The Illinois After-school Partnership uses the term after-school to refer to programs that provide opportunities for children and youth to participate in rewarding activities, to improve their academic performance, to develop positive relationships with peers and adults, and to gain self-confidence in a positive and safe environment during the hours youth are not in school, including before and after school, summers, weekends, and holidays. The terms out-of-school time programs, school-age care and extended learning opportunities are often used interchangeably with after-school.

After-school programs take place in a wide variety of settings, including schools, park districts, school-age child care centers, community based organizations, county health departments, youth service agencies, and faith based organizations to name a few. After-school programs may serve children and youth from age 6 – 18 and focus on a range of goals including academic achievement, artistic and cultural enrichment, health and recreation, life and vocational skills building, social-emotional development, youth development, and prevention services.

For more information on the Illinois after-school landscape, we recommend reading the Illinois After-school Initiative Task Force Report, which includes data on after-school programs around the state and core elements of quality programs.