One of the greatest parts of teaching an after-school high school program versus a during-school-hours elementary class is the ability to dive deeper into mature themes and issues with older students who are excited to be there. That is not to say that students from during-school-hours classes do not want to be there, but the are they first and foremost because it is already part of their regular school day. At the Latino Youth High School we are able to take a more in-depth analysis of poetry with an intimate group of poets who already have a solid foundation for poetic structure. With these poets we explore themes of racism, politics, gender, identity, inner-city life, and love. Keep an eye out for the poems generated from the Latino Youth High School after school poetry project.