Celebrating National Lights On Afterschool
In celebration of National Lights On Afterschool Day, Partners For Change proudly hosted a special Bus Tour that brought together board members, community stakeholders, and partners for an inside look at the incredible impact of Out-of-School Time (OST) programming across our River Cities.
The tour featured several exciting stops, including:
Newport Intermediate, where we learned about the school’s outstanding academic achievements;
Ludlow’s SHINE and SOAR programs, where guests joined students during their enrichment hour with Creative House of Art & Design; and
The brand-new Holmes High School Makerspace, an inspiring hub of creativity and innovation.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees heard directly from program leaders, school administrators, and students about how OST programs are keeping the lights on for learning, growth, and opportunity well beyond the final school bell.
A huge thank you to each of our partnering school districts and OST Coordinators for the incredible work you do every single day to create safe, engaging environments where students can thrive! And to everyone who joined us — and who continues to champion Out-of-School Time programs — your investment is making a lasting difference for students and communities across Northern Kentucky.
Through these Partners For Change partnerships, school districts are able to:
Implement best practices rooted in evidence-based models and years of data-driven success;
Leverage external funding provided by Partners For Change to supplement 21st Century Community Learning Center grants;
Access a network of vetted community partners for enrichment, academic, and family services;
Receive ongoing technical assistance and training to ensure program quality, consistency, and impact; and
Collaboratively share data and insights to drive continuous improvement and aligned outcomes across the River Cities.
In the 2024–2025 school year, students participating in OST programs across three Northern Kentucky districts have already received more than 4,017 hours of high-dosage instruction from certified teaching staff. We’re proud to report that 80.6% of students demonstrated growth in reading and 71.6% showed growth in math from the beginning to the end of the year — including over 1,000 hours of research-based reading intervention provided for K–3 students.
Together, we’re building brighter futures and keeping the lights on for learning across Northern Kentucky!
