Study Finds More Parents Want Children in After-School Programs But Needs Not Being Met

Despite an increased number of parents wanting their children to participate in after-school programs, such demands are not being met for more than three in four children, according to data from America After 3PM.

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A report titled “Lost Opportunity: Afterschool in Demand, But Out of Reach for Many” noted that the after-school field has made great strides in the past 25 years from growth in federal and state funding to strong investment and positive outcomes for young people.

America After 3PM conducts a study every five years to help guide work in the field and to examine how children and youth spend the hours after school and over the summer.

The study’s 2025 edition found that after-school programs address many of society’s problems , give youths opportunities to connect them with peers and mentors while developing their skills and leadership, and provide parents with a lifeline to help them keep their jobs and lower stress.

However, the study found that the nation is far from realizing its potential because many families cannot access after-school programs. A total of three out of four children whose parents want programs don’t have them, the study found.

Since the previous America After 3PM study, a number school programs have closed, community organizations have been shuttered, and there has been a rise in youth mental health challenges and absenteeism.

The report notes that after-school and summer programs play a critical role in supporting youth, their parents, and the economy. It calls for programs to be made available to all families who want to utilize them.

For more details, read the entire America After 3PM study.