--- title: 6 Benefits of After-School Enrichment Programs [+Free Grants Guide] description: Wondering what the benefits of after-school enrichment programs are? Learn how they can help you increase attendance, improve graduation rates, and more. image: https://www.21cclc.com/hubfs/2022%20Blog%20Feature%20Image%20Templates%20-%20JD/OneCampus%20Update%20Featured%20Image%20Template%20-%20Helping%20Todays%20Youth-%20%206%20Benefits%20of%20After-School%20Enrichment%20Programs.png --- [![After School 21 - Full Color](https://www.21cclc.com/hubfs/After%20School%2021%20-%20Full%20Color.svg "After School 21 - Full Color")](https://www.21cclc.com/) # 21CCLC Blog # Helping Today's Youth: 6 Benefits of After-School Enrichment Programs By Phillip Smith | Aug 9, 2019 12:00:00 PM | [After School Programs](https://www.21cclc.com/blog/topic/after-school-programs) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=6%20Benefits%20of%20After-School%20Enrichment%20Programs%20%5B%2BFree%20Grants%20Guide%5D) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2F6-benefits-of-after-school-enrichment-programs%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) *This blog was updated on July 25th, 2023.* After-school enrichment programs offer many benefits, such as: - Building on different skill sets - Inspiring future career paths - Improving school-day attendance In fact, [nine in ten adults](http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/research.cfm) say after-school programs are important to their community. This article highlights a few ways that after-school enrichment programs help today’s youth. [Download our Guide to Creating a Successful Educational Grants Management Plan for Your After-School Program](https://www.21cclc.com/ebook-creating-a-successful-educational-grants-management-plan-for-your-after-school-program) ## **1. Improve school-day attendance** [Research](https://www.attendanceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Afterschool9.20.pdf) has repeatedly revealed that after-school enrichment programs improve school-day attendance. A study on AfterZone, an after-school program in Providence, Rhode Island, found that enrolled students had [25% fewer school absences than their peers](https://www.expandinglearning.org/docs/chang_jordan.pdf). After-school programs allow students to socialize with their peers and develop an increased sense of belonging at school. In addition, programs help establish a clear link between effort and results outside the school environment, encouraging the same effort in the classroom. ## **2. Build foundational skills** The [Workforce Readiness and Afterschool: Network Leads Survey Summary](https://www.furman.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/195/rileypdfFiles/WRPAfterschoolPPTforWeb.pdf) indicated that the top five foundational skills developed by after-school programs are teamwork, communication, problem-solving, self-confidence, and critical thinking. The survey also shared the following statistics: - 89% of survey respondents reported that after-school programs improve teamwork skills - 87% said after-school programs grow self-confidence “a lot” - 81% said after-school programs help improve communication skills ## **3. Improve work habits and grades** After-school enrichment programs improve school-day attendance, work habits, and grades. [One in two](http://afterschoolalliance.org//documents/This-is-Afterschool-National-One-Pager.pdf) students who regularly attend an after-school program improved their math and reading grades. More than [68%](http://afterschoolalliance.org//documents/This-is-Afterschool-National-One-Pager.pdf) of students improved their homework completion rates and class participation. ## **4. Inspire higher graduation rates** Other major benefits to after-school enrichment programs are decreased dropout rates and increased graduation rates. [77%](https://www.apexlearning.com/blog/can-out-school-time-programs-decrease-dropout-rates) of parents in one study believe that after-school programs reduce high school dropout rates and increase the number of students who receive a diploma. ## **5. Explore different career paths** Students who regularly attend after-school programs are also more likely to explore different career paths. Enrichment programs create a safe space where students can explore new interest areas and build confidence in their abilities. These programs also promote workforce development by helping students learn critical skills and explore different career interests. ## **6. Reduce crime and delinquency** [One in five kids](http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/Protective-Factors-One-Pager.pdf) in America is alone between 3-6 p.m., which increases their likelihood of engaging in risky behavior. Unsupervised children are three times more likely to skip classes or experiment with drugs. After-school enrichment programs ultimately reduce crime and delinquency by providing students with access to a safe, supervised space between the hours of 3-6 p.m. ## Creating a grants management plan for your after-school enrichment program There are a number of benefits of after-school enrichment programs—and these programs are even more beneficial with the right resources in place. In addition to running enrichment programs and complying with reporting requirements, after-school program directors are tasked with [securing funding to keep the lights on](https://www.21cclc.com/keeping-your-lights-on-handbook) and ensure long-term program sustainability. Every after-school program director needs a grants management plan in place to maintain funding and sustain the program. Download our [*Guide to Creating a Successful Educational Grants Management Plan for Your After-School Program *](https://www.21cclc.com/ebook-creating-a-successful-educational-grants-management-plan-for-your-after-school-program)to learn more about taking proactive steps to ensure long-term funding and program sustainability. ![Phillip Smith](https://www.21cclc.com/hubfs/img/author_headshots/PHSmithFam13-0213.jpg) **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. 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