Providence After School Alliance (PASA)
Last Revised: October 30, 2025
- Issue Areas
- K-12 education
Program overview
Coordinating after school programs: The Providence After School Alliance (PASA) is a non-profit organization that coordinates high-quality out-of school programs for middle and high school students. PASA’s Afterzone and Hub programs are after-school programming for middle and high school students, respectively. They aim to improve youth social skills, behavior, school attendance, and academic achievement.
Providing logistical and administrative support: PASA is an independent non-profit organization which provides logistical support for out-of-school programming for Providence Public School students. PASA coordinates between schools, program providers, families, and city leaders to recruit youth and ensure that programs are delivered efficiently and effectively. This includes handling fundraising and providing students with meals and transportation. Partner program providers include local-non-profits, artists, teachers and various professionals ensuring a wide variety of program opportunities.
AfterZone programs for Middle School: Middle schoolers participate in AfterZone, which includes almost 100 program options covering STEM, arts, sports, and various other professional and academic interests (e.g. ecology or journalism). Programs are offered during three eight-week sessions throughout the school year and take place two-and-a-half hours a day, four times a week.
Offering academic opportunities to high school students: PASA programming for high school students is called HUB. It offers programs focused on career and life development skills and academics. As part of a Rhode Island state initiative, HUB also offers credit-bearing courses which are funded by the state.
- Strategies
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Afterschool programs
- Cost per Participant
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$1,200 per student
- Location
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Providence (RI), Nashville (TN)
A single rigorously designed study suggests that PASA is a promising strategy for improving youth social skills, behavior, school attendance, and math achievement.
A 2011 quasi-experimental study found that, after one year, sixth graders who participated in PASA-organized afterschool programs reported feeling a stronger connection to their school. PASA program participants missed on average 1.8 fewer days relative to non-participants and were tardy 1.5% less often. These results were statistically significant. Participants were also found to demonstrate stronger social skills and better behavior among peers relative to non-participating students.
The same 2011 study found that after 2 years of program participation students missed nearly 25% fewer days than their non-participating peers. Students also performed a third of grade better in math relative to their peers.
Providing seasonal offerings: Middle and high school student schedules change throughout the year. For example, a sport that a student plays may be offered in the spring. The three-season structure of PASA programs, in which programs are offered in fall, winter, and spring, increase the likelihood that interested students can participate while still engaging with their other activities and responsibilities.
Ensure programs are high quality: Research shows that high quality after-school programs produce the most benefits for students. PASA utilizes a variety of assessment tools to measure programs for quality. These include the Every Hour Counts Framework for Measurement, Continuous Improvement, and Equitable Systems, the Weikart Center’s Youth Program Quality Assessment, the NIOST Survey of Academic and Youth Outcomes and the Partnerships in Education and Resilience’s Holistic Student Assessment.
Encourage retention: Some afterschool programs experience issues with consistent attendance, and retention rates across sessions can be low. In order to maximize participation, and thus the potential benefits of after school programs, youth should be offered leadership roles and given more agency in planning and decision making processes. Studies show that providing leadership opportunities is a strong predictor of retention for older youth.