New Survey of 30,000+ Parents Finds Costs, Accessibility Are Insurmountable Barriers for Many Families, as Support for and Satisfaction with Afterschool Programs Grow
Washington, D.C., Oct. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nine in ten parents are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends, and there is overwhelming support for more funding for afterschool. But unmet demand is painfully high in all 50 states, with majorities of middle- as well as low-income families who want afterschool programs shut out.
The parents of 29.6 million children, more than half the school-age students in the United States, want afterschool programs for their children – but just 7 million are currently enrolled. Another 22.6 million children would attend afterschool programs if they were available. That means three in four of the children (77%) whose parents want to enroll them in an afterschool program are being left behind. Cost, availability, and accessibility are the barriers families cannot overcome.
Those are among the findings from the fifth edition of America After 3PM, released today. Commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance and conducted by Edge Research, the new study is based on a survey of 30,515 U.S. parents of school-age children who live in their households. It examines 20 years of data and is the first afterschool household survey conducted post-pandemic.
It finds a wide, and widening, opportunity gap. Children in low- and middle-income families are more likely to be without the afterschool programs their parents want for them (84% and 73%, respectively) than children in high-income families (59%). Families in the highest income bracket now spend approximately nine times as much per year on out-of-school time activities as families in the lowest income bracket, up sharply from five times as much five years ago.
“Families at all income levels want afterschool opportunities and those with resources invest heavily in afterschool programs and activities. But it’s concerning that, after adjusting for inflation, afterschool spending by families in the lowest income bracket has decreased since 2020, while spending by families in the highest income bracket has grown, exacerbating inequities,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “Afterschool programs give students a safe place to go after the school day ends, boost their academic achievement, help address the youth mental health and chronic absenteeism crises, provide alternatives to screen time, give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe and supervised, and more. Our country will be stronger and more successful when all children can take advantage of what afterschool programs offer – but, sadly, this study shows we’re nowhere near reaching that goal. We need greater support from federal, state, and local governments, businesses, and philanthropy. Every child deserves access to a quality afterschool program.”
“Afterschool programs foster resilience, build essential skills, and provide safe, supportive spaces for learning and growth while helping parents work and growing the economy,” said Heather Nesle, president of the New York Life Foundation (NYLF) and board member of the Afterschool Alliance. “That’s why, over the last nine years, the NYLF Aim High initiative has awarded $13.35 million to afterschool programs serving middle school youth. Afterschool programs support families, strengthen our communities, and help give every child the opportunity to succeed.”
Other findings from America After 3PM 2025:
Access is uneven by age, race, and community type.
Cost is the greatest challenge for families whose child is not in an afterschool program.
Demand varies by state.
Satisfaction among parents with students in afterschool programs is high.
Parents recognize the benefits for children: safety, skills, school engagement, and well-being.
Parents say afterschool programs support working families.
Parents want more public funding for afterschool programs.
The new study has significant policy implications and identifies opportunities for improvements, including:
This fifth edition of America After 3PM is based on a survey of 30,515 U.S. parents or guardians with a school-aged child living in their household, with at least 200 interviews completed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It was conducted in English and Spanish using a mixed-mode methodology to reach as many households as possible. Data was collected between January 31 and April 21, 2025. The margin of error for the child- and household-level data is +/- < 1 percent. Previous America After 3PM surveys were conducted in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2020.
America After 3PM 2025 is made possible through the Afterschool Alliance’s partnership with the New York Life Foundation.
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.
Inspired by New York Life’s tradition of service and humanity, the New York Life Foundation has, since its founding in 1979, provided over $470 million in charitable contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation supports programs that benefit young people, particularly in the areas of educational enhancement and childhood bereavement. The Foundation also encourages and facilitates the community involvement of employees and agents of New York Life through its Volunteers for Good program and Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative. To learn more, please visit www.newyorklifefoundation.org.
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