After School Programs in the UWS
With school officially in session, parents may be looking for after-school activities to enhance their kids’ days. From homework help, sports, arts and crafts, learning a new language, or even a variation of everything above, there’s no shortage of ways kids can keep their minds active after school lets out. Here’s five of our favorites in the Upper West Side!
The Baseball Center NYC: Best for Yankees and Mets Fans
If you have a baseball lover, there’s no better after school program than the Baseball Center NYC! Their 5-Tool After-School Program is designed to teach skill sets to take your rookie ballplayer to an aspiring All-Star.
The “five tool” program highlights throwing, catching, hitting, base-running, and game concentration while kids learn the rules of baseball in a fun and upbeat environment. Grab your bat and let’s play ball!
UWS YMCA: Best for Affordable Programming
One of the greatest hidden gems of the city, the Upper West Side YMCA, offers after school programs for a low or no cost! They feature a curriculum focused around learning enhancement, homework help, health, and sports like swimming, basketball, dance, and football. With a staff to student ration of 1:10, you can be sure your little one is getting lots of attention.
A huge perk of doing after school at the YMCA? Registration is spread out through the year, so if your little one doesn’t need to enroll until the spring, that’s cool with them!
HudsonWay Immersion School: Best for Language Learning
Being bilingual is an advantage, and Upper West Side is home to the perfect spot to send your kids after school to pick up a new language.
The HudsonWay Immersion School has theme-based programs to help kids benefit from language immersion and enrichment activities – such as arts, crafts, and games – all taught in Spanish or Mandarin. With small class sizes taught by experienced, native speaking teachers, the program welcomes elementary-aged children up to age 12.
Arts In Action (Visual Art Program): Best for Budding Artists
The Arts In Action Visual Arts Program is a non-profit that provides an after-school fine arts education. The program functions with the idea that all children are artists and teaches drawing, painting, and sculpting skills. Along with teaching the fundamentals of visual art, the program inspires children to create with confidence. Like the JCC, it offers pick up services from many Upper West Side schools, making it a convenient choice for working parents.
Jewish Community Center in Manhattan: Best for Variety
Variety is the spice of life, right? And that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Jewish Community Center when it comes to after-school programs. Get your kids’ feet wet with swimming classes, tip toe into ballet, or catch up on some homework with after school tutoring. This program is especially great for siblings who have different interests – making it easy for parents or babysitters to pick up the kids at one location.
Another bonus of the Jewish Community Center’s after school program is pick-up services from schools. Just think: Parents don’t have to hire caretakers to shuttle children to a class. If kids arrive to the JCC a bit early, they can participate in the Clubhouse, where they can get homework help or spend time on creative projects.
Do you have a favorite after school programs in the Upper West Side? Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook, we’d love to hear!
Posted in manhattan living, Westside | Tagged activities in nyc for kids • after school programs • after-school • Upper West Side activities
