New Data from America After 3pm is here!
The 2025 results from this nationwide survey make one thing clear: families across the country—regardless of whether they live in rural, suburban, or urban communities, in a coastal state, or in the middle of the country—continue to want afterschool programs for their children. Yet much of that demand remains unmet: more than 3 in 4 children whose parents want them in an afterschool program are missing out.
Providing national and state findings, America After 3PM 2025 reflects data collected by Edge Research from more than 30,000 parents and guardians and provides a comprehensive exploration into afterschool program demand, barriers to participation, parental perceptions of afterschool programs, and parents’ views on afterschool programs.
- Demand for afterschool programs is enormous.
Of the nearly 30 million youth whose parents want afterschool programs, more than 3 in 4 are missing out. That’s 22.6 million children whose parents would enroll them if a program were available.
- Parents recognize the benefits for kids—safety, skills, and school engagement—plus peace of mind for working parents.
Parent satisfaction has reached the highest level ever, with 95% of parents satisfied with their child’s afterschool program, and parents cite broad benefits, from keeping kids safe to improving school attendance. And 4 in 5 parents say having afterschool programs helps them keep their jobs.
- Program affordability, accessibility, and availability limit participation in afterschool.
Affordability is the greatest barrier for families who do not have a child in an afterschool program. Accessibility and program availability follow.
- Low- and middle-income families struggle the most.
Low- and middle-income families face the most significant barriers to accessing afterschool programs, with higher-income children more likely to be in programs. Families in the highest income bracket spend approximately 9 times more on out-of-school time activities than families in the lowest income bracket.
- 89% of parents support public funding for afterschool opportunities.
Support for funding afterschool opportunities has increased and is high across political affiliations, with 93% of parents who are Democrats, 89% who are Independents, and 87% who are Republicans in favor.
Maine Specific Report
