Why After-School Programs Are So Valuable

We’re not talking about hanging out with the detention teacher just to put in your time because your dog ate your homework. Or because you hid in the locker room during gym.

After-school programs rock because of all the amazing things caring adults do with young people outside the regular school day classroom. Like arts and crafts and cooking… reading stories and writing computer code… robots and relay races and running downfield for the big catch. And of course, the snacks.

After-school programs — we also call them Out-of-School-Time or OST — support kids in so many ways that we can’t even count them. It’s about giving kids a safe place and space to be while parents are still at work. Helping kids with social and emotional questions and skills-building. Giving them opportunities to promote physical and mental health with friends and teachers who care about them. All this leads to stronger academic development, reduces risky behaviors and gives kids hope for the future.

Every day, we see how after-school programs change kids’ lives. It’s not an exaggeration to say they bloom like flowers and have a stronger sense of self-confidence, taking greater ownership of their learning.

But don’t just take our word for it. Read what the researchers have found.

• After-School Programs Benefits for Youth, Families, and Communities

• Celebrating Lights On After School

• The Value of Out-of-School-Time Programs

• After-School Alliance Fact Sheets

Colorado AeroLab instructors work with K–12 students in East Grand and West Grand School Districts to offer high-quality Out-of-School-Time programs. We are committed to the success of young people.