In Jewelry making we use many materials and techniques to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces, beads, and rings, including wire, paper, clay, an assortment of beads/charms, and string. We make our own beads out of paper and clay, and learn different knot techniques to make bracelets.

Students will learn the basic rules, skills, and sportsmanship to help improve their soccer game. All levels welcome!

In Jewelry making we use many materials and techniques to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces, beads, and rings, including wire, paper, clay, an assortment of beads/charms, and string. We make our own beads out of paper and clay, and learn different knot techniques to make bracelets.

Inspired by their favorite comic book artists and armed with their imagination, student create characters and story lines, first in single panels, then in comic strips, and finally creating complete comic books at the end of each semester.

Diamond art is a craft that teaches how to create picture painting through the use of sparkling colored resin diamonds placed on a grid. Explore and create works of art that you will be proud of. 

Discover the power of ART in a safe, encouraging and fun environment. Through their brush strokes, your child will healthily express their emotions and communicate their thoughts. Each session will allow your child to build their self awareness while simultaneously nurturing their creativity. Unlike a traditional art class, brush strokes allows your child to use what they're feeling as the starting point for their masterpieces. Let your child experience art in a new and exciting way!   

Get ready to dive into a world of color, creativity, and imagination! In this fun and hands-on art class, young artists will explore the exciting worlds of painting and sculpture through a variety of materials and techniques. Students will learn to mix colors, paint with different tools, and create their own 2D masterpieces—then bring their ideas to life in 3D using clay, paper mache, and recycled materials.

This class offers a multi-faceted approach to stimulating children's intellect and emotions. Through participation, children can develop their social and emotional skills, gain confidence, and learn to collaborate with others while expressing their own individual ideas.

Diamond art is a craft that teaches how to create picture painting through the use of sparkling colored resin diamonds placed on a grid. Explore and create works of art that you will be proud of. 

Discover the power of ART in a safe, encouraging and fun environment. Through their brush strokes, your child will healthily express their emotions and communicate their thoughts. Each session will allow your child to build their self awareness while simultaneously nurturing their creativity. Unlike a traditional art class, brush strokes allows your child to use what they're feeling as the starting point for their masterpieces. Let your child experience art in a new and exciting way!   

Students will learn the basics of tennis in a fun, active and supportive team environment!

Let your child step into the exciting world of fencing—an Olympic sport that combines speed, strategy, and skill! Our Youth Fencing Class introduces kids to the fundamentals of the sport in a safe, supportive, and energetic environment.

Broadway performers help students develop singing, dancing and acting skills. Students work as a cast throughout the semester on scenes and musical production numbers. At the end of each semester, the class will perform on stage for family and friends!

Need help teaching your children new math concepts?

Want your child to receive extra assistance from a certified DOE teacher?

Homework help clubs allows students to receive professional homework assistance and tutoring from a PS 281 Educator. 

tudents will learn the basics of tennis in a fun, active and supportive team environment!

An introduction to ballet vocabulary and technique. Students develop strength, alignment, musicality, and the grace that is inherent in the form. Dancers in our ballet classes are prominently featured in each semester's dance performance.

An introduction to ballet vocabulary and technique. Students develop strength, alignment, musicality, and the grace that is inherent in the form. Dancers in our ballet classes are prominently featured in each semester's dance performance.

Students will learn the basics of tennis in a fun, active and supportive team environment!

In this class, students will learn everything they need to know to play the world's greatest role playing game: Dungeons and Dragons. Students will start by creating their own adventurer, with their own unique backstory, goals, and motivations. The players will then work together while they explore the vast worlds of D&D. Students might explore a dark dungeon, ruined city, a long forgotten temple deep within a dense jungle, or protect a village from the dangers that lurk beyond it. Students will solve puzzles, and work with other players while developing important social and emotional skills such as: empathy, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and more. All while battling fantastic monsters, and discovering mystical magical items and other treasure.

Need help teaching your children new math concepts?

Want your child to receive extra assistance from a certified DOE teacher?

Homework help clubs allows students to receive professional homework assistance and tutoring from a PS 281 Educator. 

Students learn self-defense, focus, concentration and discipline in a non-contact weekly martial arts workout. Classes are grouped by age and belt level. All levels work on forms, and bag work: kicks, punches, blocks and footwork. At the end of each semester, we have an exhibition and test, where students have an opportunity for belt advancement (by teacher recommendation).

Together, the Dungeon Master (or DM) and players create an exciting story where their bold adventurers confront deadly perils. Even if the group doesn’t complete the adventure successfully, the good time and memories make everyone a winner!

Let your child step into the exciting world of fencing—an Olympic sport that combines speed, strategy, and skill! Our Youth Fencing Class introduces kids to the fundamentals of the sport in a safe, supportive, and energetic environment.

We are proud to offer Youth Swim Lessons as a choice in our After-School Programs. Children receive the same instruction and swim experience as our Youth swim lessons.  Your child will be picked up directly from their classroom at school dismissal, have a snack, and be transported to the Downtown Community Center for childcare activities provided by our After-school staff.

To find out more on our After-School programs, please click here.

Please note that swim offerings and schedules vary by school. 

If you attend a school that is not in our network, you may sign your student up for drop-off After School at the Downtown Community Center.

Students learn basketball skills, good sportsmanship, and sense of team spirit. Players are divided into groups based on experience and skill level. Each class session includes a lesson filled with drills and a game or scrimmage. 

Students will experiment with different mediums such as knitting, crocheting, macrame, watercolor, self- portraits and more! Children will use their creativity and hone their expressive skills as they delve into a class full of imagination, handicraft activities and fun!!

With an eye on presentation, this class will explore science topics from electricity to ecosystems, from the biology of insects to the wonders of the solar system and beyond. Each semester will culminate in an exciting presentation for parents and peers.

Students learn self-defense, focus, concentration and discipline in a non-contact weekly martial arts workout. Classes are grouped by age and belt level. All levels work on forms, and bag work: kicks, punches, blocks and footwork. At the end of each semester, we have an exhibition and test, where students have an opportunity for belt advancement (by teacher recommendation).

Students learn self-defense, focus, concentration and discipline in a non-contact weekly martial arts workout. Classes are grouped by age and belt level. All levels work on forms, and bag work: kicks, punches, blocks and footwork. At the end of each semester, we have an exhibition and test, where students have an opportunity for belt advancement (by teacher recommendation).

Students will hone their skills as photographers as they learn the basics of composition, lighting, exposure, and post production!