule risk and accelerating delivery.

5

Delivery and installation

Modules arrive 90% complete, with finishes and systems in place. A typical building can be installed in a single day, minimizing disruption and meeting program deadlines.

Why Choose AMS as Your ELOP partner?

Case Study: Pleasant View Elementary School

Exterior of a single-story building with the words "Expanded Learning Center" on it, trees and plants along the sidewalk, and a clear blue sky overhead.

Pleasant View Elementary faced rising enrollment in its Expanded Learning Opportunities Program and needed a dedicated center fast. Working alongside AMS and architect Mangini Associates, the district chose a 4,320-square-foot AMS FORM building that met schedule, budget and design goals.

Building highlights
  • Two flexible classrooms — a 48′ × 40′ studio for group projects and a 24′ × 40′ breakout room
  • Built-in storage — casework plus a dedicated materials room for enrichment supplies
  • Sliding NanaWalls — floor-to-ceiling glass panels that open the larger classroom to an outdoor courtyard
View from inside a building looking out through open glass doors toward a patio area with trees and a blue-roofed structure in the distance.
Close-up of an exterior wall with the address "18900 Ave 145" and the words "Expanded Learning Center" in large letters, with windows and landscaping in view.
Classroom with rolling chairs, rectangular tables, carpeted floor and large windows and glass doors letting in natural light.
Large multipurpose room with round mobile tables and stools, wall-mounted TVs, windows and light wood flooring.

The single-story center’s exterior features earth-tone stucco and Eldorado Stone veneer wainscoting to complement existing campus architecture. Inside, staff benefit from on-site offices, a separate storage room and a janitorial closet that keep enrichment operations running smoothly without tapping into core instructional spaces. Completed in winter 2024, the new center opened in time for summer 2025 enrichment and now anchors before- and after-school programs.

By selecting modular, Pleasant View met its funding deadline, avoided disruption and created an inviting hub where students can learn and play long after the last bell.


For a closer look—including a video tour—visit the detailed project page.

What Can Your District Gain by Planning Ahead?

Factory schedules and DSA calendars fill up fast—early planning locks in your timeline and protects your funding.

Want to See Modular in Action?

Explore projects that support enrichment, STEM labs, makerspaces and more. Each example shows how modular construction meets educational goals quickly and cost-effectively.

Let’s design the space your students need—on time and within budget. Let’s Talk.