Laity Expanded Arts Program

L.E.A.P.®

Bringing Quality After-School Programs To All Children

LEAP® is the flagship after-school program of the Laity Institute of the Arts, designed to bring high-quality arts education to students in grades 1 – 8. Through engaging classes in Acting, Art, Animation, Dance, and Music, LEAP® develops students’ creative abilities while strengthening confidence, discipline, and intellectual curiosity.

Built in alignment with the National Core Arts Standards, LEAP® provides schools and organizations with a structured, standards-based arts program that complements academic learning and enriches the whole child. Our goal is simple: make meaningful arts education accessible, impactful, and sustainable.

Want LEAP® at Your School or Organization?

If your school or organization does not yet offer LEAP®, we invite you to explore how it can serve your students and community.

LEAP® is commonly implemented through partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations. Programs are designed collaboratively to align with each site’s student population, schedule, space, and available resources. Many partners choose LEAP® because it allows students to access a level of arts education that would otherwise be unavailable.

Class sizes are intentionally small—typically 5 to 15 students per class—to ensure personalized instruction and meaningful engagement.

Program Overview

Who We Serve

LEAP® can support up to 100 students per week at a single school or organization, depending on program design and class offerings.

Where Programs Take Place

Classes are held after school on campus or at designated activity centers, using approved classrooms, studios, or multi-purpose spaces.

Enrollment Structure

Programs are designed with a minimum enrollment threshold to ensure instructional quality and program sustainability. Final enrollment numbers are determined during the planning process.

Program Models

Traditional After-School Program

Runs during the academic year
Meets Monday through Friday
Approximately 3 hours per day after school

Summer Arts Program

Runs over a 30-day summer session
Meets five days per week
Full-day schedule
Includes instructional materials, enrichment activities, and nutrition

Each program model is customized to meet the needs of the host site and its students.

Our Purpose

LEAP® exists to elevate the visual and performing arts within educational settings and to reaffirm their essential role in student development. The program enhances daytime instruction by offering rich, content-driven arts experiences that focus on three foundational outcomes:

Skills – What students learn from expert arts educators
Confidence – How students apply and express what they’ve learned
Motivation – What inspires continued growth and exploration

Our Mission

Through LEAP®, we seek to ignite students’ creativity and intellect in dance, music, drama, and visual art. Each program is built upon:

Relevant, age-appropriate, and challenging subject matter
Clearly defined goals and measurable learning objectives
Ongoing assessment to track progress and growth

Our instructors are practicing artists and educators committed to excellence, mentorship, and student development.

Standards & Educational Alignment

LEAP® follows the National Core Arts Standards across:

Visual Arts
Media Arts
Dance
Theatre (Drama)
Music

This alignment ensures that students receive instruction grounded in nationally recognized educational benchmarks.

Facilities & Space Requirements

Certain classes require specific environments to ensure quality instruction.
For example, the Dance program requires a stage or dedicated movement space.

Facility needs are reviewed collaboratively during program planning.

Funding & Partnership Approach

LEAP® programs are developed through partnerships with schools, districts, and organizations, often supported by a combination of institutional funding, grants, and community resources. Because each program is customized, details are discussed during a short planning conversation.

To explore bringing LEAP® to your school or organization, contact us today.

District Partnership & Compliance Framework

The Laity Expanded Arts Program (LEAP) is designed to operate as a fully compliant expanded learning partner for California public schools, aligned with requirements established by the California Department of Education and local education agencies (LEAs).

1. Program Structure & Daily Operations

Program Type: Expanded Learning / Afterschool Enrichment
Grade Levels Served: K–8
Program Schedule:

Operates immediately after the school day
Minimum of 3 hours per day when required by funding source
Offered 3–5 days per week based on site needs

Program Model:
LEAP blends arts enrichment with youth development, providing structured instruction in:

Acting & Theatre
Visual Art
Animation & Digital Media
Dance & Movement
Music

Programs are customized in coordination with each school site to support academic engagement, creativity, and social-emotional development.

2. Staffing, Safety & Compliance Assurance

Laity Arts maintains strict compliance with district and state safety requirements.

Staff Requirements

All LEAP instructors and site staff complete:

Live Scan fingerprinting & DOJ/FBI clearance
Mandated Reporter Training (renewed annually)
CPR & First Aid certification
TB clearance
Ongoing professional development

Staffing Ratios

Maintained in accordance with district and expanded learning guidelines
Ratios adjusted by grade level and activity type

Supervision & Dismissal

Secure student check-in and check-out procedures
Supervised transitions between activities
Authorized pickup protocols enforced

3. Safe & Supportive Learning Environment

LEAP programs prioritize student safety, belonging, and well-being.

Clear behavior expectations and positive discipline practices
Trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate instruction
Inclusive environments welcoming students of all backgrounds
Emergency procedures aligned with school site policies

4. Alignment With California Expanded Learning Quality Standards (ELQS)

LEAP is intentionally designed to align with the Expanded Learning Quality Standards

in the following areas:

Safe & Supportive Environment
Active & Engaged Learning
Skill Building through sequential arts instruction
Youth Voice & Choice embedded in creative projects
Quality Staff with arts and youth-development expertise
Equity & Access through inclusive program design
Collaborative Partnerships with school sites and families
Program Management & Continuous Improvement

Program design, staff training, and evaluation are guided by these standards.

5. Attendance Tracking & Program Accountability

LEAP maintains accurate and auditable records, including:

Daily student attendance logs
Enrollment documentation
Staff schedules and assignments
Incident and safety reports (as needed)

Attendance data is shared with district partners in alignment with funding and reporting requirements.

6. Nutrition & Student Wellness (When Applicable)

When required by funding source or district agreement:

Programs support district-provided snacks or meals
Nutrition policies align with state and district guidelines

7. Equity, Access & Inclusion

Laity Arts is committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality arts education.

Programs are designed to serve diverse student populations
Accommodations are made to support students with varying needs
Tuition-based, grant-funded, and district-funded models are supported

8. Partnership & Implementation Model

LEAP operates as a collaborative partner with schools and districts.

Laity Arts works with each site to:

Align schedules and space usage
Coordinate enrollment and communication
Integrate program goals with school culture
Support compliance and reporting needs

Programs may be implemented as:

District-funded expanded learning programs
Site-based pilot programs
Grant-supported enrichment initiatives

9. Continuous Quality Improvement

LEAP engages in ongoing evaluation to strengthen program impact.

Staff feedback and training cycles
Site partner input and review
Program observation and refinement
Alignment reviews with Expanded Learning Quality Standards

10. Insurance & Organizational Standing

Laity Arts maintains:

General liability insurance
Workers’ compensation coverage
Active nonprofit governance and financial oversight

Documentation is available upon request for district review.