The number of students attending afterschool programs has skyrocketed in recent years, currently serving an estimated 8.4 million children (Afterschool Alliance, 2009). Consequently, the demand for high quality afterschool programs, and to learn from successful ones, has never been greater. This "Making Afterschool Programs Better" policy brief, synthesizes the results from nearly 20 years of experience in evaluating afterschool programs. CRESST (National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing) evaluations include U.S. Department of Education supported 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, state-supported afterschool programs across California, and multiple evaluations of the LA's Better Educated Students for Tomorrow enrichment program. This brief is shared with the goal that others will benefit from CRESST's findings and recommendations; thus, providing an increasing number of children with a high quality afterschool program leading to exceptional learning and successful careers. (Contains 4 figures, 1 table and 1 footnote.)