According to the Afterschool Alliance, for every child in an afterschool program in California, three more are waiting to get in. This demonstrates the critical need for programs like the After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) program, which provides a safe and supportive environment for high school students during the vulnerable hours after school. Beyond simply offering a safe space, ASSETs programs provide academic support, enrichment activities, and family literacy services designed to help teens thrive. While primarily operating after school, these programs can also offer activities before school, on weekends, and during breaks. This flexibility ensures consistent support for students throughout the year, maximizing their opportunities for engagement and growth.
How ASSETS Programs Are Funded & Built
Funded by the California Department of Education through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, ASSETs programs complement students’ regular academic programs and support college and career readiness. This funding helps schools create more programs and activities that better serve their students’ different needs.
The Three Pillars of ASSETS Success
Every ASSETs program is built on three core components, each designed to contribute to student success.
Academic Assistance
Provides personalized tutoring and homework help, test preparation (including support for the California High School Exit Exam), and strategies to improve academic performance. This targeted support helps students stay on track with their studies, build confidence in their abilities, and create skills for future academic success. Students who participate tend to do better in school, are more likely to graduate, and have a better chance of going to college - which makes both schools and administrators look good.
Educational Enrichment
Encompasses arts and crafts programs, music activities, sports and physical activities, and various other extracurricular opportunities. These activities help students explore new interests and discover talents they didn’t know they had. Plus, when students are engaged in fun activities, they’re more likely to stay out of trouble and help create a better school environment.
Family Literacy Services
Helps the whole family get involved in learning through workshops, classes, and tutoring programs. Parents learn new ways to support their kids’ education and create better learning spaces at home. When families feel confident helping with schoolwork, they tend to get more involved in school activities, which creates stronger bonds between schools and their communities.
Proven Results: ASSETs Make a Difference
The numbers show just how well ASSETs programs work. Students who participate show up to school more often, are more engaged in their classes, get better grades, and are more likely to move up to the next grade level. This success is both good for the students and is a huge win for school administrators as well. Higher attendance rates, for instance, can translate into increased funding for schools, while improved academic performance can reduce the need for costly interventions. These programs also help keep kids safe during the after-school hours when they might otherwise get into trouble. In fact, when researchers looked at 12 high-risk communities in California, they found something remarkable: among students in these programs, vandalism and theft dropped by two-thirds, and there were far fewer incidents of violence and weapons at school. This not only keeps students and staff safer but helps build trust between schools and their communities.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening ASSETS for the Future
Despite their success, ASSETs programs face some real challenges. Finding reliable, long-term funding is one of the biggest hurdles. Schools can tackle this by teaming up with local businesses and community groups, applying for grants from organizations like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, or working with foundations that care about after-school programs. Another big challenge is keeping enough staff on board. To keep good staff members and attract new ones, schools need to offer fair pay and benefits, chances to grow professionally, and create a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Making sure all students can actually get to and use these programs is crucial - especially for kids in rural areas or those facing other challenges. This means helping with transportation when needed, scheduling programs at times that work for families, and creating activities that work for students with different needs and interests.
Looking ahead, the demand for after-school programs like ASSETs is expected to continue to grow. To meet the evolving needs of students, programs will need to adapt by incorporating more STEM activities, providing support for social-emotional learning, and integrating technology into program activities and management. By staying flexible and adapting to what students and communities need, ASSETs programs can continue to help California’s students grow - not just in their education, but as whole people.
Investing in California’s Teens Through ASSETS
California’s investment in ASSETs programs is making a real difference in teenagers’ lives. These programs give students a safe place to learn, grow, and prepare for their futures while getting the academic help they need to succeed. As we look ahead, supporting and improving these programs will be crucial to help even more California teens reach their full potential and make positive contributions to their communities.
