"My mom can’t pick me up at 2:45 when school’s out so I had to pick some clubs to keep me busy and make sure I wasn’t getting into trouble. I picked MESA and now I am learning math and science that is really fun."

- Zoe, student, Morey Middle School

after-school & summer Programs

Lights on After School

While high school students have many clubs, sports, and other activities to choose from, the Lights on After School program ensures that younger students also have access to a wide range of enrichment activities after-school.

Lights on After School is a partnership among the DPS Foundation, the City and County of Denver and Mile High United Way to fund quality after-school programs for students in Denver Public Schools.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to DPS elementary and middle schools to create a variety of after-school offerings for their students. Much of the programming is provided by community organizations. Programs blend athletics, arts, academics, tutoring, leadership development and technology.

More than 300 different after-school activities take place in Denver Public Schools every day, benefiting more than 11,000 students.

National research demonstrates that after-school programs are a crucial support system for today’s youth – providing constructive activities, supervision and safety in the after-school hours.

A study of the Lights on After School program in DPS, conducted by JVA Consulting, reported that:

Elementary school participants in the Lights on After School program had higher reading CSAP scores, and middle school participants had higher writing CSAP scores compared to non-participants.
Participating in the after-school programs resulted in higher regular school-day attendance for both elementary and middle school participants.

Through Lights on After School programs, students have the opportunity to try a wide range of activities including:

art classes
chess club
ballet
computer classes
photography
foreign language courses
rocket club
mariachi band
math tutoring
and much more!

Help us provide after-school enrichment programs for Denver’s students! >> Make a tax-deductible gift today!

Donations of $100 or more toward DPS after-school programs, qualify for a 50% tax credit through the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit. Learn more!