At Brightside Academy, it¡¯s all about bringing out the best in your child. Whether your child chooses to nurture their inner scientist, artist, teacher, doctor, CEO, or all of the above, we want to give them the freedom to follow all of their curiosities and passions!
Our mission is to provide school-age families from all backgrounds with access to a high-quality, out-of-school experience that heightens their ability to compete as lifelong learners in an ever-changing world.
What does an excellent out-of-school education look like? We¡¯re glad you asked.
Before and after school care for children 6 weeks to 12-years-old
Extended care from 6:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.
Operating Hours That Make Sense
A Clean, Safe, and Engaging Environment
Locations Close To Your Home & Work
A Culture of Collaboration & Kindness
Individual Attention Through An Average Student to Teacher Ratio of 12:1
Instilling and Reinforcing Respect, Fun, and Leadership
Snacks and hot meals are provided for free to those who qualify
A Project-Based Curriculum
Our school age program follows a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and project-based curriculum. In addition, children take part in individual and group activities, which include motor skill development, dramatic and creative play, math and language development, art, music and movement, literacy skills, and science exploration.
During the school year, homework assistance is provided. To support social-emotional learning, Brightside Academy utilizes the Second Step curriculum. Themes within this curriculum include listening, following directions, empathy, emotion management, making friends, and problem-solving skills.
Parents who work outside the home are often challenged to find supervised care for their children before and after school. In fact, nearly two-thirds of U.S. children have parents who work away from home. Brightside Academy¡¯s Before & After School Care supports busy families with a safe and engaging learning environment for their children when they are not in school.
We Offer:
Before and after school care for children 5- to 12-years-old
Nutritious meals and snacks included
Homework help and tutoring
Passionate and caring teachers
Enriching activities: drama, art, technology and more
Payment through vouchers/subsidies
Safe and secure environment
Snacks and hot meals are provided for free to those who qualify
Brightside Academy offers a well-balanced after school program where we strive to meet the needs of the whole child. In addition to helping children meet personal academic goals, we recognize our responsibility to give children a chance to socialize, play (in well-planned environments), have time outdoors, and have nutritious meals.
While Brightside Academy can¡¯t promise accuracy and/or completion of homework, we do support the children in the following ways:
Brightside Academy is proud to offer cutting-edge, modern-day facilities that grant your school-aged child unique opportunities to investigate and explore real-time adventures that stimulate their development.
Indoor gyms that promote purposeful play and peer to peer engagement!
Creative environments that stimulate knowledge in art, science, and the world.
Safety-first thought process that includes secure entrances/exits with sign-in journals.
Janitorial and maintenance techs that keep everything spotless and in working order.
Education suites that are equipped with everything needed from books, technology, learning materials and supplies.
For over 30 years, Brightside Academy has provided high-level child care and early education to children throughout Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. As a NECPA-recognized organization committed to surpassing Keystone STARS standards, we focus on recruiting qualified professionals, emphasizing high-quality teacher-child interactions for positive outcomes in early education.
From fostering teamwork and exploring architecture to nurturing plants, understanding economy through a mock grocery store, and delving into the enchanting world of imagination with STEAM activities, our diverse programs build a strong classroom community while sparking curiosity and innovation in every child.
School-Age Curriculum
Building Our Classroom Community
By definition, ¡°community¡± means a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. A classroom community is an environment in which students feel valued as individuals, and connected to their teacher and to each other. Students have confidence in their need to belong, be competent, experience independence, and have fun. By focusing on building a community inside of the classroom, the teacher can get to know his/her students and prepare the students for a year of learning and cooperating together.
Highlighted activities:
Exercise
Our bodies are made to move. Children wiggle, stretch, bend, jump, hop, bounce, and climb consistently while they are awake. This study begins and focuses on children¡¯s natural desire for movement. During this study, children will explore many types of exercise, observe people while they are exercising, and learn about the mechanics of movement and how to use special equipment to stay safe when exercising. They will also learn about nutrition and the connection between exercise and healthy bones and muscles.
Highlighted activities:
Architecture
Architecture is the design of buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments. Examples of architecture are everywhere. These include our houses, apartment buildings, barns, schools, libraries, hospitals, office buildings, and stores. Students are in constant contact with architecture when they walk through the doors of their school, peer out a window, or climb a set of stairs. A study of architecture enables students to explore their surroundings, including their home and school environments, to examine the features of architecture. This study provides many opportunities for hands-on exploration.
Highlighted activities:
Seeds
Seeds are fascinating! They¡¯re everywhere, and they come in many different shapes and sizes. They even play a role in our everyday lives. We eat them, plant them, remove them from fruits and vegetables, harvest them, and use them to create. Because seeds are a part of our everyday lives, students will have a variety of opportunities to notice, examine, and experiment with them throughout the day.
Highlighted Activities:
Sports
A classroom study of sports encourages students to explore different sports, discovering where each can be played, what the rules are, and what equipment and skills are needed to play.
Highlighted activities:
Social-Emotional Curriculum ¨C Second Step
Second Step is a social-emotional curriculum that we use with our preschool and school age students. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a developmental process that helps children learn skills to support healthy development and relationships. Research shows that SEL not only improves academic achievement by an average of 11%, but it also increases prosocial behaviors (such as kindness, sharing, and empathy), improves student attitudes toward school, and reduces depression and stress among students.
At Brightside Academy, every day is an adventure, filled with learning, laughter and lifelong friendships. We¡¯re your child¡¯s home away from home!
