Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 22:39     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is enrolled in aftercare in middle school, it’s because either their parents don’t trust them to be home alone or their parents want them out of the house as long as possible because they are annoying. I wouldn’t send a functional kid to aftercare after elementary school.


Some kids don’t live near a metro or bus stop. Some parents work close enough to the school that they prefer to pick up their child. Some kids don’t live in a neighborhood their parents feel is safe enough for them to traverse alone. Some children have parents/caregivers that live in different places, and one parent might live much further away. Yes, many middle school kids get themselves around (mine included) and that’s great. But different families have different circumstances, and that’s ok. It’s nice when an aftercare option is available.


In all of these scenarios, why wouldn't the kid just walk the quarter mile to Northeast Library and wait there for their parent?


Aftercare is totally free at SH, so why not sign them up and see if they meet kids that way? Seems likely to be more fun for them than heading to the library solo every day and since it’s free…
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 19:11     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is enrolled in aftercare in middle school, it’s because either their parents don’t trust them to be home alone or their parents want them out of the house as long as possible because they are annoying. I wouldn’t send a functional kid to aftercare after elementary school.


Some kids don’t live near a metro or bus stop. Some parents work close enough to the school that they prefer to pick up their child. Some kids don’t live in a neighborhood their parents feel is safe enough for them to traverse alone. Some children have parents/caregivers that live in different places, and one parent might live much further away. Yes, many middle school kids get themselves around (mine included) and that’s great. But different families have different circumstances, and that’s ok. It’s nice when an aftercare option is available.


In all of these scenarios, why wouldn't the kid just walk the quarter mile to Northeast Library and wait there for their parent?
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:59     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
There are exceptions, of course, and some families have unique circumstances. But overall, aftercare in middle school is chaotic, unorganized, and barely rises to the level of babysitting.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:47     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Anonymous wrote:If a kid is enrolled in aftercare in middle school, it’s because either their parents don’t trust them to be home alone or their parents want them out of the house as long as possible because they are annoying. I wouldn’t send a functional kid to aftercare after elementary school.


Some kids don’t live near a metro or bus stop. Some parents work close enough to the school that they prefer to pick up their child. Some kids don’t live in a neighborhood their parents feel is safe enough for them to traverse alone. Some children have parents/caregivers that live in different places, and one parent might live much further away. Yes, many middle school kids get themselves around (mine included) and that’s great. But different families have different circumstances, and that’s ok. It’s nice when an aftercare option is available.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2026 17:25     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
If a kid is enrolled in aftercare in middle school, it’s because either their parents don’t trust them to be home alone or their parents want them out of the house as long as possible because they are annoying. I wouldn’t send a functional kid to aftercare after elementary school.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 16:26     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Both my kids' charter middle schools had aftercare, so it's not as uncommon as you think. But it is also very common for kids to commute on their own in middle school.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 16:01     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Your kid is old enough to go home.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 18:45     Subject: Re:Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
In addition to AllStars aftercare, yes there are numerous sports teams and clubs. Most teachers also have tutoring at least 1-2 times a week until 4:30pm.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 16:53     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:After School All Stars offers aftercare at Stuart-Hobson. There aren't enough spots for everyone so you have to apply (though it's free). It starts mid- to late-September. It is basically babysitting. Allegedly students are supposed to do homework then do structured activities. Separate from ASAS, there are clubs that meet once or more times a week after school, typically 3:30-4:30 as well as some teachers offer tutoring, also typically 3:30-4:30.


Thank you. We don't need aftercare everyday, just a few days a week. So instead of signing up for aftercare, I can just wait until my kid starts school and encourage her to join a few clubs?



At a different school, but I'm OK with my sixth grader either coming home with a key, or going to a library for a while and meeting us there. Also they have clubs a couple times a week.

Aftercare doesn't feel as necessary at this age.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 16:36     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Anonymous wrote:After School All Stars offers aftercare at Stuart-Hobson. There aren't enough spots for everyone so you have to apply (though it's free). It starts mid- to late-September. It is basically babysitting. Allegedly students are supposed to do homework then do structured activities. Separate from ASAS, there are clubs that meet once or more times a week after school, typically 3:30-4:30 as well as some teachers offer tutoring, also typically 3:30-4:30.


Thank you. We don't need aftercare everyday, just a few days a week. So instead of signing up for aftercare, I can just wait until my kid starts school and encourage her to join a few clubs?
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 16:11     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
After School All Stars offers aftercare at Stuart-Hobson. There aren't enough spots for everyone so you have to apply (though it's free). It starts mid- to late-September. It is basically babysitting. Allegedly students are supposed to do homework then do structured activities. Separate from ASAS, there are clubs that meet once or more times a week after school, typically 3:30-4:30 as well as some teachers offer tutoring, also typically 3:30-4:30.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 15:40     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
We are at a SH feeder and 5th graders do clubs but I don't know any that do aftercare. It seems to taper off starting in 3rd. I think it is partly because clubs are a good value for the money but adding aftercare on top of clubs gets expensive, and the value add for older kids isn't there.

Ludlow, if it isn't obvious.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 15:35     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
There’s aftercare in middle school? At our elementary school there aren’t even any fifth graders (though a small handful of 4th graders).
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 14:50     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Interesting question! My DC is headed there in the fall and I hadn't even thought to ask if they have it. I assumed that kids would do after school activities or go home. Will be interested to see if anyone responds.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2026 14:04     Subject: Aftercare at Stuart Hobson
Can anyone tell me what they do? I assume some homework time and free time. But any structured activities? Do your kids enjoy it?

Thanks all.