What is the Expanded Learning Initiative?

Originally, the Expanded Learning Initiative (ELI) was launched as a city-wide summer initiative—a way to connect students with meaningful learning and enrichment experiences during the months they were away from school. But as the need for high-quality, out-of-school opportunities grew, so did the scope of our work. Learn more about our summer programs and the history of ELI here.

Today, ELI is the umbrella term we use to describe all of The Opp Project’s expanded learning efforts—including afterschool clubs, summer programs, and out-of-school time enrichment. It reflects our commitment to helping youth thrive in all the time they spend outside the traditional classroom, not just in the summer. Through ELI, we collaborate with educators, school districts, and community partners to offer engaging, youth-centered programming year-round.

In short: what started as a summer initiative is now a citywide movement to reimagine learning beyond the school day.

Our Programs

The Expanded Learning Initiative is stronger than ever, anchored by four initiatives, and extending across Tulsa Public Schools, Union Public Schools, and San Miguel Middle School:

  • TIDEL (Tulsa's Integrated Data for Expanded Learning) Integrated across Tulsa and Union Public Schools, TIDEL is the real-time data system that helps us track youth engagement, measure program impact, and inform continuous improvement. Learn more

  • Partnership: Affiliate Partners This certification is for youth-serving organizations that work closely with The Opp Project to implement high-quality, impactful programs for Tulsa's youth. Learn more

  • Partnership: Network Partners A vibrant network of 10 youth-serving organizations, selected annually, committed to attending quarterly networking meetings, working towards strengthening and improving the expanded learning landscape in Tulsa. Learn more

  • Partnership: Summer Enrichment The Opp works to organize and activate youth-serving partners to connect with summer school sites, providing programs at no cost to families in Tulsa. Learn more

  • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) High-quality programs are our north star. The CQI process includes assessment, data compilation, coaching, and professional development for youth-serving organizations across Tulsa. Learn more

  • Tulsa EnrichED Developed during school year 22/23, Tulsa EnrichED has expanded to meet multiple school districts across the Tulsa metro, meeting thousands of students annually through teacher-led afterschool clubs. Learn more

The History of ELI