Learning Beyond the School Year

By the Afterschool Alliance, Aspire Afterschool Learning, and the National Summer Learning Association

“I love summer memories!” – Student

Summer is a critical time for young people. During these months when they are not in school, they can explore new opportunities, interests, and passions, as well as reinforce their learning to start the next school year off strong. Or, these can be months during which students and families struggle to find accessible, affordable, high-quality summer programs. That’s why the Afterschool Alliance, Aspire Afterschool Learning, and the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) have come together around our shared mission to support out-of-school time learning opportunities to share the need and impact, as well as to lift up the voices of students who participate in summer learning. 

To start, why is summer programming so important for all of our organizations?

Afterschool Alliance: Afterschool and summer learning programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and give working parents peace of mind. They help children grow and reach their full potential, offering new enrichment and learning opportunities that help students do better in school and in life.

Aspire: At Aspire, we work to make sure that historically underserved students can fulfill their potential through no-cost learning programs, transforming afterschool and summertime into a comprehensive, holistic launchpad preparing students to succeed academically, thrive personally, and build the skills needed for future success. Our summer program addresses the “summer slide,” a decline in academic skills over the summer break that disproportionately affects low-income students, contributing significantly to the long-term educational opportunity gap. While the average student loses about a month of learning, low-income students can lose up to three months, largely due to unequal access to summer programs.

NSLA: The National Summer Learning Association believes all of America’s students, regardless of background, income, or zip code, should have access to and benefit from high-quality summer learning experiences every year. NSLA works to combat summer learning loss and close the opportunity gap which research shows grows most dramatically between lower and higher income students over the summer months.

Why are High-Quality Summer Programs Important and Impactful?

Summer programs play a vital role in supporting children, families, and communities by providing safe, structured opportunities that combine academics with enrichment, recreation, and career exploration. Far more than simply filling the gap between school years, high-quality summer learning programs help students strengthen skills in reading, math, and STEM while also promoting physical activity, social-emotional development, and workforce readiness. For working families, these programs provide reliable childcare, while for communities they help address broader challenges such as childhood hunger, juvenile crime, and youth mental health. Research consistently demonstrates that summer learning is a high-return investment, with decades of evidence showing both immediate and long-term benefits for student achievement and well-being.

The impact of summer programs extends beyond academic gains. They create opportunities for innovation through partnerships among schools, nonprofits, museums, colleges, and community organizations, allowing students to learn in diverse, engaging environments. Summer programs also serve as a pipeline for developing future educators and professionals by providing hands-on training and internship opportunities. Most importantly, they open doors for young people whose families may not otherwise be able to afford these experiences. While millions of children participate in summer programs each year, access remains unequal, with lower-income students significantly less likely to benefit. Continued public investment is essential to expanding these opportunities, ensuring every child has the chance to learn, grow, and build the skills needed for success in school, careers, and life.

What is the Need for High-Quality Summer Programs?

The parents of 24.6 million children want structured summer experiences, such as a summer enrichment or sports program, summer camp, summer school, or a job or internship, for their child. Unfortunately, roughly half of these children (51%)—or 1 in 2 children whose parents want summer programs for them—are being left out. 

The Afterschool Alliance’s report, The Summer Struggle (aa3pm.co), finds that among the challenges to summer program enrollment, program cost is the top barrier families face. Nearly 4 in 10 families (38%) whose children are not in a structured summer experience cite cost as a factor influencing their inability to enroll their child. Other barriers to summer program participation include issues with location or transportation (18%), followed by roughly 1 in 10 parents reporting information on programs is not easy to find (13%), summer programs are not available in their community (13%), program hours do not meet their needs (13%), or there are no spaces available in programs (10%).

Public funding is critical to closing these gaps. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding stream dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs. According to the most recent U.S. Department of Education annual report on 21st CCLC programs, of the 1.4 million students served by 21st CCLC, more than 780,000 in grades K through 12 attend summer learning programs, and more than 37,000 family members are served. Students attending 21st CCLC summer programs make gains in their math, reading, and language arts assessments, and teachers report that students improve their engagement in learning. 

What do Students Have to Say?

In May, four students from Aspire bravely spoke at the Senate Afterschool Caucus briefing to share the impact Aspire’s afterschool and summer programming has had on them. One student shared:

“Good afternoon, my name is Keilly.

I am 11 years old.

I am finishing 5th grade at Claremont Immersion school and I will be in 6th grade next year.

I have attended Aspire Afterschool Learning for 4 years.

If I couldn’t come to a program like Aspire, I would be home and I’d probably forget about homework that is due to the next day. Because I get to go to Aspire, I’m safe everyday after school, my parents can work and not worry about me getting lost, and I also learn a lot.

If I come to Aspire, the teachers help me do my homework, they check to see if I have important things to do. If I need help with my homework, the teachers help me because my parents usually can’t help me because they are at work. Sometimes I have math questions my parents can’t even answer. In Aspire we have nice teachers like Ms. Kenly and she helps us remember to do our homework, if we need help. She is really attentive with us and helps us with what we need.

Because I have been able to go to a program like Aspire, when I grow up I want to be a lawyer and a fire fighter – a lawyer in case Aspire gets sued, I will help them win the case and a firefighter because then if Aspire has a fire then I can save the day.”

All of our organizations are committed to centering and uplifting the voices of young people in all that we do, and we’re proud to highlight their perspectives. Hear all of the students speak in the video below.

Why are Partnerships and Community Important in this Work?

Afterschool Alliance: Every summer, students participate in structured summer activities offered by a variety of community partners, including specialty camps or programs, such as arts, drama, sports, religious or STEM camps or programs, and voluntary learning and enrichment summer programs held at community-based organizations, schools, city or town facilities, museums, libraries, and colleges or universities. Summer learning providers forge partnerships with local businesses and local governments as well—in fact, the typical 21st CCLC-funded program has an average of six community partners. Partnerships and community involvement increase the number and variety of opportunities offered to students and allow for new experiences and field trips for young people.

Aspire: Closing the educational opportunity gap is a huge effort, and requires the work of many organizations and people. This includes everyone from partners who come in to lead sessions on their specific areas of expertise and schools that share the areas where they see students needing more support to community members who volunteer to work with students and the families and students themselves! None of this work happens in a vacuum, and our programs and community are strengthened when we can find ways to work together and better serve these students.

NSLA: Partnerships allow communities to leverage shared resources, reach students in settings beyond the classroom, and create innovative learning opportunities tailored to local needs. By working together, partners can strengthen program quality, increase access for underserved youth, and maximize the impact of public investments in summer learning.

How Can You Support Summer Opportunities?

Afterschool Alliance: You too can make your voice heard. Now is an optimal time for you to take action and reach out to your senators and representative to let them know the value of local afterschool and summer learning programs. 

Aspire: As students participate in our full-day, no-cost summer learning camp, you can make a donation, support our supply wishlist, or sign up to attend one of our upcoming community events! The Aspire student Rock Band, the Black Ribbons, will be performing on July 26th and 29th, and we’d love to see you there!

NSLA: Celebrate National Summer Learning Week July 6-10, to promote the importance of your local summer programs. Summer Learning Week brings together summer programs, educators, community leaders, and policymakers to help communities raise awareness about the importance of summer learning and celebrate the programs making a difference. Explore DiscoverSummer.org to find summer programs across the nation and enjoy free summer learning resources.