Mayor Bowser Encourages Families to Use New MOST.dc.gov Portal to Sign Up for Out-of-School Time Programs

(Washington, DC) - Mayor Muriel Bowser is reminding families across the District that starting today, Monday, September 15, they can use the new My Out of School Time DC (MOST-DC) portal to register their children for after-school programming during the 2025-26 school year. Launched in March of this year, the portal represents an important step toward universal access to out-of-school time (OST) opportunities and ensures that families, in both DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools, can more easily explore, review, and register for after-school activities that support student learning, safety, growth, and joy.

"We have so many fantastic after-school and out-of-school time programs for kids and teens, but sometimes families don't know about them," said Mayor Bowser. "The MOST-DC portal is a game-changer for families, allowing parents and guardians to find and sign up for close to 1,000 programs, all in one place and with just a few clicks. We're proud to make it easier than ever for families to connect their students with the enriching experiences they deserve."

The MOST-DC portal includes programs funded by the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office), DCPS, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. With a wide range of enriching after-school and weekend programs to choose from, the portal allows users to search programs by location, cost, ward, school, and grade level, and is available in English and Spanish. OST Programs for 2025-26 are now available on MOST.dc.gov.

"Streamlined, user-friendly, equitable access to programs and resources - that's what MOST-DC delivers," said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn. "Whether you're a parent looking for an arts program near your home, or a student interested in robotics or soccer, the portal helps you find what works for your family. This tool streamlines a previously fragmented process and gives us the data we need to grow effective and in-demand programs to address unmet needs."

Since launching in March, the MOST-DC portal has quickly become a one-stop shop for out-of-school time programming. The portal has already facilitated:

• 6,581 parent accounts
• 8,029 students linked to programs
• 1,000+ summer and after-school programs visible in the portal
• 162 providers integrated

In addition to the low- or no-cost programs the District offers at schools and in community-based settings, families of students in grades K-12 who meet certain eligibility requirements can apply for up to $5,000 in out-of-school time programming scholarship assistance (up to $10,000 for youth with disabilities). The funds can cover the cost of after-school or school break OST programs, including academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, athletics, dance, coding, STEM, and other options. Applications are expected to open in mid-October. For more information, email [email protected].

The MOST-DC portal was made possible through a $5 million investment from the Bowser Administration and the creation of a school-based MOST-DC grant competition. The administration intends to continue expanding the MOST-DC portal year-over-year to include additional after-school and summer program options, new and improved features, and improved data collection capabilities to better serve DC's children, youth, and families.

The MOST-DC portal is available at MOST.dc.gov. For assistance using the portal, contact [email protected]. For more information about OST programs, contact [email protected].

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