Maryland’s Afterschool Landscape: Growing Demand, Limited Access

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On October 15, out-of-school-time leaders from across the country gathered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the release of the 2025 America After 3PM Report. Published every five years by the Afterschool Alliance, this report remains one of the nation’s most comprehensive snapshots of afterschool participation—offering both national and state-level insights into enrollment, demand, and parents’ perceptions of quality and impact.

This year’s findings for Maryland tell a story that is both urgent and motivating. While demand for afterschool programs continues to rise, access has not kept pace. An estimated 421,774 Maryland children would participate in an afterschool program if one were available to them. Families cite cost, transportation, and limited program availability as the biggest barriers. Affordability, in particular, stands out as the number-one challenge for both low- and middle-income families. Meanwhile, more affluent families spend nine times more on out-of-school enrichment opportunities, widening the opportunity gap for Maryland’s young people.

Amid these challenges, there is also cause for optimism. Eighty-five percent of Maryland parents say afterschool programs help their children learn, have fun, and spend less time on screens—a powerful endorsement of the impact and value of high-quality OST programs.

You can explore the full data set and state-by-state comparisons through the America After 3PM interactive dashboard. MOST will also host an upcoming webinar to unpack the Maryland findings, share local insights, and begin a collaborative conversation on how we can close the gap and ensure every child has access to safe, enriching opportunities after school.