In this article, the author discusses how after-school programs are very popular with the public. A series of annual voter surveys conducted by the Afterschool Alliance shows public support consistently running in the 90 percent range, with 76 percent of voters even going so far as to say they would be willing to pay additional taxes if more after-school programs resulted. Because after-school programs offer the unique opportunity to engage the public and community organizations with schools, dynamic programs build public support that can advance many of a school district's priorities. With today's increasingly rigorous academic standards, many students need additional learning time. The public understands as much: In the 2004 Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll, 94 percent of those surveyed support increasing instructional time. At the same time, rapidly changing workplace demands mean that many working parents need additional help during after-school time to keep children on track.