Extracurricular activities are an essential part of a student's education, providing them with the opportunity to explore their interests and develop skills outside of the classroom. However, these activities can come with a hefty price tag. In Brooklyn, New York, the cost of extracurricular activities varies depending on the program and the school. The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) provides funding for extracurricular programs in New York City, which helps to keep costs down.
This agreement is still in effect for the current school year. However, there has been a sharp rise in the cost of permits for extracurricular activities at Department of Education facilities, making it difficult for after-school programs to open their doors. The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) offers a variety of after-school classes for high school and middle school students. These classes include help with test preparation, college admissions, and more.
The cost of these classes is typically around $100 per child, which can be difficult for families with multiple students in high school at the same time. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable and even free after-school programs available in New York City. These programs offer sports, arts, academic studies, and other activities for children. Nonprofit organizations such as Communities In Schools provide support to low-income families to encourage children to stay in school and participate in extracurricular activities.
The Lower East Side Girls Club is a state-of-the-art 35,000 square foot facility located in Alphabet City that offers extracurricular programs for high school and middle school girls who live or attend school in the area. The New York Public Library (NYPL) also offers free homework help from tutors and reading ambassadors at certain centers from Monday to Thursday. According to the Huntington National Bank and Communities in Schools' annual Backpack Index, there has been an increase of 7% in the cost of extracurricular activities at all grade levels this year. The increase is lowest in elementary school, but even there parents can expect an increase of about 3%.
Extracurricular activities are an important part of a student's education, but parents should be aware that these activities come with a cost. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable and even free after-school programs available in New York City that can help families save money while still providing their children with enriching experiences.
