How To: Start Your Own After-School Program 

    

After-school programs are essential to our communities. Without these programs, millions of parents would be left without a reliable, secure, and enriching space for their child to go before or after-school hours. But because these programs exist, participants are allowed the opportunity to receive additional education in a space that is safe and affordable. 

For those who wish to participate in enrichment programming and help students and adults alike during the after-school hours, it’s possible to build an after-school program from the ground up. Starting an after-school program may seem like a daunting undertaking, but with some thorough planning and preparation, your program can be successful, sustainable, and invaluable to your community.

There are many variables that contribute to the success of your program. There are three general work-streams to consider as you research how to launch an after-school or out-of-school-time program in your community:

  1. Secure Sustainable Funding 
  2. Administrative Data Management Download Free ebook about program sustainability, funding types, and reporting requirements
  3. Reporting Requirements  

Of these three work-streams, many new programs often find themselves scrambling to understand funding diversification and the amount of work that should be anticipated for certain types of funding like grants and federal programs. Our new ebook, "So You Started an After-School Program – Now What?" will help decode the differences in reporting requirements of the various funding sources and help you to better understand which are right for your program.  

An after-school software helps program staff spend more time with students as opposed to scrambling to manage reporting and funding. Learn how AfterSchool21 can positively impact your program by scheduling a demonstration with a member of our team.

Phillip Smith

About The Author

Phillip leverages his extensive software and education industry experience to share innovative solutions for many of our valued TransAct customers and partners. As leader of AfterSchool21 and OutOfSchoolTime-Tracker sales, he helps support after-school program administrators in parent pay management and accurate 21APR reporting. Phillip also leads the ActPoint KPI team and the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS) partnership. ActPointKPI supports district and state business leaders nationwide in their efforts to manage costs and drive resources back to where they belong–the classroom.