Washington, D.C. – Unmet demand for afterschool programs among Black families in the United States has reached an all-time high. The parents of nearly 5.7 million Black children report they would like to enroll their child, but just 1.3 million Black children are currently enrolled. That means three in four Black children whose parents want an afterschool program for them (76%) are missing out – the highest level of unmet demand among Black families since the America After 3PM study began in 2004.
Those are among the findings from a household survey commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance, conducted by Edge Research and released today. America After 3PM for Black Families also finds that 95% of Black parents with a child in an afterschool program are satisfied with the program, with 86% rating its quality as excellent or very good. More than nine in ten Black parents (92%) favor public funding for afterschool programs – an even higher percentage than among parents overall.
The barriers to enrollment for many Black parents are cost, no safe way to get children to and from programs, inconvenient locations and hours, long waiting lists, and a lack of programs in their communities. As is the case with White and Hispanic families, Black families with higher incomes are more likely to be able to enroll their children in afterschool programs than Black families with lower incomes (for Black families, 22% vs. just 12% are enrolled). The average cost Black parents report paying for their child’s afterschool program is $120.30 per week.
“These findings are profoundly disturbing. We are missing a vitally important opportunity to keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and giving working parents peace of mind that their children are safe, supervised, and learning after the school day ends,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “We can overcome these barriers with greater investments in afterschool programs from federal, state, and local governments, businesses and philanthropy – and we must. Our country will be stronger and more successful when all children can take advantage of the many supports afterschool programs offer. Every child deserves access to a quality afterschool program.”
The Trump Administration has recommended defunding 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the chief federal funding stream for afterschool and summer learning programs, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Congress has yet to finalize the FY2026 budget.
Other findings from America After 3PM for Black Families:
- 87% of Black parents agree that afterschool programs allow kids to develop social skills and the ability to make responsible decisions, 85% agree they allow kids to develop positive relationships with other students; and 80% agree they allow kids to form meaningful relationships with caring staff.
- 86% say they provide time for fun and educational activities and less time on their phones and other screens.
- 81% say afterschool program participation helps children become more excited about learning, and also that they help kids develop interests and skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
- 79% agree afterschool programs reduce the likelihood that youth will engage in risky behaviors, and also that they keep kids safe and out of trouble. Even more (82%) say they support children’s mental health and well-being.
- 83% say afterschool programs help working parents keep their jobs.
- Most Black parents with a child in an afterschool program are happy with the activities and supports provided, including helping their child build their confidence (87%) and develop communication, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills (87%).
America After 3PM is based on a survey of 30,515 U.S. parents or guardians with a school-aged child living in their household, including 4,377 Black households. It was conducted in English and Spanish using a mixed-mode methodology to reach as many households as possible. Data were collected between January 31 and April 21, 2025. The margin of error for the child- and household-level data is +/- 1.48%. Previous America After 3PM surveys were conducted in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2020.
