Many children grimace at the thought of school, especially when they think about the academic side of things. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that spending additional time there through after-school programs isn’t appealing to all students. But, as explained by both Mark Emery, administrator of Middle School After-School Programs for Fairfax County Public Schools, and Mimsy Stirn, director of Auxiliary Programs at the Potomac School, after-school programs have far more to offer than just extra education time.
Emery says that the county offers a broad spectrum of after-school activities that address not only academics, but also physical fitness and health, among a handful of other topics. Although some Fairfax programs do require a small fee, most are sponsored by a partnership between the county government and the school system, allowing students of all ages, from elementary to high school, to participate.
“Our data shows that a child who attends after-school programs has an improvement in grades, relationships with fellow students, relationships with teachers,” Emery said. “They become more connected to the school, develop leadership skills and reduce high-risk behaviors across the board.”
These statements are supported by the 2016-2017 Fairfax County Youth Survey of eighth-, 10th– and 12th-graders, which found that participating in extracurricular activities and community service were associated with a lower percentage of risky behavior.
Stirn, who says some children may need down time at home, also encourages students to participate in after-school programs due to its many benefits.
“It’s a community builder because students get to know other students who may not be the same age as them,” Stirn says. “It provides a new outlet for them that they may not get to explore during the day in the classroom.”
In addition to these positive social effects, after-school programs, unsurprisingly, have a lot to offer scholastically as well. Emery mentions that when students complete homework after-school, they have more time to interact with their family when they go home. Plus, personalized assistance from teachers after hours allows students extra time to learn a lesson they may have not understood during the day.
The Potomac School, an independent K-12 preparatory school in McLean, has teachers who are passionate about certain after-school programs lead them, even if the program they are leading does not align with the subject they teach during school hours. This allows students to get to know their teacher in a different setting, teaching a different subject.
“The cores of these programs are enrichment activities, such as science, math and art classes, that allow students to challenge themselves without fear of failure or without fear of consequence. This is a fun learning experience that builds on the richness of what education is all about,” Emery explains.
