Our Impact

The impact that After School Matters can have on teens starts in their day-to-day lives, helps them achieve success during their high school years and empowers them to dream big as they find their futures.

On High School

• Freshmen On-Track: Students on-track at the end of their freshman year are 3.5 times more likely to graduate high school in four years than off-track students. Over the past four years, After School Matters’ Freshmen, On-Track rate has risen from 79 to 91 percent, four percentage points higher than teens who do not participate in programs. Freshman On-Track is a better predictor of graduation than race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and 8th-grade test scores.
• High School Attendance: A study by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago found that our teens had fewer school day absences than their peers (7.5 days missed vs. 9.6) after controlling for demographic characteristics and school attachment.
• High School Graduation: 92% of our high school seniors recently graduated, while the statewide graduation rate for low-income students is 79.9%. Further, a study by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago found that teens in our programs were 2.7 times more likely to graduate high school than their peers who did not participate, even after controlling for demographic characteristics and prior achievement.
• Retention: Students who participate in more After School Matters programs experience more successful outcomes.

Beyond High School

College Enrollment and Persistence: 66.1% of After School Matters 12th graders had enrolled in college by the fall following their graduation, compared to 58.1% of school-based peers.

On Life

While metrics and data speak volumes, the impact on a teen can be measured in many different ways.

Sample Teen Survey Results: 

Teen Quotes:

• “My program taught me to never quit on myself. It made me more focused and disciplined. Now I don’t walk away from anything without giving 100%.” – Ciara, 16, Hyde Park
• “After School Matters has given me ideas on how I can be a Latina who achieves and attends an Ivy League college.” – Karla, 14, Pilsen
• “I live in a minority neighborhood where violence is the only way to survive. After School Matters gave me a chance to get off those streets and do something positive.” – Terrika, 17, Austin