DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery
By
DHSP Childcare Afterschool Programs, DHSP Community Schools, and DHSP Cambridge Youth Programs
This lottery includes several different afterschool program options for children in Kindergarten to 8th grade. All programs promote children's social emotional growth and healthy relationships.
Sign-up Information
Ages: 5 to 14.
Grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Cambridge residents only.
Organization affiliates only.
Eligibility is based on grade level. Children must be entering K-8th grade in September 2024. Applicants must be Cambridge residents or children of City of Cambridge employees.
Wheelchair accessible.
Application required
- Specific dates
The link to the application will be available at www.cambridgema.gov/AfterschoolLottery at the start of the registration period. (This application applies to all DHSP Afterschool Programs listed above).
- Families can also access FAQs, multilingual resources, past data, step-by-step instructions, tuition charts and other information on the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery Webpage.
- Families will be notified of their child's placement offer at an afterschool program or in the Waiting Pool in mid-June.
Families who are currently enrolled have the option of re-enroll at the same site:
- Children currently enrolled in a Childcare Afterschool, Community Schools, King Open Extended Day, or Cambridge Youth Program for the 2023-2024 school year can re-enroll in the same program for 2024-2025 by completing a DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery application.
- Re-enrollment applications must be completed by the May 17 deadline.
Cost
- Tuition for DHSP Afterschool Programs is based on household size and income. Tuition charts will be posted on this webpage closer to the application period.
- Tuition is free for 6-8th graders participating in CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School afterschool programs.
- Sliding scale based on income
- Free for some residents
Location
- In-person only.
15 Upton Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Riverside
89 Elm Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Cambridgeport and The Port
225 Windsor Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Cambridgeport and The Port
61 Willow St.
Cambridge, MA 02141
United States
Area 2, Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, and Mid Cambridge
70 Rindge Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140
United States
North Cambridge
44 Linnaean Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Neighborhood 9
110 Cushing Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Strawberry Hill and West Cambridge
158 Spring Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
United States
East Cambridge
850 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
United States
Wellington Harrington
102 Putnam Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Riverside
12 Gilmore St
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Riverside
40 Granite Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Cambridgeport
243 Harvard Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Mid Cambridge
70 Rindge Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02140
United States
Cambridge Highlands, Neighborhood 9, and North Cambridge
680 Huron Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
Strawberry Hill and West Cambridge
359 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Mid Cambridge and Riverside
- Transportation from school provided for some eligible students; check with your child's school.
Locations vary based on each program, not all are available to every age group. DHSP does not provide transportation to afterschool sites. CPS provides transportation between schools and some sites. If your child chooses to attend an afterschool site and CPS does not provide transportation between your child’s school and afterschool site, you will be responsible for transportation.
Dates and Times
This program runs during the school year.
Monday through Friday.
Programs run September - June each school year, start and end dates vary. Programs' start and end times vary. See the DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery Page for more information.
Additional information
The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) offers afterschool programs designed to develop children’s social and emotional growth and build healthy relationships. Childcare Afterschool programs and Community Schools afterschool programs are open to Kindergarten through 5th graders. Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP) Pre-teen / Middle School Programs are open to 4th – 8th graders. The King Open Extended Day program is available to Kindergarten through 5th graders who attend the King Open School.
- All DHSP afterschool programs are filled through a lottery system. To apply, families must fill out a DHSP Afterschool Programs Lottery application.
- Families can apply to Childcare Afterschool, Community Schools, King Open Extended Day, and Cambridge Youth Programs through the same lottery application.
- Families will be notified of their child's placement offer at an afterschool program or in the Waiting Pool in mid-June.
More information about each program:
Childcare Afterschool programs are open to children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Programs offer project-based learning curriculum that links to Cambridge Public Schools' learning goals. Care is provided 5 days a week from the end of the school day until 5:55 p.m. All classrooms are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Childcare Afterschool programs accept DTA and EEC vouchers.
Community Schools afterschool programs are open to Cambridge children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Programming focuses on educational, cultural, social, and recreational enrichment opportunities. Activities range from cooking and arts to sports and STEAM-related fun. Families have the option of signing up for afterschool programming 2, 3, or 5 days a week.
Cambridge Youth Programs' Pre-Teen / Middle Schools Afterschool Programs are open to Cambridge youth who are pre-teens and middle schoolers in 4th – 8th grade. CYP programming promotes leadership and youth development through enrichment activities, unique experiences, and opportunities to develop relationships with adults and peers. Families have the option of signing up for afterschool programming 2, 3, or 5 days a week.
King Open Extended Day Program is open to Cambridge children in Kindergarten through 5th grade who are enrolled in the King Open School. The afterschool program is completely integrated into the King Open School to support children’s social and academic learning. Children must be students at the King Open School to apply to this program.
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Last updated October 11, 2024.
See all programs from DHSP Childcare Afterschool Programs, DHSP Community Schools, DHSP Cambridge Youth Programs, and King Open Extended Day