Aspire Afterschool Learning

Mission

Aspire's mission is to expand learning opportunities that help historically underserved young people fulfill their potential through afterschool and summer learning programs that support and connect families, schools, and communities. Aspire envisions an Arlington where all children have access to the support they need to grow, graduate high school, and succeed as learners.

Historically underserved students need access to the same opportunities that challenge their more affluent peers' imagination, open doors to emerging fields, and develop a lifelong love of learning. The pandemic shined a light on the opportunity gap, and also widened it. Many students entered our afterschool program in the fall of 2021 and 2022 testing two grade levels behind where they should be in reading and math. Pandemic-related learning loss could have lifelong impacts.

Recovery is not enough. Our students need every opportunity to not only make up for lost learning, but to have access to the learning support that will help them reach their full potential.

Aspire is embarking on an ambitious goal to nearly double the number of students we serve over the next three years, growing from 80 to 150 students served daily afterschool. You can learn more about our goals and priorities to support our students as they recover from pandemic learning loss and build thriving futures in our three-year strategic plan.

Organization Information