Staten Island After School Programs: The Benefits of After School Activities
By Serena Norr
According to the Afterschool Alliance, kids spend more than 1,200 hours in school every year. While that may seem like a substantial amount of time, school only accounts for 20% of a child’s time. This is why after-school programs and activities in Staten Island are a big part of our kids’ school experience. Programs and activities are essential in fostering social and emotional growth, just as important as academic reasons. For busy parents, particularly those juggling work commitments (#iykyk), these programs provide a space where children can thrive safely and productively, extending the learning and joy beyond the regular school hours.
Read on to discover more about why after-school programs are so beneficial to kids and their families.
Psst… Check out 10 Grab-And-Go Breakfasts Your Kids Will Love
Meet New Friends
After-school classes allow kids to connect and meet new people outside of school. Extracurricular activities help form a community and forge a sense of belonging as they hyper-focus on one activity. This can also benefit students who struggle with making friends in school, where they can connect with a different set of peers in smaller groups.
Encourages Physical Activity
After-school activities, like sports, encourage kids to participate in teamwork as well as offer physical activity, help with stress, may improve self-esteem, foster healthy habits, and may promote mental well-being. Kids who participate in sports may also forge long-term bonds that they participate in until the end of high school.
Expose Kids to New Programs
Many schools have limited programming within music and the arts. After-school programming allows kids to try these programs and express themselves in a new way through acting, music, and/or learning a new artistic skill. They can also help unleash creativity, improve communication, boost confidence, and improve focus and concentration.
Programs are Fun
After-school activities are fun and offer a way for kids to do something exciting and engaging beyond their typical school day. This can be a release for students with a rigorous and intense course load and schedule.
Helps Support Working Parents
Here in New York, we have some of the best after-school programs in the country. Participating in an after-school program allows kids to thrive in a safe and supervised environment until a parent or guardian can pick them up.
Provides a Safe and Supportive Environment
After-school programs provide a safe space during times when some kids might be unsupervised. Under an instructor’s guidance, kids develop new skills and learn from a mentor/teacher who can help kids foster new passions/interests. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “regular participation in an after-school program may also reduce risky behaviors and help kids gain college and career-needed skills.”
Academic Benefits
A supportive after-school program provides a well-rounded educational experience that can impact other aspects of school, such as improved concentration, reduced behavioral problems, and fostering new passions, helping lift kids’ moods and well-being.
Staten Island Afterschool Programs
Art Lab
1000 Richmond Terrace
Art Lab offers a variety of after-school and weekend art classes, for children ages 3 through teen. Visit Art Lab’s Annual Open House on September 9th for free demos, mini-classes, and children receive a free t-shirt while supplies last. Look for free workshops and No School Daze events this fall. Check out adult class offerings in fine art, applied art, and photography too! Stop by and find yourself at Art Lab this Fall.
Center Stage Dance Co, Ltd.
10 Akron Street
718-982-9226
Center Stage Dance Company creates a fun, hard-working, all-inclusive space where young dancers can strengthen their technique and grow as artists. A wide variety of classes are offered in different genres for different age groups, so visit them today to find your perfect fit!
Dance Electra
8 Mallory Avenue
718-273-9598
Discover the Joy of Dance at Dance Electra! They specialize in providing a dynamic and nurturing environment for kids to explore their passion for dance. Expert instructors offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical, fostering creativity and skill development. Elevate your child’s dance journey with private lessons and unlock their full potential. Join their vibrant dance community and explore exciting opportunities with renowned competition troupes. Unleash the dancer within today!
DEA Music & Art School
1409 Richmond Ave.
19 Saint Mary’s Ave.
57 Page Ave.
718-370-7733
With a welcoming and vibrant community, learning, DEA offers a wide range of programs in music, visual and performing arts including specific instruments and musical theater classes all taught by professional musicians and creators. DEA has a strong commitment to the local community and provides outreach programs to schools and organizations that don’t have the resources to offer their own arts programming. All students perform in the Annual Christmas Show at Radio City. Top Students perform at Carnegie Hall. Get started with a free trial class.
FasTracKids
141 Evergreen Ave.
718-351-7333
FasTracKids has been offering award winning enrichment programs for the past 20 years, ranging from preschool to homeschooling help, gifted & talented preparation, tutoring and test prep. Also offering chess and STEAM classes as well as NYS Math & ELA, TACHS and SHSAT prep. FTK believes that every child has their own special gift or talent, and with the proper instruction and reinforcement, every child can achieve their true gifted potential!
JCC of Staten Island
1466 Manor Road
718-475-5200
Aspiring athletes at all skill levels can stay active in the JCC’s basketball, soccer, tennis, and aquatics programs. Kids can explore their creative sides in music, art, and dance classes. In the JCC’s iTeens program, teens have fun in a safe environment and work on community service projects together. School’s Out programs bring kids of all ages together for special activities outside of the classroom. The JCC also offers afterschool programs for kids and teens with special needs, as well as inclusion opportunities.
Master Curry
3896 Richmond Ave.
Ignite your child’s passion and confidence with Master Curry Karate’s extraordinary back to-school program. More than just another activity, it’s a transformative experience. This skilled instructor brings over 52 years of expertise, including 32 years teaching in Staten Island. Discover Martial Arts’ essential life skills, boost coordination and strength, and empower self-defense abilities. Fuel your child’s enthusiasm for learning while building character. Enroll now to unlock a world of growth and achievement!
Staten Island Community Tennis Center
2800 Victory Blvd.
The Staten Island Community Tennis Center offers six outdoor and six indoor air conditioned courts for your year round tennis needs. Private and group programs are available for all ages. The staff is dedicated and talented, they work closely with players of all levels and ages. Coaches have worked with players from recreational play as well as moving players to the professional level. Their pro shop can help you with all equipment, racquets, sneakers and racquet repair.
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
3080 Arthur Kill Road
718-948-4800
The Staten Island Skating Pavilion is a year-round indoor ice-skating facility that has been serving the Staten Island community for over 25 years. SISP provides high quality programs to teach the sports of ice hockey, figure skating and other ice-related activities for people of all ages and abilities. The Pavilion Learn to Skate program is recognized by U.S. Figure Skating for its achievements, and is for beginners through advanced skaters ages 3 and up.
Victory Gymnastics
3575 Victory Blvd
Victory Gymnastics Center is proud to be Staten Island’s longest-running gymnastics facility. After opening their doors in 1980, they have had the pleasure of providing families of all ages with gymnastics, tumbling, parent and child programs, birthday parties, and competitive team programs. The increased strength, flexibility, and coordination athletes gain from gymnastics will carry over to their performance in various other sports. One of their primary goals has always been to help increase the self-esteem of the children who participate in their programs.
