Are You Asking the Right Questions? A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Best After-School Program

Choosing the right after-school program is a crucial decision that impacts your child’s academic success, personal development, and emotional well-being. As dedicated parents, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure the program provides the academic support, structured learning environment, and social-emotional growth your child needs.

Here are 11 key questions to consider—along with what to look for in the answers.

What to Look For: The program should hold a valid City Business License and, if required, be licensed by the Department of Education. Proper licensing ensures compliance with safety regulations, curriculum standards, and professional guidelines.

What to Look For: If transportation is provided, verify that the program has Commercial Auto Insurance and follows strict safety protocols to protect your child.

What to Look For: Programs should provide age-appropriate instruction with small, focused groups to ensure personalized attention and effective peer interaction.

What to Look For: A quality program includes direct instruction from experienced educators who engage students, explain concepts, and provide guided practice. Beware of programs that rely solely on worksheets without instructional support.

What to Look For: SEL is essential for students to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and social skills. Look for a program that teaches:

✔ Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
✔ Emotional resilience and stress management techniques
✔ Empathy, kindness, and collaboration
✔ Growth mindset and perseverance

What to Look For: The best programs instill strong work ethics, perseverance, and a growth mindset while promoting pro-social behaviors like teamwork, anti-bullying, and community involvement. Look for a program that emphasizes both academic and character development.

What to Look For: A dedicated, professional, safe, and clean learning space is essential for student growth. Classrooms should be organized, inviting, and distraction-free, fostering focus and productivity.

What to Look For: A Common Core-aligned curriculum ensures students meet state educational standards. Programs should also offer weekly assessments to track student progress and adjust teaching strategies accordingly.

What to Look For: Consistent communication is key. Look for programs that provide daily or weekly updates on your child’s academic progress, behavior, and areas for improvement. Transparency and feedback help parents stay involved in their child’s education.

What to Look For: The best after-school programs go beyond homework help—they equip students with the study skills, independence, emotional intelligence, and responsibility needed to succeed in high school and beyond.

What to Look For: Effective programs teach structured study techniques, time management, and self-discipline to ensure long-term academic success. Ask how the program reinforces these habits daily.

Make An Informed Decision

By asking these critical questions, you can confidently choose an after-school program that provides a safe, structured, and enriching environment for your child’s academic and social-emotional growth.

At School-Connection, we are committed to exceeding these standards—offering a well-rounded, research-based approach that helps students thrive in school and in life.