New Report: Every Child, Every Neighborhood, Out-of-School Time (OST) Access in Philadelphia
Posted by Research for Action on October 6, 2026
Before school, afterschool, and summer programs—known together as out-of-school time, or OST—help children stay safe, build friendships, and stay on track in school. Research links high-quality OST programs to stronger social and emotional skills, better school attendance, higher graduation and college-going rates, and fewer risky behaviors.
But too many families who want an OST program cannot find one that is affordable, available, or the right fit—and that shortage falls hardest on historically under-resourced communities, widening educational opportunity gaps that already exist.
This report, funded by the William Penn Foundation, is the most complete picture yet of where OST programs exist for children from Pre-K through grade 8 in Philadelphia, where they fall short, and who is missing out. It draws on 18 datasets estimated to cover 79–91% of the city’s regularly scheduled (4–5 day/week) OST programs.
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