Why It Matters
When the school day ends, city responsibility for youth often begins. Out of School Time (OST) programs, including afterschool and summer learning opportunities, play a crucial role in reducing absenteeism, preventing learning loss, and supporting working families. These programs also help students develop critical life skills and explore interests that may not be covered in school. OST programs can also advance key municipal priorities, from improving public safety by keeping youth engaged in positive environments to supporting workforce development by building early exposure to career pathways and strengthening soft skills.
How Mayors Contribute
Mayors can invest city resources into OST programs, form public-private partnerships, provide stipends or incentives for youth participation, and use city assets like community centers to expand access. They can also coordinate efforts across schools, nonprofits, and city departments to ensure all youth have access.
How to Get Started
- Reach out to a local Statewide Afterschool Network to see what resources are available for the community.
- Access NLC resources about Municipal Support of Out of School Time Programs, Making the Case for Afterschool Programs, and Funding High-Quality Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs.
- Learn more about high-quality summer programs with the Wallace Foundation’s Summer Learning Planning Resources and Toolkit.
Tips for Ongoing Success
- Institutionalize Coordination: Embed shared priorities into agency work plans, data collection efforts, and city budgeting processes to ensure long-term alignment.
- Invest in Quality: Support professional development and quality standards for OST providers.
- Track Access & Outcomes: Use data to understand who is being served, where gaps remain, and what impact programs are having. Explore metrics alignment and data sharing agreements so agencies have access to the same baseline information.
- Celebrate Participation and Performance: Publicly recognize youth participants and program staff to build momentum and pride.
City Example
Madison, WI – Madison-Area Out-of-School Time (MOST) | Population 270,000
MOST coordinates over 100 youth programs and uses city-owned spaces to expand access. The city invests in OST workforce development, improving program quality and sustainability.
Madison-Area Out of School Time (MOST) was established through a partnership with the City of Madison, surrounding counties, the Madison Metropolitan School District, funders, and approximately 100 youth programs to help families access high-quality out-of-school time opportunities. Operating within a cross-system approach, MOST works toward a shared vision: for all Madison’s children and youth to have access to comprehensive, high-quality OST programs. To bring this vision to life, MOST has addressed challenges such as limited capacity, inconsistent funding, and workforce turnover. In collaboration with the mayor, MOST has expanded the use of community centers to increase program capacity, invested in the youth-serving workforce, and secured additional funding to strengthen its offerings.
Over the past few decades, the City of Madison has invested millions of dollars to develop community centers across neighborhoods. Many of these centers summer programs meet Wisconsin’s State Education Agency requirements for summer school programs, allowing more children to enroll in the school district’s summer programming. This initiative not only expands access for youth but also increases the state education funding received by the district which passes it on to community centers to expand access.
To address persistent workforce challenges, MOST has made targeted investments in the OST workforce. After several years of recognizing exceptional staff through annual awards, MOST launched a fellowship program to provide deeper professional development. This initiative supports youth workers through monthly cohort meetings and a capstone community impact project, empowering participants to grow both personally and professionally.
MOST continues to demonstrate the value of high-quality out-of-school time programming through strategic partnerships, storytelling, and system-building efforts. Its work has helped highlight the importance of such programs across Wisconsin. For example, during the pandemic, the Governor of Wisconsin allocated $8.5 million to support local out-of-school time efforts, reflecting a growing recognition of the role these programs play in supporting youth, families, and communities.
Denver, CO – MySpark and Youthworks | Population 715,000
Mayor Johnston’s administration offers stipends for youth to join high-quality summer and extracurricular programs, while also supporting youth employment and skill development.
In Denver, city leadership supports K-12 education by focusing on creating supportive, productive environments for youth outside of the classroom. This approach is grounded in the recognition that student success is closely tied to their basic needs being met, and that many challenges faced in schools stem from external environmental factors. As such, the city has prioritized expanding OST opportunities as a key strategy to support youth development and academic success.
One of the most pressing challenges Denver schools face is chronic absenteeism—nearly one-third of public-school students are chronically absent. Research shows that connecting youth to OST programs can help address this issue by boosting both attendance and graduation rates. These programs offer structured, engaging experiences that keep young people connected, motivated, and supported beyond the school day.
A key initiative in this effort is the public and privately funded MySpark program, which provides eligible youth with a $1,000 stipend to enroll in one or more of over 200 summer and extracurricular programs. These options include physical activities like martial arts and dance, as well as academic enrichment such as coding and tutoring, allowing youth to choose opportunities that align with their interests and passions.
Another complementary initiative is the Mayor’s YouthWorks program, which incentivizes summer employment by awarding stipends to youth who complete a designated number of work hours. Last year, the program distributed $1,000 debit cards to 670 participants and plans to expand further by providing $500 stipends to an even larger group this year.
These OST programs, championed by the city’s leadership and supported by the Office of Children’s Affairs, provide a wide range of benefits. By encouraging youth to engage in meaningful activities during the summer, these initiatives help build practical skills, support emotional and academic growth, and prepare students to return to school ready to succeed. Ultimately, these efforts strengthen Denver’s K-12 system by tackling absenteeism and expanding opportunities for youth citywide.