Young people who have access to “high quality” afterschool programs, expanded learning opportunities, and complementary learning activities that are conducted by well trained professional staff, are designed based on need and have achievable measurable outcomes will be the recipients’ of the most positive affects that these programs have to offer.

Better academic standing, improved social skills, more favorable view of oneself, increased self awareness of health habits have been shown to be the results of a young person’s regular attendance at a well managed out-of-school time program.

Afterschool programs both complement school day activities like offering real life experiences related to learning, and also make available activities that are less often accessible at schools, such as fine arts, physical education, and career development. They also present unique opportunities for young people to be exposed to less traditional experiences such as project learning, service-learning, and cultural and social differences.