Out-Of-School Time
Out-of-school time programs provide experiences that are meaningful and
beneficial to children, youth, families and communities by offering safe,
engaging and enriching environments for children and youth when they are not
in school. Quality afterschool programs utilize a youth development
philosophy that incorporates the strengths and assets of youth to build
their skills and broaden their experiences. Afterschool programs not only
assist youth with academic issues, but help them develop career paths and
volunteer opportunities, build social skills and become civically engaged,
as well as provide preventive, gender-specific and other specialized
programming. These ongoing, programs occur before school, after school, in
the evenings, and on weekends, as well as during school and other breaks,
school in-service days, late starts or early dismissals. Out-of-school time
programs can be offered by a school, a contractor with a school, a
community-based organization or other partnerships at a school or other
location. These programs might also be referred to as “extended learning
opportunities,” “before and after school programs” or “enrichment” programs.
For more
information on out-of-school time programming in