In a Harvard Family Research Project document entitled “Exploring Quality in After School Programs for Middle School-Age Youth,” seven insights are provided to ensure quality programming and youth engagement.

1. Middle school youth “vote with their feet.”
   The call to action:  If you build it, they won’t necessarily come; but if students build it, they will come. Keep your program fresh and relevant so they will choose to be there. Give middle school students a voice.
   
   
2. Middle school youth are active creators of their own afterschool experiences.
   The call to action:  Engage students in the development of and leadership roles within afterschool. Support their abilities. Model expected behaviors.
   
   
3. Quality standards for afterschool programs should be asset-based.
   The call to action:  Program staff emphasis shifts from simply managing students to facilitating meaningful, rewarding experiences.
   
   
4. Staff credibility and interactions are essential in recruiting and retaining middle school students in afterschool programs.
   The call to action:  Hire energetic people who have a passion for youth, can think on their feet, are trustworthy, are willing to develop sound relationships, and can be leadership role models.
   
   
5. Staff and volunteer training and orientation should be middle school specific.
   The call to action:  Orient and train staff and volunteers to the unique aspects of middle school programming and youth development.
   
   
6. Strong programs balance connection to and independence from school.
   The call to action:  Afterschool should not simply serve as a longer school day. Instead, it should address the “whole person” and include a variety of learning methods and enrichment activities to motivate older youth.
   
   
7. Family connections are even more important in middle school even though they are more difficult to cultivate.
   The call to action:  Afterschool staff must seek to develop relationships with extended family members, provide opportunities for family members to participate and facilitate the connections between youth and adults.

For more information:  www.hfrp.org