Youth Education & Development

WHEDco's After School Programs provide arts engagement activities.

Engaging the mind, body and artistic spirit of youth

All children deserve a quality education and access to academic resources. WHEDco reaches more than 1,000 students annually through youth education and development programs that provide educational and cultural opportunities, while empowering students to think critically, make smart career choices, and contribute responsibly as leaders in their community.

Our programs are housed at the following schools:

The After School Enrichment Program at PS/MS 218
Serves over 450 students grades K-8 at PS/MS 218. Our after-school program focuses on: ELA and STEM project-based learning activities; arts enrichment programming, including visual arts, Latin percussion, violin, dance and drama classes; chess club; and physical fitness activities. For more info about PS/MS 218, click here!
Highbridge Green School MS ExTRA Extended School Day Initiative
At the Highbridge Green School, WHEDco provides academic and arts enrichment activities that mirror our After School program at PS/MS 218 to approximately 400 middle school students (6th through 8th grade) during an extended school day. For more info, click here!
South Bronx Early College Academy (SBECA) Charter School
 In August of 2015, in partnership with NYU and Lehman College, WHEDco opened the South Bronx Early College Academy (SBECA), which employs a model that gives students the benefit of personalized instruction from teams of experienced educators and teaching interns. WHEDco provides extended learning time, arts enrichment through the Bronx Music Heritage Center, and wrap-around support services for children and families that builds on our 20 years of work in the South Bronx. Learn more! 

Our youth development initiatives and programs include:

Summer Arts Day Camp at PS/MS 218
Serves over 300 students every summer through STEM and ELA programming focused on reducing summer learning-loss. Students’ minds and bodies remain stimulated during the summer through exercise, intellectually-stimulating workshops in areas such as poetry and journalism, and field trips to places such as the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Hall of Science.
Project STEP (Students Toward Educational Promise) for Middle and High School Students
A program that engages 125 middle school students (grades 6-8) in service learning to develop a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement. Project STEP empowers students to make their own decisions about their education, through one-on-one guidance through the NYC high school application process, introductions to a wide array of high-performing public, private and parochial high schools, and preparation for high school entrance exams.
JAM (Just Ask Me) Sexual Education Program for High School Students
A student-led sexual education program that empowers high school students to serve as peer educators, become ambassadors of sexual education, and emphasize healthy decision-making to Project STEP students.
The Teen College Access Program
Connects 60 high school students to internship opportunities and other resume building activities, SAT prep and college tours, and cultural outings such as Broadway shows and professional sporting events.