Tips For Increasing Enrollment in Your After School Program

California currently has the capacity to serve 400,000 children with state and federally funded after school programs.  Our hope is that every program reaches its enrollment target.  What can you do to help make this happen?

• Offer an exemplary program that young people will want to attend. 
• If Program Directors need help, reach out to Regional Leads and CDE Consultants.
• Send fliers home with students, place an article in the school newsletter, and utilize the school’s automated telephone message system announcing that there are openings in the program and how parents can enroll their child.
• Put up posters around the school and the community advertising the program.
• Hold an open house so that parents and students can see your program in action.
• Let parents, teachers and principals know about the academic enrichment component of the program.  This may be of added benefit to some students not already participating in the program.
• Make certain that the teachers at your school know that they can refer students to the after school program.  Meet individually with teachers and ask if they have particular students that would benefit from the program.  Give the teachers a registration form and ask them to write a personal note and send it home with the student.
• Ask the school Principal for ideas on increasing enrollment.
• Make presentations at staff meetings, PTA meetings, and other gatherings.
• Set up informational tables at all school functions.
• Have a strong presence at community events.
• Ask current enrollees to share the news about your program with their friends.  Happy participants are your best recruiters.
• Get the word out that your after school program is the place to be