RPCA Presents Out of School Time Power-On Program

Page updated on May 12, 2026 at 9:17 AM
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Group of kids from OSTP and the City logo designation on the left with the words Out of School Time Power-On in white letters laid on top

 

The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities will offer its Out of School Time (OST) Power-On Program for school-aged children in kindergarten through 6th grade for the 2026-27 school year. 

The afterschool program begins Monday, August 24, and ends Thursday, June 17, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the following recreation centers and Alexandria City elementary schools:

  • Charles Barrett Recreation Center
  • Charles Houston Recreation Center
  • Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center
  • Mount Vernon Recreation Center
  • Patrick Henry Recreation Center
  • William Ramsay Recreation Center
  • Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School
  • John Adams Elementary School
  • Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

The 2026-2027 School Year Power-On fee is $892 for the school year: $305 with documentation for free/reduced-price school meals, $255 with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or $149 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Program fees are subject to increase beginning July 1.

Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center will offer its Youth Achieving Greatness Program (YAG) with structured enrichment activities to increase learning, independence, socialization, and leadership skills. The program begins on Monday, August 24 and ends on Thursday, June 17, 2027. The program fee is $1,495 for the school year. Financial assistance is available. The YAG program is open only to City residents and does not follow the pre-registration schedule, but follows the general registration process listed below.  Program fees are subject to increase beginning July 1.

Afterschool program start and end dates are subject to change based on ACPS Traditional School Calendar.

The school year Power-On program is open only to City residents and will follow the pre-registration and general registration procedures outlined below.

There will be a pre-registration period provided for Alexandria residents who qualify for financial assistance. Beginning Sunday, June 7 through Friday, June 12, pre-registration forms will be available online, and printed forms will be available for pickup and drop-off at the following locations (call the location to verify operating hours):

  • Lee Center Registration and Reservation Office, 1108 Jefferson St., 703.746.5414
  • Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., 703.746.5552
  • Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center, 25 West Reed Ave., 703.746.5554
  • Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., 703.746.5556
  • Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., 703.746.5557
  • William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Ave., 703.746.5558

Applicants are required to verify eligibility by completing and submitting the pre-registration forms by June 12. All submissions will be placed in a computerized lottery, randomly selecting the order of eligible applicants, and generating a waitlist if needed. Selected applicants will be contacted by email and/or phone beginning June 17 with additional information on program registration. Applicants must complete the registration process by June 23.

On Wednesday, June 24 at 9 a.m., any remaining openings will be available using general online-only registration.

On Thursday, June 25, in-person, and online registration for any remaining openings will be available. In-person registration can be completed at any neighborhood recreation center or Power-On afterschool location during regular program operating hours.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jackie.person@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5423, Virginia Relay 711.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.