Extended Learning Time
Extensive research supports the benefits of a longer school day and year, especially for children whose families deal with poverty, homelessness, incarceration, unemployment and other devastating socioeconomic issues.   At The New School, a partnership with Atlantic Street Center was created to provide academic support during the summer targeted to students identified by New School staff as needing additional help. This program is on hiatus while the New School is in its temporary location in Columbia City.

Before and After School
Before- and after-school time is also key to accelerated academic achievement. The Foundation contracts with a service provider at each school and families pay for before- and after-school care on a sliding fee schedule.

Kids Company  provides services at The New School at South Shore. Staff areeligible to participate in High/Scope training as well as other professional development opportunities offered to school staff in order to provide consistent adult/child interactions and continuity of academic goals throughout the child’s day. Furthermore, unlike most before and after school programs, this one operates under the premise that the space belongs to the children, not the teachers. Students may stay in the same classroom before, during and after school and the entire facility is available for program use.

This change in focus makes transitions seamless and teacher collaboration optimal. The long-term effect is an increased professionalism for before- and after-school programs. Both programs maximize private support from the Foundation and other sources to provide scholarships for families who cannot afford the program, and to fund staff professional development.

In addition to these programs, the school offers other after school activities such as hip hop dance, art, basketball, tennis, Polynesian dance, math club and drama.