More Langley middle schoolers will be staying after school this spring, but not because they are in trouble.

A new Extended Day Program at Langley Middle School gives students the opportunity to stay after school hours to get additional help from teachers and to use computers with teachers’ supervision.

Specific rooms, including the library and computer lab will be open to all LMS students from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., depending on the teacher.

Eighth-grader Natasha Knowlton likes having the opportunity to work on homework after school.

“I have a big project due next week. It’s quiet in the library and a good place to work,” she said. “Besides my home computer doesn’t work right now.”

There are 20 computers, including several Apple Macintosh G4s, in the library’s multi-media center, and another 24 computer stations in the school’s computer lab, which is also open after school.

The school’s new program is funded by Initiative 728, which was approved last year to help reduce class size. By extending school hours on a voluntary basis, students have access to computers and one-on-one assistance from participating teachers. The initiative contains specific language to assist schools with programs to improve academic standards in language arts and math.

“The purpose of having the extended day is so students can work on projects and receive additional academic assistance under the supervision of several members of our teaching staff,” said LMS Principal Greg Willis.

Students may use the program to receive assistance and support in the areas of math, language arts and use of the computers and video equipment for special projects and homework.

“This program allows us to address the needs of students who require different levels of assistance,” Willis said.

The extended day program will, for instance, help students who need assistance with homework. Willis said adding hours to the end of the school day will be of great benefit to the student who is really struggling. He said the school will let parents know their kids can get more teacher contact time at LMS.

“When a teacher sends a progress report home indicating a student needs work in math or language arts, a flyer about the program will be included to inform parents about the program,” Willis said. “I think this program will really take off as more students and parents become aware of it.”

There is no school bus service, so parents of participating students must arrange transportation.

Academic assistance and supervision is provided by teachers Rachel Kizer in math, Kent Ratekin in language arts and math, Jenny Campbell in language arts, and Kim Martin and librarian Charles Snelling in computers.

Snelling said after school is the perfect time for students to do out-of-class work.

“The library is a great resource and set up to do projects,” he said. “After school is a good time for students to develop their computer skills, too.”

Students can also work on special projects, like the seventh-grade Cultural Fair and June’s eighth-grade Kaleidoscope.

There are no restrictions on the program, so students may participate at any time and are not required to stay for the entire three-hour after-school session. The program is funded through the end of this school year, but Willis hopes to bring it back next fall.

“We will evaluate it as we go, and learn some things about it with the hope of offering it next year,” he said.

In addition to the new extended hours program, the older Homework Club meets after school at LMS each Wednesday to bring volunteer mentors together with students and their homework.

Willis said South Whidbey High School plans to start its Extended Day Program soon.