Start an Afterschool Program

In Missouri

For every 1 student in afterschool programming, 3 students are waiting to get in

In Missouri

85% of parents are satisfied with the quality of care in their child’s afterschool program

In Missouri

89% of parents overwhelmingly support public funding for afterschool

In Missouri

In 2019, 229,957 youth would have been enrolled in a summer program if one were available

In Missouri

74% of parents report that their child’s afterschool program offers STEM learning opportunities

In Missouri

96% parent satisfaction with afterschool programs is high!

In Missouri

Parents report that afterschool programs are not available in their community

Our vision is that high-quality, sustainable afterschool programs are accessible to all school-age children and youth in Missouri.

Interested in launching an afterschool program in your community? We’re here to help you get started with guidance, tools, and connections.

Thanks to Beyond School Bells, Nebraska’s statewide afterschool network, a detailed Afterschool Program Starter Toolkit is available online to walk you through every step of the process.

You can also explore the Beyond the Bell Toolkit from the American Institutes for Research (AIR)—a nationally recognized resource designed to support high-quality programming.

Another valuable resource comes from Illinois’ ACT Now Coalition, offering a step-by-step guide for learning, planning, and growing your afterschool initiative.

Each year, MASN hosts a special Beyond the Bell Toolkit training to dive deeper into how the toolkit can support your goals.

Tip: One of the most important early steps is building relationships—start conversations with your local school district and community partners (like YMCAs, churches, or Boys & Girls Clubs) to identify shared needs and opportunities.

Have questions or need help getting started? Contact us—we’re here to support you every step of the way.