Afterschool Astros

2024 Surveys


About the Astros

Reach beyond the stars!

The Afterschool Astros is a grant-funded program of the Autism Model School. (Click here to read more about our funding partners.)

The goal is to meet the needs of students in 9th through 12th grade by providing a caring, supportive place to learn and grow.

Our 2023-2024 program year is made possible thanks to generous conributions from the following partners:

  • France Stone Foundation
  • Lott-Conlon Foundation
  • Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
  • Roach Family Foundation (Maumee, OH)
  • Robert C. & Susan M. Savage Family Foundation
  • Waite-Brand Foundation

Program Details

Location & Times

The Afterschool Astros program takes place at the Autism Model School–3020 Tremainsville Road, Toledo, Ohio 43613–and meets Monday through Thursday.

Afterschool sessions run from 2:00pm till 5:00pm.

Students may attend as often as they’d like–whatever works best for each family.

Activities

The Astros program offers a range of activities, including…

  • academic enrichment for reading & math
  • workforce skills practice
  • art, physical education & social-emotional learning opportunities
  • fitness, recreation & other positive youth development experiences
  • family involvement events & learning pathways

Students also take part in leisure programming and enjoy a nutritional snack.

Learning about safety with the help of a special visitor.

Cost

Program costs vary based on a family’s income level in relation to guidelines for the National School Lunch Program.

  • $20/day – families who do not qualify for free/reduced priced lunches
  • $10/day – families who qualify for reduced priced lunches
  • FREE – families who qualify for free lunches

Transportation

The program contracts with certified van drivers from the Autism Model School to provide all students with transportation from the program to their residence.

Transportation is not available from another location to the program.

Student Application

For a student application, please contact Mary Jo Besase.

Community Partners

The Autism Model School is the Local Education Agency (LEA) partner for the Astros. The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (which houses the Agility Angels) is the program’s Community-Based Organization (CBO) partner.

Contact the Astros

Mary Jo Besase, Program Manager, would be happy to answer any questions about the Afterschool Astros.

You can reach Mary Jo at mjbesase@amstoledo.org or by calling 419.265.8249

Key Resources

Voyaging into the Future

This program year, 2023-2024, is the final period of a Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center grant which has been a key source of support for the Afterschool Astros.

The Autism Model School, with coordination from the Astros, will be submitting a proposal for a new five-year grant. (Note: the need for this type of funding exceeds the demand; as a result, this statewide grant is highly competitive.)

We are accepting feedback during this planning phase. Please share your input with Mary Jo (contact info is above).

In addition, the school has reached out to several non-public schools with a request for consultation (see Key Resources section above).

With your partnership the students we serve will voyage into the future with confidence, self-esteem, and wellbeing!