Hardworking parents and their children often don’t end their day at the same time. When a child gets out of school in the early afternoon, their parents may still have to be working for several more hours.
For local parents looking for a safe and constructive space where their children can stay until they can pick them up, here are eight after-school programs in the Long Beach and Signal Hill area:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach: This affordable after-school program costs $15 for an annual membership. Transportation from the child’s school to the program is also available for an additional $60 a month. This program is held between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children will receive help with their homework, make crafts and participate in activities. There are three Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach that any child can attend, and one on the campus of Long Beach City College that is specifically for the children of students. To learn more, visit https://www.bgclublb.org/member.
YMCA: Over 19 schools in Long Beach have partnered with the YMCA to offer after-school programs on campus for children from kindergarten to the 8th grade. While at the program, children will receive homework help and conduct educational projects in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). To see a full list of schools where the YMCA is providing after-school programs, visit https://www.lbymca.org/ases-lbusd.
Valter Paiva Tennis Academy: For kids who want to learn tennis, this tennis school provides lessons for beginning, intermediate and advanced players from the ages of 5 to 18. Three classes are separated by age, 5 to 10 years old, 11 to 14 years old, and 14 to 18 years old. The youngest group will practice tennis from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the older two groups from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The minimum amount for the program is $100 for 5 to 10 year olds, and $200 for older children. The minimum amount covers one day a week, for a month. But parents can sign their kids up to attend more than one day a week for an additional charge. To learn more, visit https://valtertennis.com/tennis-academy/.
Long Beach Yacht Club: One of the local yacht clubs offers various opportunities for children and teens to learn sailing. The High School Sailing Program began on Aug. 22 and will continue until Jan. 4. Participation costs $1,300 per teen. Teens will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Junior Sailing Program for younger children will be held from Sep. 13 to Dec. 15. Younger kids will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Prices for the junior program were not immediately available on the club’s website. For more information, visit https://www.lbyc.org/.
Craft + Light Creative Arts Studio: This local art (5614 2nd St.) studio will be hosting an after-school program for kids from kindergarten to the 5th grade that will take place from Sept. 11 to Dec. 6. The classes will be held on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., and will range from 60 to 75 minutes long. Parents are asked to be there at least 5 minutes before the class ends to pick up their children.
Scholars Collective: Kids will participate in a variety of STEM projects and receive help with their homework. Kids from the ages of 4 to 14 will be able to stay from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendance will cost $30 a day or $400 a month. For more information, visit https://www.aboutscholars.com/.
City of Signal Hill: This public after-school program is for kindergarten through 5th grade students who primarily attend Alvarado and Signal Hill Elementary Schools. City staff will pick up kids from both schools and take them to the Signal Hill Youth Center. Children will participate in a variety of sport activities and arts & crafts. Each child will also receive a snack. Prices vary, but usually a two-week period costs $60 for children who reside in Signal Hill and $80 for those who live outside the city.
City of Long Beach: The City provides a free after-school program at numerous parks throughout the city, for children between the ages of 5 and 12.
The after-school programs at the following parks will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.:
- Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.)
- Cesar E. Chavez Park (401 Golden Ave.)
- Coolidge Park (352 E Neece St.)
- Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.)
- El Dorado West Park (2800 N Studebaker Rd.)
- King Park (1950 Lemon Ave.)
- Ramona Park (3301 E. 65th St.)
- Seaside Park (1401 Chestnut Ave.)
- Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.)
- Somerset Park (1500 E. Carson St.)
- Stearns Champions Park (4520 E. 23rd St.)
- Wardlow Park (3457 Stanbridge Ave.)
The after-school programs at the following parks will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.:
- Whaley Park (5620 E Atherton St.)
- College Estates Park (808 Stevely Ave.)
- MacArthur Park (1321 E Anaheim St.)
Pan American Park (5157 E Centralia St.) will host an after-school program Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
