As schools navigate new attendance recovery guidance and evolving funding pressures, Saturday school is emerging as a strategic opportunity to recover lost revenue, increase learning time, and support student success. This clearly illustrates why weekend programs are a win.
Under California Education Code §37223, districts can now recover up to $80 per student, per Saturday through compliant weekend programming. With the right structure and partnerships, this can be a win for students, families, and district budgets alike.
This article outlines a three-pronged approach for districts looking to implement Saturday school in a way that is compliant, enriching, and low-lift for school sites.
Why Saturday School?
Each time a student is absent, the district loses ADA-linked funding. Multiply that by hundreds of absences per year, and the fiscal impact is significant. Saturday school allows districts to recover this funding by offering in-person, standards-aligned learning opportunities on weekends—especially now that up to $80 per student per day can be claimed when done in compliance with state law.
But how do you implement Saturday programs without exhausting your team?
Here’s the answer.
A 3-Pronged Approach to Running Saturday Programs
1. Compliance: Anchor with a Credentialed District Staff Member
The law is clear: to generate ADA for Saturday programs, instruction must be delivered by a credentialed district employee. This doesn’t mean the entire program must be led by teachers—but at least one credentialed staff member must supervise the session and be present on-site.
Many districts assign a:
- Site administrator
- Enrichment coordinator
- Substitute teacher
This ensures the program meets all compliance requirements while allowing flexibility in delivery.
2. Partnership: Leverage Turnkey Support from a Trusted Vendor
Districts don’t have to go it alone. Kodely partners directly with districts to co-run Saturday programs that meet all legal and instructional requirements. In this model:
- The district provides the credentialed staff member
- Kodely provides the rest: staffing, curriculum, materials, student engagement, and logistics
Together, we build a program that aligns with both ELO-P priorities and your district’s instructional goals. Sessions are hands-on, project-based, and deeply engaging for students, with themes such as:
- Game and App Development
- Robotics and Engineering
- Podcasting and Digital Media
- Entrepreneurship and 3D Design
All content is tied to weekday learning and delivered by trained facilitators in collaboration with district oversight.
3. Impact: Launch, Track, and Recover ADA
Once programs are in place, every Saturday becomes a powerful tool for both student growth and revenue recovery. Districts report:
- Up to $2,000 in recovered ADA per Saturday for a class of 25 students
- Stronger attendance habits and engagement
- Increased learning time without disrupting the regular school week
Because the ADA generated on Saturday is applied to the same week the student was absent, the fiscal benefit is immediate and trackable.
Getting Started
Kodely is currently supporting Saturday programs across major districts like LAUSD, San Diego Unified, and Twin Rivers. Our approach is designed to reduce lift on school teams while delivering high-quality, compliant instruction every weekend.
This model is not only sustainable—it’s scalable. And it pays for itself.
Final Takeaway
Saturday school, when done right, is not an extra burden. It’s a smart strategy to:
- Recover significant funding
- Extend learning time for students
- Strengthen district outcomes with minimal overhead
By anchoring with a credentialed staff member, leveraging a vendor partner, and focusing on student-centered programming, districts can launch Saturday programs that are compliant, impactful, and financially beneficial.
Want to explore a co-run Saturday model for your district?
Email us at sri@kodely.io or schedule a quick intro call to see how we can help you design and launch a fully compliant program that unlocks new revenue and real student engagement.