Discovery Club After School
Join an active and engaging licensed after-school program for children in grades K-5, conveniently located at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC. Interested in Discovery Club for the current 2023-2024 school year? Please contact us at discoveryclub@jccgb.org for more information about availability.
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now OPEN!
Discover where the fun and learning happens by scheduling a tour. Contact us today!
Discovery Club is a vibrant, welcoming community filled with enrichment programming, Jewish celebrations and values, learning, and fun! We are a fully-licensed program by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Transportation is available from select schools, and our program is open to all.
We are currently running a waitlist for the 2024-25 school year. Registration for the waitlist is at no cost, we will not charge you a tuition deposit unless we can offer you a spot in the program. If you are interested in the program, we encourage you to fill out the registration forms so we have your information. Once a spot opens up for your child(ren), we will be in touch. If you have any questions, please email discoveryclub@jccgb.org. We are happy to help!
Designed for Your Family
Discovery Club operates after regular school hours (Monday–Friday from 3–6pm) and on early-release days (starting from 12:30pm).
We are proud to provide:
- Transportation from select schools.
- Jewish celebrations and experiences.
- Child-directed, play-based experiences and programs.
- Expert-led enrichment classes.
- Social-emotional awareness and support.
- A weekly 30-minute group swim lesson (depending on instructor availability).
- A variety of healthy snack options.
- Kosher pizza program on Wednesday early release days (at an additional cost)
Curated for Your Child
We’re a one-stop shop for expert-led enrichment activities and programs in arts, sciences, sports, swim, and more.
Your children will take advantage of the robust JCC facilities, including the basketball & tennis courts, and indoor & outdoor play spaces.
Our curriculum integrates:
- Jewish values and holiday resources, celebrations, and experiences.
- Special events and guest experts.
- Fun physical activity and outdoor play.
- Social action projects around inclusivity, kindness, and community.
JOIN THE FUN WITHOUT THE HASSLE
Worry-Free Pick-Up
We provide transportation from select elementary schools in Newton and Needham with local bussing companies, based on availability and interest. We generally service the following schools:
Needham
- Broadmeadow
- Eliot
- Mitchell
- Sunita L. Williams
Newton
- Bowen
- Countryside
- Franklin
- Mason-Rice
- Memorial Spaulding
- Zervas
Daily Schedule
3–4pm (12:30pm on early release days)
- Arrival
- Healthy Snacks With Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
- Jewish Holiday Celebrations
- Indoor/Outdoor Free Play and Structured “Snack-Tivities”
4–5pm | Activity Block: Children choose from expert-led activities in:
- Arts, Sciences, Sports, Swim, Jewish Learning, Hebrew Language, and More!
- Homework Support
- Indoor/Outdoor Free-Play
- Games
- Movement Activities
5–5:30pm
- Small Group Activities
- Special Projects
5:30–6pm
- Closing Circle and Clean Up
- PJ Library® Story Time
- Departure
Tuition
Rates for the 2024-25 School Year
| Monthly Cost | Optional Transportation | |
| 2 Days/Week | $426 | +$158 |
| 3 Days/Week | $638 | +$225 (5% Savings!) |
| 4 Days/Week | $851 | +$285 (10% Savings!) |
| 5 Days/Week | $1,045 ($200 savings!) | +$336 (15% Savings!) |
Yearly tuition is divided into 10 equal monthly payments.
Add-Ons
| All Early Release Wednesdays (Newton) | +$1,332/year |
| All Early Release Wednesdays (Needham) | +$540/year |
| Any Additional Early Release Days (Newton) | +$36/day |
Unmatched Value
- Sign up for three or more days of Discovery Club and receive a one-year JCC Greater Boston family membership — a $2,000 value!
- Get in on savings!
- Discounts are available for siblings, JCC Early Learning Center families (who have siblings at a JCC Early Learning Center or who have graduated in 2024), and existing JCC member families. Please note that the discounts apply solely to the base tuition and do not encompass add-ons such as transportation, early release days, and pizza.
- Register for all five days and save $200 off yearly tuition and 15% off transportation!
- The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial assistance to families who meet Massachusetts median income guidelines. The amount of assistance and the number of awards given by Discovery Club depend on the availability of funds, the overall enrollment, and the level of need of the participants. Contact us to learn more.
Meet the Team
Discovery Club Program Director
Heather Baranick
Discovery Club Program Director
Heather is an experienced educator with over twenty-five years of experience in early childhood and school age care as a group leader, site coordinator, teacher, assistant director, director and early intervention specialist. Heather truly loves every aspect of working with children, teachers and families. She strongly believes in fostering children’s emotional and developmental growth through play and hopes to instill a love of learning during these important years.
Program Coordinator, DIscovery Club
Frank Petrie
Program Coordinator, DIscovery Club
Frank is a dedicated educator with nearly a decade of experience. He specializes in teaching S.T.E.M. and nature-based activities at the JCC of Greater Boston. In addition to his focus on science, he holds the position of Program Coordinator for Discovery Club and Family Programming, where he oversees the daily operations and ensures that the program is adequately supplied.
Program Coordinator, Discovery Club
Noah McNerney
Program Coordinator, Discovery Club
Noah, a Brandeis University studio art graduate, discovered his interest and passion for nurturing young minds while working as an art instructor at a local summer camp. Since 2021, he’s been an essential member of the JCC Discovery Club team, engaging the children with kindness and patience. Noah’s diverse background in performing arts, visual arts, and art history enriches his ability to create fun and engaging activities. He’s dedicated to fostering creativity and joy in children, drawing inspiration from his experiences in Jewish institutions and his commitment to serving the JCC community.
Program Coordinator, Discovery Club
Marlee Rosenthal
Program Coordinator, Discovery Club
Marlee’s foundation in art and education fuels her joy in infusing creativity into the JCC programs she facilitates for children. Engaging with young students brings her satisfaction, as she enjoys their natural ability to find wonder in life’s simplest aspects often overlooked by adults. Their boundless enthusiasm and inquisitiveness serve as a constant wellspring of inspiration.
Support Discovery Club
Help offer families high-quality, innovative, Jewish values-driven afterschool care.
Get in Touch
Discovery Club After School
333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459
617.558.6483
discoveryclub@jccgb.org