WHy afterschool
What the data says
Afterschool experiences are a necessity for children and their families.
Parents work A LOT, and because of this, the need for quality childcare and enriching learning opportunities is irrefutable. For Tennessee families, hundreds of thousands of youth are left unsupervised after school – the time when juvenile crime peaks.
The benefits are endless!
For decades, afterschool programs have provided safe and nurturing learning environments for students and their families.
The benefits include:
- Tutoring to boost academic achievement
- Fun and unique enrichment opportunities
- Leadership experiences
- Social, emotional, and developmental support
Afterschool brings a return on investment.
It is estimated that for every dollar invested brings a return of $3 to society given the wealth of benefits students receive to enhance their futures. Investment in high-quality learning opportunities sets students up for success, including greater likelihood for graduating from school, becoming employed or going to college, and decreases the likelihood for remedial education, social services, and involvement in the criminal justice system.
Our programs have a long history of success based on best practices.
Since 2005, the University of Tennessee Extension, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Education and the USDA, has received an estimated $14.5 million to fund afterschool programs across the state.
Our programs incorporate best practices for afterschool success, and include:
- tutoring to boost academic achievement,
- unique enrichment experiences in STEAM, ELA, and other subjects,
- strategies to promote social, emotional, and mental health,
- character-building and leadership experiences,
- rigorous evaluation,
- ongoing professional development opportunities.
In fifteen years, our programs have served nearly 6000 Tennessee children and youth. Currently, we have ten active afterschool programs that serve between 300 and 400 K-12 students.
Please visit our program page to learn more!
BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
IMPROVED HOMEWORK
COMPLETION & BETTER GRADES
DECREASED PROBLEM BEHAVIORS
& BETTER SELF REGULATION SKILLS
ADVANCEMENT TO THE
NEXT GRADE
ENHANCED SOCIAL &
EMOTIONAL SKILLS
GREATER GRADUATION RATES
& COLLEGE ATTENDANCE
INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH
& PHYSICAL WELLBEING
Our programs intend to be high-quality, focusing in the following areas: Enrichment, Homework & Tutoring,
Health Promotion and Risk Prevention, and Family Engagement.
enrichment
Enrichment in afterschool offers students unique learning experiences they would otherwise miss in the regular school day. Our enrichment focuses in the following areas:
- Problem-based learning for critical thinking
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) subjects
- English/Language Arts/Reading for literacy standards
- Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to build emotional intelligence
- Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Food Safety to build healthy habits
- Character-building skills, including conflict resolution, teamwork, and leadership
- Diversity and cultural awareness
- Networking opportunities
- Workforce and life skills
- ... And much more!
Health PROMOTION and risk Prevention
Prioritizing students’ physical health needs and emotional wellness is essential to quality afterschool care. Daily, we offer:
- Nutritious snacks,
- Active time for physical activity and exercise,
- “Healthy living” enrichment opportunities to teach wholesome habits, life skills, and prevention of risky behaviors,
- Regular check-ins and resources to ensure students’ mental health and social needs are met,
- Strategies for regulating emotions and conflict to teach coping skills and resiliency.
- Bullying prevention to develop healthy communication and relationship skills
Homework & tutoring
Every day, we assist students with their homework and tutoring needs. Further, we communicate regularly with regular school day teachers and staff to better align afterschool enrichment to what children and youth are learning in school.
benefits for families
FAQs
Parents strongly agree that our afterschool programs are beneficial:
- 78% say afterschool helps them keep their jobs;
- 62% believe afterschool excites children about learning,
- 78% suggest afterschool reduces risk-taking behaviors
- The majority are satisfied with the quality, availability, and resources offered in afterschool.
Throughout the year, families are invited to attend family engagement events, parent nights, student showcases, and more to showcase and celebrate the work students are doing in afterschool. Such events might include: Family Cooking Events, Career Fairs, Fall Festivals, Healthy Living Expos, Paint Nights, Performances or Plays, and much more!