"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

Quality after-school programs in Denver Public Schools improve school attendance, positively affect academic performance, and decrease dropout rates for students who participate.

The Denver Lights On After School (LOAS) partnership (among the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Foundation, Mile High United Way, and the City and County of Denver) provides funding to ensure that these quality, school-based after-school programs are sustained, and that our students are engaged, safe and enriching their learning experience in the critical 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. hours. These programs provide a tremendous service for DPS students, families, and communities throughout Denver.

Grants 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
college-prep classes
mariachi band
math tutoring
and much more!

Help us provide after-school enrichment programs for Denver’s students!

Gifts of $100 or more designated for after-school programs may be eligible for a 50% Colorado state income tax credit. Due to a recent change in state law, the credit will be deferred (but not eliminated) for all gifts made in calendar year 2011. Click here for full details.

>> Make a tax-deductible gift today!