Extra-Curricular Activites

Children spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school, and what happens after the school bell rings can be the difference between success and failure. Extra-curricular activities and out-of-school programming, which include after-school activities, summer programs, and student clubs offer many benefits that extend beyond the classroom, including higher graduation rates, improved attendance, increased engagement in school, and career exposure.

Out 2 Learn

Initiated in 2018, Out 2 Learn (O2L) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to increasing access to and improving the quality of out-of-school opportunities in Greater Houston. The efforts of Out 2 Learn are led by the Mayor's Office of Education and Youth Engagement alongside the Houston Endowment, Harris County Department of Education’s CASE for Kids, and United Way of Greater Houston.

In February 2023, the Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement was recognized as an official ally of the Engage Every Student initiative by the U.S. Department of Education, a bold new call to action to provide high-quality out-of-school time learning opportunities for every child who wants to participate. Our office is proud to join the Engage Every Student initiative in its mission to provide schools and communities the connections and assistance they may need to expand access to afterschool and summer learning programs. Click here for the full list of official allies.

Who does Out 2 Learn support?

• Parents/guardians can find out-of-school programs for their children using our free online database which is updated regularly.
• Out-of-school programs in Greater Houston are invited to join the Out 2 Learn network. Members of this network gain access to funding opportunities, quarterly convenings for professional development and networking, and external quality assessments.
• Youth are invited to apply to the Out 2 Learn Youth Leaders Project, a one-semester ambassador and leadership project for middle and high school students that brings together community-oriented youth who recognize the value of out-of-school time (OST) programming.

For more information about the Out 2 Learn program, please email MYR.Out2Learn@houstontx.gov.