{
  "slug": "after-school-program-margin",
  "title": "After-School Program Margin Calculator",
  "heading": "After-School Program Margin Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/after-school-program-margin",
  "summary": "Profit per child for an after-school enrichment program at a given enrollment.",
  "description": "After-school programs charge per child per week but pay staff by ratio-driven headcount, so margin depends heavily on how full each group runs relative to the staffing ratio threshold. This calculator computes revenue from enrolled children, staffing cost driven by the required ratio, and space/supply costs, to show margin per child and total program profit.",
  "formula": "Staff needed = ceil(children ÷ ratio). Staff cost = staff needed × staff pay per session. Profit = (children × price) − staff cost − overhead.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=after-school-program-margin",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "children",
      "label": "Enrolled children",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 24,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "priceWeek",
      "label": "Price per child per week",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 85,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "ratio",
      "label": "Required child-staff ratio",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 10,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 25
    },
    {
      "id": "staffPayWeek",
      "label": "Staff pay per week per staff",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 400,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "overheadWeek",
      "label": "Weekly overhead (space/supplies)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 300,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "profit",
      "label": "Weekly profit",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "profitPerChild",
      "label": "Profit per child per week",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "revenue",
      "label": "Weekly revenue",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "staffCost",
      "label": "Weekly staff cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Enrolled children: 24",
      "Price per child per week: 85 $",
      "Required child-staff ratio: 10",
      "Staff pay per week per staff: 400 $",
      "Weekly overhead (space/supplies): 300 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Weekly profit: $540",
      "Profit per child per week: $22.50",
      "Weekly revenue: $2,040",
      "Weekly staff cost: $1,200"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter enrolled children.",
      "Enter price per child per week ($).",
      "Enter required child-staff ratio.",
      "Enter staff pay per week per staff ($).",
      "Enter weekly overhead (space/supplies) ($).",
      "Read your weekly profit on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "children": 14,
        "priceWeek": 50,
        "ratio": 6,
        "staffPayWeek": 250,
        "overheadWeek": 175
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "children": 24,
        "priceWeek": 85,
        "ratio": 10,
        "staffPayWeek": 400,
        "overheadWeek": 300
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "children": 38,
        "priceWeek": 135,
        "ratio": 16,
        "staffPayWeek": 650,
        "overheadWeek": 475
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why does the ratio cause step changes in profit?",
      "a": "Because staff count rounds up, going from 20 to 21 children can force a third staff member at some ratios, adding a full staff cost for one extra child — check where your enrollment sits relative to ratio multiples."
    },
    {
      "q": "What ratios are typical for after-school programs?",
      "a": "State licensing usually requires 1:10 to 1:15 for school-age children, tighter (1:6 to 1:8) for younger elementary groups — check your state's specific childcare licensing rules."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much should overhead include?",
      "a": "Space rental or school-use fees, snacks, supplies, and insurance. If the program operates rent-free in a school building, overhead is usually just supplies and insurance, which is much lower."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is per-child profit or total profit more useful?",
      "a": "Total profit tells you whether the program is worth running at all; per-child profit tells you how sensitive you are to enrollment drops and whether you have room to discount for multi-child families."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/student-teacher-ratio-staffing-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tutoring-center-breakeven"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — After-School Program Margin Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/after-school-program-margin)"
}