The start of school, and all the stress that goes along with it, is here in the Hudson Valley. While shaking off summer routines is a challenge for kids and adults alike, the new school year brings new beginnings and opportunities to flourish. After-school programs are a great way to extend your child’s learning, especially if you are a working parent that needs extra time between dismissal and when you get out of work.
Albany County
Albany Public School Extended Day Programs
Monday – Friday
Pick-up time: 5:30 p.m.
Kindergarten – 8th grade
Does your child attend one of the schools that are part of the City School District of Albany? If so, after-school programs through outside organizations are available to all students. Many of the programs are funded by the community, so no need to worry about the cost of attending. Not only do these programs give your child a place to have fun, but they offer tutoring and homework help. Also to note, many of the programs operate independent of the school district. Admission to those programs is determined by the organization, not by the school district.
Columbia County
Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood (GHPN)
6 South 2nd Street, Hudson
Monday – Friday 3-6 p.m.
The Promise After School program is available to students in the Hudson School District from kindergarten to senior year of high school. The program is designed to help students flourish academically with social and emotional support. Students receive one-on-one help with assignments and are encouraged to set reachable goals. At GHPN, students have access to computer labs to ensure they have the proper materials to complete assignments online that require research. In addition, students will receive a hot meal and will be eligible to go on free trips through GHPN’s partnerships.
Dutchess County
United Methodist Church Before/After School Care
9 S Mesier Ave, Wappingers Falls
Bus service is available to students in the Wappingers Central School District
Student drop-off begins at 6:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 6:30 p.m.
Kindergarten to 6th grade
This affordable before and after-school program gives children the chance to have a fun and educational experience while allows parents the flexibility to extend the school day to accommodate hectic schedule. The program helps students create goals for themselves as they engage in activities such as art and crafts, homework support, and basic biblical teachings. In addition, kids can participate in teamwork activities and play recreational sports.
Hudson Valley Community Center
110 Grand Ave, Poughkeepsie
Friday nights 5–8 p.m
Since 1992, the Young Mission Outreach Program has been a big part of the City of Poughkeepsie. The goal of this program is to help children physically, emotional, spiritually, and socially. The program provides transportation, food, and clothes, and teaches about personal issues and biblical principles. The best part is that it’s free!
Greene County
Catskill Wheelhouse Cooperative School
46 Anbach Lane, Catskill
Busing available for Catskill Elementary
Monday – Friday 3:30–6 p.m.
$3/hour
Are you looking for a more hands-on and educational program to send your kids after school? Look no further. On Mondays, students get the chance to learn about plants and animals and explore the relationships our local ancestors had with the land. If that doesn’t spark your child’s interests, bring them on Tuesdays and Thursdays when they get to bring out their creative side. Students will have access to a vast amount of materials to build and create their own masterpieces. On Fridays students will learn about shelter. This includes learning about different shelters people have around the world, but also getting the chance to build their own shelter using materials only around the forest and school.
Orange County
Newburgh Free Library
124 Grand St, Newburgh
Monday-Thursday 4–6 p.m.
Do your kids need help with their homework and you don’t know where to begin? Take them to a homework help program. Teachers from Newburgh School District are there to assist students from 1st to 6th grade on assignments.
Ulster County
New Paltz Youth Program
220 Main Street, New Paltz
Monday-Friday 2–9 p.m.
Do you need an after-school program for your older children? If your children attend New Paltz Middle School or High School, they can stop by the New Paltz Youth Program. Students have the chance to play recreational activities such as basketball, foosball, ping-pong, board games, and more. In addition, the program offers a variety of support services. Staff can assist with crisis intervention, tutoring, individual counseling, and family mediation.