What is Out-of-School Time?
Out-of-school time, or the time youth spend outside of school, serves as a great opportunity for youth to explore, learn, and grow. After-school and summer learning experiences play an important role in helping young people thrive.Research shows that children and youth who take part in quality after-school or summer programs:
- Attend school more often
- Do better in school
- Exhibit fewer behavior challenges
- Increase their physical activity
- Develop more self-confidence
- Build leadership and teamwork skills
- Strengthen awareness of themselves and others
- Cultivate positive relationships with other youth and adults
Start exploring with Sprockets.
Sprockets is Saint Paul's out-of-school time network that connects young people in Saint Paul to high-quality after-school and summer programs through our Program Finder. Whether you are looking for homework help, arts-based activities, sports, college and career support and/or youth leadership opportunities, check out the Sprockets Program Finder and start exploring.
Make sure its quality.
Find a youth program you like? Make sure its high quality!
Research reveals that it’s better for youth to do nothing at all than to participate in low-quality programs. Use our Parent Guide (available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali) to help you identify quality programs for the young people in your life.