Three high school after-school initiatives: lessons learned

Area of Science:

• Education Policy
• Youth Development
• After-School Programs

Background:

• Significant numbers of high school students are disengaged and lack critical skills upon graduation.
• Despite their importance, high school after-school programs receive disproportionately low funding compared to other age groups.
• Policymakers and advocates recognize after-school programming for older youth as a critical area for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review lessons learned from successful high school after-school initiatives.
• To identify promising practices and program models for engaging adolescents.
• To inform future development and funding of after-school programs for high schoolers.

Main Methods:

• Review of three successful after-school initiatives: After School Safety and Education for Teens, After School Matters, and the After-School Corporation.
• Analysis of strategies used to attract and engage high school students.
• Identification of key insights and transferable lessons.

Main Results:

• Successful programs attract and engage high school students through meaningful activities.
• These initiatives support academic success and the transition to early adulthood.
• Pioneering efforts offer valuable models for future program development.

Conclusions:

• Successful after-school programs for high schoolers are vital for student success.
• Increased public and private investment is necessary to expand these programs.
• Collaboration between policymakers, funders, and program developers is essential.