How to pay for afterschool and homeschool programs in LA
California has no ESA, no school voucher and no homeschool tax credit. Money reaches Los Angeles families through six other channels instead, and almost nobody explains them together.
We tracked 55 distinct funding streams across LA County. Below is what each channel pays for and who it fits. If you'd rather answer four questions and be told, start here.
| Channel | What it's worth | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Free afterschool at your school | Free to you | TK–6, everyone |
| ASES & 21st CCLC | Free to you | Often K–12, site by site |
| City & county park programs | Free, or ~$10 a season | Ages 7–17 |
| CalWORKs & childcare subsidies | Pays licensed care | Through age 12, income-qualified |
| Homeschool charter funds | $2,500–$4,300/yr | Families who homeschool |
| Grants & scholarships | Varies | Programs, and some families |
Guides to each LA funding program
Free afterschool care in Los Angeles: how ELO-P works
ELO-P is a California program that pays every school district to offer free before-school, afterschool, summer and intersession care. In Los Angeles it means a TK–6 student can stay at school until 6 p.m. at no cost, with no income test.
ASES and 21st CCLC: free afterschool at school sites
ASES and 21st CCLC are state and federal grant programs that fund free afterschool programming at qualifying school sites, including middle and high schools. Where ELO-P stops at 6th grade, these often continue.
Free and $10 park programs: which one applies where you live
Los Angeles has two separate parks systems, and which one serves you depends on whether your address is inside the City of Los Angeles or in unincorporated county territory. LA County Parks runs free drop-in afterschool programming; the City of LA charges about $10 a season for youth sports with waivers available.
Childcare subsidies that pay for afterschool care in LA
California childcare subsidies pay licensed and license-exempt providers to care for children through age 12, including before and afterschool programs. In Los Angeles they are administered by agencies like Crystal Stairs, Pathways LA and CCRC.
Homeschool charter funds: the only money that pays a small program directly
California homeschool charter schools allocate each enrolled student roughly $2,500 to $4,300 a year in instructional or enrichment funds, spendable through purchase orders at the school's approved vendors. It is the only channel in California that puts public education money directly into a small private program's hands.
Grants and scholarships: money for programs, and money for families
Much of what makes youth programming free in Los Angeles is philanthropic, not governmental. Foundations fund the providers, and a smaller set of scholarships goes directly to families.
Homeschool charters serving LA County
15 tuition-free public charters enroll LA County students and allocate enrichment funds. Only one publishes its current amounts on its own site, so every figure here shows where it came from.
Funding FAQs for LA families
- Does California have an ESA or school voucher?
- No. California has no education savings account, no school voucher and no homeschool tax credit. Money reaches Los Angeles families through six other channels: free district afterschool (ELO-P), ASES and 21st CCLC grants, city and county park programs, childcare subsidies, homeschool charter enrichment funds, and philanthropy.
- What is the only funding that pays a private program directly?
- Homeschool charter enrichment funds. Every other channel either pays a school district, pays a licensed childcare provider, or funds the nonprofit itself. If you want money to reach a specific dojo, dance studio or tutor, charter funds are the channel.
- Is free afterschool really available at every LA school?
- Yes for TK through 6th grade. Every California district receives ELO-P funding, and LAUSD delivers it through Beyond the Bell at more than 700 schools. There is no income test, though sites may waitlist once they reach staffing capacity.