9/01/2026

N. WISCONSIN - A new report from the Afterschool Alliance finds that 97 percent of Wisconsin parents with kids in afterschool programs say the curriculum includes science, technology, engineering or math. Still, the findings suggest too many kids are missing out on these lessons. The parent survey, called "Afterschool STEM Takes Off," shows that Badger State programs have come a long way since 2014, when only 47 percent offered STEM content. Despite that, Randy Neve with the Wisconsin Out-of-School Time Alliance says four out of five parents who want an afterschool option haven't enrolled their child.

                0:10  "There's some programs that are not available in certain areas. There are programs that parents can't afford, and then there are programs that don't offer transportation. There's a lot of issues."

Neve says afterschool STEM programs cost parents about 250 to 300 dollars a month, and summer camps run you around 600 bucks. Many programs are subsidized by federal funds and philanthropy. But the state of Wisconsin’s last budget included no money for afterschool programs. Next spring, afterschool advocates will work with the state legislature to advocate for afterschool funding in the bi-annual budget – especially in small, rural areas.