Discover the Best After Care School Programs for Your Child

Finding the right after care school program is crucial for working parents and ensuring children continue to thrive academically and personally beyond the regular school day. DC Public Schools (DCPS) Out of School Time Programs (OSTP) offer enriching after care programs designed to support students’ holistic development. Funded by DCPS and a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, these programs provide a safe, engaging, and beneficial environment for students after the school bell rings.

In the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, OSTP will manage After Care School Programs in 55 schools across the district. To find out if your child’s school participates in the OSTP initiative, you can check the list of OSTP served schools. Even if your school is not directly part of the OSTP network, it’s worth inquiring about other after care options they might offer. Contact your school directly to explore all available possibilities for your child’s after school care.

Key Information for Enrolling in After Care School Programs

Registration for after care school programs is an important step for parents planning for the upcoming school year. Here’s what you need to know to ensure a smooth enrollment process:

Online Registration: For the most convenient registration experience, OSTP after care programs utilize an online registration system. This is accessible to parents once their child’s enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is complete.
Registration Start Date: Mark your calendars! After care registration opens on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 12 noon. Be ready to register promptly through the designated website: dcps.dc.gov/asp.
Grade Eligibility: Confirm that your child’s grade level is eligible for OSTP programs by consulting this comprehensive list. This will help you determine if OSTP is the right after care solution for your child.
Device Accessibility: The online registration system is designed to be user-friendly and accessible across various devices, including cell phones, computers, and tablets. If you lack access to these devices at home, computer resources are available at your child’s school. Contact the school to arrange a time for on-site registration assistance. Additionally, DC Public Libraries offer computers for public use, providing another accessible option for online registration.
Join the OSTP Team: Are you passionate about education and working with children? OSTP is actively recruiting enthusiastic individuals for various roles, including after care program teachers, paraprofessionals, and site leaders. If you’re interested in making a difference in students’ lives, explore job opportunities and apply here.

What Benefits Do After Care School Programs Provide?

After care school programs are more than just supervision; they are structured environments designed to enhance a child’s overall development. OSTP programs offer a balanced schedule that includes:

Dedicated Academic Support: Each day incorporates an hour of academic assistance, with approximately 20 minutes specifically allocated to homework help. This ensures students receive the support they need to succeed academically.
Nutritious Meals: Recognizing the importance of nutrition, after care programs provide a free supper or snack to all participating students. This ensures children are well-nourished and ready to engage in afternoon activities.
Enrichment Activities: A significant portion of the program, 60-90 minutes, is dedicated to enrichment activities. These diverse activities cover a wide range of themes, including character development, fostering gratitude and friendship, anti-bullying initiatives, physical fitness, arts exploration, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. These activities are facilitated by both DCPS staff and partner organizations, offering a rich and varied experience. The specific enrichment offerings will evolve throughout the school year and may differ from school to school, ensuring programs remain dynamic and engaging.

Research consistently demonstrates the positive impact of high-quality after care programming. Participation in these programs is linked to improved school attendance, enhanced academic performance, and more positive attitudes towards learning. Studies show that students who attend after care programs for at least two and a half hours daily can gain the equivalent of nearly two additional months of learning time. This underscores the significant academic advantages of enrolling your child in an after care school program.

After Care Program Hours: What to Expect

OSTP after care programs begin immediately after the regular school day concludes and operate until 6:00 pm every full school day. It’s always advisable to confirm the exact schedule with your child’s school, as slight variations may occur based on specific school needs or circumstances.

Grade Levels Served by After Care Programs

OSTP programs are designed to cater to a wide age range. Elementary schools typically offer programs for students from Pre-Kindergarten 3 (PK3) through grade 5. Education campuses often extend this to include students up to grade 8, starting from PK3. River Terrace stands out by offering after care programs for all grade levels.

Many schools also collaborate with School Program Providers to further expand after care options. These partnerships can introduce both fee-based and free programs, increasing the number of available after care slots. Therefore, the specific grade levels served by OSTP programs can vary at each location. To determine the exact after care services available for your student’s grade, it’s best to contact your school directly. A list of known providers for the 55 OSTP schools is available to help you in your search: 55 schools.

Step-by-Step Guide to Registering Your Child for After Care

Enrolling your child in an after care school program is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to complete registration successfully:

Complete School Enrollment First: Ensure your child is fully enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. After care program registration is contingent upon completed school enrollment. School enrollment is currently open and can be done at your school or online at enrolldcps.dc.gov.
Obtain Your Child’s Student ID: Locate your child’s student ID number. This can be found on school documents or obtained from the school registrar. While having the student ID number simplifies the after care registration process, it is not mandatory.
Access the Online Registration Portal: Use a phone, tablet, or computer to visit the after care registration website: dcps.dc.gov/asp.
Confirmation Emails: Upon submitting your child’s after care registration, you will initially receive an email confirming receipt of your application. Within 48 hours (two days), a second email will be sent to inform you whether your child has been granted a seat in the program or placed on a waitlist. After the initial registration week (June 6 – June 13, 2024), OSTP will streamline communication to a single confirmation email detailing your child’s seat status or waitlist placement. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is advisable.
Enrollment Confirmation is Essential: It’s crucial to note that no child can begin attending the after care program until their enrollment is officially confirmed. Ensure you have received and reviewed your confirmation email before planning for program attendance.

Troubleshooting Enrollment Issues for OSTP After Care

Encountering difficulties during the after care enrollment process? Here are some helpful steps to take:

Verify School Participation: Double-check the list of 55 schools to confirm if your child’s school is an OSTP site or if it partners with another after care provider for your child’s grade level. If an alternative provider is listed, you may need to register directly with that organization instead of OSTP.
Seek Direct Assistance: If you continue to experience enrollment challenges, contact your school registrar for guidance. Alternatively, reach out to the OSTP team directly at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 442-5002. The OSTP team is available to provide support and resolve any registration issues.

Understanding the After Care Waitlist Process

After care programs often operate at full capacity, and waitlists are sometimes necessary. Here’s how the OSTP waitlist works:

First-Come, First-Served Waitlist: When an after care program reaches its enrollment limit, students are placed on a waitlist based on the date and time of their registration.
Waitlist Movement: Students are moved off the waitlist and offered seats as space becomes available within their specific grade group. For instance, a kindergarten waitlist spot opens only when a current kindergartener leaves the program.
Continuous Monitoring: OSTP actively monitors program attendance and will contact families on the waitlist as soon as a seat opens for their child’s grade level. The school’s OSTP Coordinator will be your point of contact when a seat becomes available.
Waitlist Duration: While OSTP and school administrators strive to accommodate as many students as possible, it’s possible for a child to remain on the waitlist for the entire school year if no openings arise in their grade group.
Efforts to Expand Capacity: DCPS and OSTP are committed to addressing the high demand for after care by continuously seeking partnerships with additional after care program providers. The goal is to expand program capacity and serve more students. However, the demand for after care often exceeds the available resources, a common challenge faced by after care programs both in DC and across the nation.

Is There a Cost for After Care School Programs?

A significant benefit of OSTP after care programs is that they are offered free of charge. There are no program fees for participating families. However, it’s important to note that some schools partner with other after care providers who may charge fees for their programs. The list of 55 schools indicates known providers, and whether they charge fees, can vary. It’s always best to confirm fee information directly with the specific program provider at your child’s school if it’s not an OSTP program.

Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance

OSTP after care programs are committed to maintaining high standards and continuous improvement. The program is partially funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant (21CCLC) from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). To ensure accountability and program effectiveness, an annual evaluation report is conducted.

The “Afterschool End of Year Evaluation Report” for the SY22-23 21CCLC program outlines the objectives set by OSSE and DCPS and assesses the program’s success in meeting these goals during the 2022-2023 school year. This report provides valuable insights into the 21CCLC grant, program demographics, key findings from external evaluators, program strengths, and areas targeted for improvement in the SY23-24 program year. For any questions regarding the program evaluation, please contact [email protected].

Contact Information for After Care Program Inquiries

For any questions or further information regarding after care school programs, please do not hesitate to contact the Out of School Time Programs team directly:

Phone: (202) 442-5002
Email: [email protected]