16 Non-Profit After-School Programs for High School Students
If you’re in high school and looking for something to do after classes, non-profit after-school programs can be a great option. They give you the chance to learn new skills, explore interests, and get guidance from mentors while still keeping up with your schoolwork.
These programs are often run by community groups, local colleges, or organizations that want to support students. You might join a workshop, take part in service projects, or learn about different careers. Some focus on academics, while others let you try things like arts, leadership, or projects connected to real-world problems.
Being part of a program like this also connects you with people outside your regular school circle. You meet mentors, professionals, and other students who share your interests, which can be helpful for your future goals. At the same time, you gain experiences that show colleges and employers you’ve taken initiative beyond the classroom.
To help you explore your options, here’s a list of 16 non-profit after-school programs for high school students!
16 Non-Profit After-School Programs for High School Students
1. Young Founders Lab
Cost: There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
2. 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)
Location: Nationwide (funded centers in schools and community organizations across the U.S.
Cost: Free (federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education)
Program Dates: Year-round afterschool programming during the school year; some sites also offer summer extensions
Application Deadline: Enrollment varies by local site; ongoing applications accepted at participating schools
Eligibility: Open to K–12 students, with high school participants supported at select centers
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is the only federal funding source focused just on afterschool programs. If you join a local center, you’ll get academic support, mentoring, and enrichment activities. These often include tutoring, STEM workshops, arts, and leadership projects. Many sites team up with nonprofits, colleges, or businesses to offer even more opportunities. You might also take part in public speaking, financial literacy, or community service. Educators, families, and community partners work together to make these centers safe and helpful.
3. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
4. Think Together – Expanded Learning Programs
Location: California (multiple school districts statewide)
Cost: Free (non-profit, funded through partnerships and donations)
Program Dates: Ongoing during the school year; also offers summer and non-instructional day programs
Application Deadline: Enrollment varies by school district; rolling applications accepted
Eligibility: Open to K–12 students in partner districts; high school tracks emphasize college and career readiness
Think Together is one of California’s largest afterschool programs, serving over 90,000 students across the state. As a high school student, you’ll join a structured program that supports your academic growth and future goals. You’ll get help with homework, take part in STEM, arts, and sports activities, and work on group projects that build leadership and teamwork. You’ll also learn practical skills like public speaking, time management, and financial literacy.
5. Think Together – College and Career Readiness
Location: California (partner high schools across the state)
Cost: Free (funded by nonprofit partnerships, grants, and corporate sponsorships)
Program Dates: Ongoing during the school year; mentorship and internship opportunities may extend over two years
Application Deadline: Enrollment through partner high schools; rolling application cycle
Eligibility: Open to high school students in districts partnered with Think Together
Think Together – College and Career Readiness helps high school students prepare for life after graduation. Through the Workforce Readiness Education Program (WREP), you’ll get 20 hours of job training and 20 hours of college prep workshops. You’ll learn how to write resumes, practice interviews, and get advice from career mentors. You can also join paid internships, shadow professionals at work, and take part in programs like State Farm’s DriveSafe or Boeing’s STEM robotics grants. For college prep, you’ll attend scholarship workshops, get help with FAFSA, and visit campuses and college fairs.
6. After-School All-Stars (ASAS)
Location: Nationwide (18 chapters in 80+ cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Washington D.C.)
Cost: Free (non-profit funded through donations, grants, and corporate partnerships)
Program Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year, with additional summer programs offered in select cities
Application Deadline: Enrollment varies by local chapter; applications typically accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students from underserved communities in partner schools
After-School All-Stars is a free program that helps nearly 150,000 students each year through after-school and summer activities. As a high school student, you can get academic help, join sports and arts programs, and explore careers with support from mentors. You might work on hands-on projects, do community service, or attend workshops that teach job skills. Some programs include visits to colleges or workplaces and talks from professionals.
7. The Salvation Army – Youth After-School Programs
Location: Nationwide (programs operate through local Salvation Army community centers across the U.S.)
Cost: Free or low-cost, depending on location; funded by donations and community support
Program Dates: Year-round, typically during after-school hours and summer months
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by local community center
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; availability may vary by region
The Salvation Army Afterschool Programs offer safe, structured spaces for students across the U.S. after the school day ends. You can get help with homework, use computer labs, and join tutoring sessions. Programs also include music, dance, art, and STEM activities. Many centers run sports leagues like basketball and futsal to build teamwork and leadership. Depending on your location, you might explore culinary arts, martial arts, or design clubs. Some centers offer music lessons and choir programs, especially where schools don’t have arts classes.
8. After School Matters
Location: Chicago, Illinois (program sites across the city)
Cost: Free; stipends provided to participating teens
Program Dates: Seasonal sessions; e.g., September 23–December 13 for fall programs, with summer and spring terms also offered
Application Deadline: September 19 for fall programs (deadlines vary each term)
Eligibility: Chicago high school students (grades 9–12)
After School Matters (ASM) is a nonprofit in Chicago that offers free after-school and summer programs for teens. You can choose from over 1600 options in arts, STEM, business, sports, and communications. Programs are hands-on and led by skilled instructors and community partners. You might make short films, write for a school newspaper, learn cooking, or work on coding and engineering projects. You also earn a stipend for your time, making it easier to join no matter your financial background. ASM includes mentoring, site visits, and chances to meet professionals in different careers.
9. LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: Free
Program Dates: After-school hours during the school year, with summer sessions also offered
Application Deadline: Rolling (students can typically apply through their schools)
Eligibility: Open to K–12 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, including high schoolers
LA’s BEST is a free after-school program in Los Angeles that gives high school students a safe place to learn and grow after school. You’ll get help with homework, join literacy and STEM projects, and take part in arts, sports, and community service. The program also teaches leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution through hands-on activities. Studies by UCLA show that students in LA’s BEST attend school more often, score higher on tests, and stay more engaged. You’ll work with mentors, build new skills, and be part of a supportive community that helps you succeed both in and out of the classroom.
10. Youth Guidance – Full-Service Community Schools
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free to students in participating schools
Program Dates: Year-round, including after-school hours, weekends, and summer enrichment
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by school site
Eligibility: Middle and high school students enrolled in participating Chicago schools
Youth Guidance runs 17 Full-Service Community Schools across Chicago, supporting over 2,400 students in neighborhoods that need extra resources. As a high school student, you’ll get academic help, mentorship, and support for your mental and emotional well-being. You’ll take part in service learning, financial literacy, and career exploration, guided by High School Resource Coordinators who help you set goals and make thoughtful decisions. One of the most powerful parts of the program is student voice; older teens help shape the activities and lead projects, making sure everything feels relevant and meaningful.
11. The People Foundation – Online Community Service Program
Location: Nationwide, virtual
Cost: Free for volunteers completing approved service hours; optional paid certification for official verification
Program Dates: Year-round; flexible schedule with self-paced modules
Application Deadline: No formal deadline; enrollment open year-round
Eligibility: High school students across the U.S. seeking verified community service hours
The People Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering an entirely online, self-paced program where you can complete certified community service hours from home. You’ll engage in educational awareness modules on topics like civic responsibility, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and community engagement. Each session is tracked and verified by a supervisor for legitimacy and credit acceptance by schools and courts. You’ll gain reflection-based skills in social responsibility and ethical reasoning while earning recognized volunteer hours.
12. Junior Achievement (JA) – After-School & In-School Programs
Location: Nationwide (local JA areas across the U.S.)
Cost: Often free through school/partner support; fees (if any) vary by local JA area; many sites offer subsidies
Program Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year (after-school modules, in-class units, and capstone simulations)
Application Deadline: Typically coordinated through schools/JA local offices; rolling registration for many events
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12) via participating schools or local JA open-enrollment offerings
JA delivers nonprofit, standards-aligned learning experiences in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness that can run after school or during class. You might prototype a venture in JA Company Program, run budgeting and investment scenarios in JA Finance Park and JA Personal Finance, or work through career exploration and soft-skills modules (e.g., JA Career Success, JA Job Shadow). The pedagogy leans on simulations, volunteer industry mentors, and iterative decision-making, building cash-flow modeling, lean planning, market analysis, and professional communication, all packaged for flexible after-school delivery through local JA areas.
13. YMCA – Youth Development and After-School Programs
Location: Nationwide (2,500+ YMCA centers across the U.S.)
Cost: Free or sliding-scale based on income; supported by community donations and grants
Program Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year, with seasonal day and overnight camps
Application Deadline: Varies by local YMCA; rolling enrollment available in most regions
Eligibility: Open to high school students through local Y branches; specific programs may have age-based requirements
The YMCA is one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Through its after-school and teen leadership programs, you can participate in tutoring, volunteer projects, sports leagues, and career-readiness workshops. Many Ys also offer mentoring and civic engagement opportunities that strengthen teamwork and community awareness. You’ll develop leadership, time management, and social-emotional skills while contributing to a healthier, more connected community.
14. Aspire Afterschool Learning – Literacy & Mentorship Programs
Location: Arlington, Virginia (three sites across South Arlington)
Cost: Free (funded through community donations, grants, and AmeriCorps support)
Program Dates: School-year sessions (August–June) with summer learning extensions
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment for students; volunteer sign-ups open year-round
Eligibility: After-school program serves Grades 3–8; high school students may apply as mentors and volunteers
Aspire Afterschool Learning is a nonprofit dedicated to helping underserved youth build literacy, confidence, and a love for learning. Its programs combine daily academic support, reading practice, and enrichment activities with family engagement initiatives. High school students can volunteer as reading mentors or homework tutors, gaining leadership and community service experience while supporting younger learners. The environment emphasizes relationship-building, academic persistence, and cross-age mentorship, core elements of after-school development and social responsibility.
15. 4-H – Youth Development & After-School Programs
Location: Nationwide (available through county extension offices in all 50 states)
Cost: Free or low-cost, supported by government and philanthropic funding
Program Dates: Year-round, with local after-school clubs and seasonal projects
Application Deadline: Rolling; enrollment handled through local 4-H offices
Eligibility: Open to youth ages 5–18; high school students can join as participants, mentors, or teen leaders
4-H is a nonprofit youth development organization that empowers students to explore STEM, agriculture, health, and civic engagement through hands-on learning and leadership programs. Local 4-H clubs meet after school to work on projects ranging from coding and environmental science to entrepreneurship and community service. You’ll learn real-world skills in teamwork, communication, and project management while earning volunteer and leadership experience recognized by colleges nationwide. The 4-H network connects six million youth each year with mentorship, competitions, and service opportunities that foster confidence, resilience, and career readiness.
16. Aim High – Summer & Leadership Enrichment Program
Location: Northern California (multiple campuses across the Bay Area and surrounding regions)
Cost: Free (funded by philanthropic grants and community partnerships)
Program Dates: Five-week summer sessions, with leadership and mentorship activities continuing during the school year
Application Deadline: Typically opens in December; rolling until sites fill
Eligibility: Open to rising 6th–9th graders from low-income families; high school students may return as youth leaders or mentors
Aim High is a nonprofit enrichment program that provides free academic and personal growth opportunities for under-resourced students across Northern California. The five-week summer program blends STEM, humanities, and social-emotional learning, helping you build confidence and critical thinking skills. High school students who graduate from the program often return as youth leaders, gaining mentorship and teaching experience while giving back to their communities. Aim High’s focus on equity, joy, and long-term connection makes it one of the region’s most effective nonprofit learning initiatives.
Image source - Ladder