Welcome to Apple Afterschool, Inc.
Note: Apple Afterschool has a beautiful ocean view campus and long before Covid-19 we have always spent considerable time outdoors with students learning and discovering !
Exceptional Educational Opportunities
Apple Afterschool is the only afterschool in Santa Cruz County located OFF CAMPUS and is NOT part of a pre-‐school or recreational program. Our ocean view setting with lots of windows and natural lighting is set amidst flowers and a huge lawn and provides a wonderful non-‐institutionalized environment to relax, explore, and continue learning after a rigorous day of public school.
Welcome to Apple!
Our unique afterschool enrichment program was designed for students in grades K-6. As former public school teachers (and founders of the much acclaimed Magic Apple School which operated for 40+ years), we firmly believe in the many values of a public school education. We took advantage of our public school experience in designing a unique curriculum that enriches students with a multitude of exciting lessons and activities, all presented in a wonderfully supportive multi-aged setting. Unlike recreation programs, Apple's teachers all have advanced college degrees and considerable teaching experience.
Unique Enrichment Experiences
Apple students are actively involved in their education. When students first arrive we all meet as a group to share and catch up. At that time teachers also present daily recess choices for students: art projects, p.e. group games, cooking classes in our huge kitchen, drama and skit opportunities, and an awesome collection of manipulatives and p.e. equipment). Lessons at Apple center around monthly themes that have been carefully planned to be of high interest to our students (The rainforest, rocks and minerals, our community, etc.) and also include our beloved long-standing studies (e.g. animal of the week, heroes of history, Greek mythology, etc.). Classes are presented in a dramatic high energy style and is typically followed by interactive “hands on” experiences for students to reinforce lessons (students may play an outdoor group game involving animal classification studies, go on a hike to identify different types of spider webs, or whip up an apple crisp after a lesson on Johnny Appleseed). As one Apple parent describes, “Apple’s great at sneaking in the learning—my son just loves the active learning style and enthusiastically shares so much of what he's learned when he arrives home."
Character Development and Education
Among our most important goals is to assist our students develop strong social and conflict resolution skills. Much of Apple's activities involve cooperative learning groups and as our students learn from one another we often hear from them that "Apple feels like family. We spend a great deal of time presenting values education classes that includes ample time for students to share their feelings and concerns in a safe and supportive environment. Apple students also participate in many team building exercises including music and dance, drama skits, class discussions, and conflict resolution techniques that helps in developing core values including respect, responsibility, caring, fairness and citizenship. Our students also grow very strong in self-‐esteem and confidence through participating in our annual music and dance performances!
Apple Afterschool . . .help your student begin with the best!
