Arizona Afterschool Programs

Milo stands proudly in front of Arizona’s outline, with icons of a cactus, sun, and school—dressed in a rust polo and khakis.
Milo stands proudly in front of Arizona’s outline, with icons of a cactus, sun, and school—dressed in a rust polo and khakis.

Afterschool and out-of-school time (OST) programs in Arizona serve approximately 185,700 students annually, providing critical support for working families and enriching learning opportunities for youth. Despite this reach, an estimated 252,500 children remain without access to afterschool programs, highlighting a significant unmet demand. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative, funded under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, plays a pivotal role in Arizona's OST landscape, offering academic enrichment and youth development activities to students, particularly those from high-poverty and low-performing schools.

Arizona's afterschool programs focus on academic support, equity, enrichment, social-emotional learning (SEL), and college and career readiness. These programs are especially vital for students in rural and underserved communities, including tribal areas, providing access to quality learning experiences and supportive environments. Statewide coordination efforts aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of OST programs across the state.

Arizona Afterschool Impact

Afterschool programs in Arizona contribute significantly to student development, offering safe and engaging environments that promote academic success, personal growth, and future readiness. By addressing the needs of underserved populations and fostering community partnerships, these programs play a crucial role in supporting the well-being and achievement of Arizona's youth.

📚 Academic Outcomes

Participants in Arizona's 21st CCLC programs have demonstrated improvements in homework completion and class participation, contributing to enhanced academic performance.

🏫 Attendance & Engagement

Afterschool programs have been associated with improved school-day attendance and increased student engagement, fostering a positive connection to learning.

🧠 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Through SEL frameworks and supportive practices, Arizona's OST programs help students develop emotional regulation, resilience, and strong peer relationships.

🎓 College & Career Readiness

Initiatives within afterschool programs provide students with exposure to college and career pathways, including leadership development and mentoring opportunities.

Sources: Afterschool Alliance and Arizona Department of Education

Metro

Phoenix, Tucson, and tribal communities partner with AzCASE and city youth services for OST coordination.

Rural

OST is delivered through schools, libraries, and tribal centers with blended academic and cultural programming.

Federal Funding

21st CCLC funds support Title I school programs through the Arizona Department of Education.

State Funding

Arizona uses ARPA and local match funding to support re-engagement and extended learning services.

All Funding Sources

  • 21st CCLC
  • ARPA/ESSER
  • Foundations
  • Local districts
  • Parent fees (limited)

Family Involvement

Contact your school or city youth office for free or subsidized programs.

Partner Involvement

Apply through ADE or partner with tribal or school OST providers.

Arizona Afterschool Resources

Related Arizona MindWorks Pages

See the following MindWorks pages for information about states, organizations, or products that may be relevant to Arizona.

States

  • New Mexico – Shares OST goals around serving tribal, rural, and bilingual communities with culturally responsive programming.
  • Texas – Border-state peer with similar demographic diversity and OST strategies in high-need areas.
  • Nevada – Regional similarities in OST infrastructure, urban-rural balance, and enrichment focus.
  • California – Offers scalable models and federal/state funding approaches relevant for Arizona’s OST providers.
  • Colorado – Western peer state with OST innovations and tribal support frameworks applicable in Arizona.

Organizations

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) – Arizona has one of the highest concentrations of BIA-supported OST programs for Native youth.
  • 4-H – Operates strong OST programs statewide through university extension and tribal partnerships.
  • Afterschool Alliance – Supports Arizona OST policy, data, and Lights On Afterschool participation.