Beacon understands that for many families and children the school day does not end with the last class. We offer a number of options for the extended day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (all with an additional fee). Drop-off for the regular school day begins at 8:30 (no additional fee).
Beacon Extended School Time: B.E.S.T.
Beacon’s after-school program is a social, recreational, and arts-in-nature program that provides a safe and engaging place for students to interact after school. Trained staff members provide a balance between structured activities and free play. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, musical activities, and physical recreation.
Students enjoy the same instructor and group of students their own age for the school year, so students can connect with children and adults beyond their regular school-day classes in a caring atmosphere where community is cultivated. We serve a snack, and the afternoon includes outdoor play time. In the Middle School, B.E.S.T. students can also participate in Homework Club 3:30-4:30 p.m. and in after-school athletics teams. See a complete list of Middle School enrichment activities.
All B.E.S.T. staff members work in classrooms as teacher assistants from noon to 2:30 p.m. every day with the students who are under their care after school. Under the supervision and modeling of the core classroom teachers, B.E.S.T. staff get to know the children and their interests and needs. The diverse staff carry forward Beacon’s uniquely caring and respectful school culture into the after-school program, utilizing the same conflict resolution and character development techniques that are central to the Beacon curriculum.
Monthly, the B.E.S.T. staff organizes special activity days for all participants that provide an opportunity for children to interact with students of other ages. These activities might include:
- Fall Festival
- It’s A Small World Celebration
- Activity Day
- Art Show
- Staff vs Student Basketball Game and Barbecue
- Fun Fair
- Beacon Olympics
- Kid’s Pick Activities
Enrichment Classes
The extended day program offers a variety of enrichment classes beyond the school curriculum for an additional fee. Registration for these programs is on a first-come, first-served basis. Details are available at the beginning of each trimester. Some of the classes include:
- Fitness in Transit (gymnastics for preschool-grade 1)
- Mad Science (kindergarten-grade 1; grades 2-5)
- Berkeley Chess School (grades 2-5)
- Lego Engineering (grades 2-5).
The Beacon Family Association offers limited scholarships for these enrichment classes based on families’ financial need. Contact Lori Roberts for scholarship information.