After School programs have three main benefits. First, these programs keep children out of trouble and off the streets. Second, they can help students improve upon the lessons they learned during school hours. Since the school day is divided between learning many different subjects (as well as recess and lunch), students may struggle to master a subject in the allotted time. Academic-based After School programs give children the chance to practice and build on what they learn in school. The third benefit of After School programs is the exercise kids get when they partake in recreational and enrichment activities—they get to use their energy and relieve stress.

So what is North Brunswick County doing to provide students with effective After School programs?

One organization, Communities in Schools (CIS) of Brunswick County, has a mission to “enrich the lives of children academically, socially, culturally, emotionally and physically while providing a safe and caring environment.” CIS partners with North Brunswick County Schools to operate After School programs. The CIS After School programs operate in the following North Brunswick schools: Belville Elementary, Supply Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Virginia Williamson Elementary and Leland Middle. 

There are three main components in the CIS program: snacks and socializing (15 minutes), homework assistance/tutoring (75 minutes) and enrichment activities (75-90 minutes.) The program provides enrichment activities to help build assets such as self-esteem, behavior and socialization skills. Activities also include conflict resolution, character education, decision-making skills and service learning projects.

Parents can sign up for the individual programs at their child’s after school location. Each site has an After School Manager who handles their needs. The After School program is open to all Brunswick County School students from kindergarten to eighth grade.

The cost for the elementary programs is $50 per week. During the summer months, the programs operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the cost is $90 per week. The cost for the middle school program is $50 per year, as middle school programs are supported by a grant through the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Transportation is not provided for the After School Programs. Parents are responsible for picking up the students by 6 p.m. The exception would be the award of certain grants that provide transportation specifically for Level 1 or Level 2 students. These grants are generally awarded to the middle school programs.

Brunswick County operates After School programs in all of the county’s eight elementary schools and three of its four middle schools. There is a significant need for volunteers in the programs, as well as additional funding to help sustain them. CIS has a slogan for its programs: Afterschool... ignore it and it will go away. Community involvement is critical to ensure the program’s continued success.

If you are interested in having your child participate in the After School program or in volunteering, visit your school’s website or contact:

The CIS After School Program also provides the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) Project at Belville, Lincoln, and Supply Elementary Schools. 21CCLC provide academic tutoring and enrichment to third through fifth grade students performing below grade level in reading and/or math on state mandated tests. Emphasis is on academic support and remediation, math and reading, character education, parent involvement and drug and violence prevention.

Eligibility for 21CCLC includes all Level I and Level II students in third through fifth grades from Belville, Lincoln and Supply elementary schools. The program operates from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as well as some Saturdays, teacher work days and holidays. Free transportation is provided for all students attending the program.

Students are entered into the program on a first come, first serve basis with completed registration forms. English registration forms and/or Spanish registration forms (manual de padres) are distributed to all eligible students in each of the three schools approximately two to three weeks before the session is scheduled to begin. Forms must be returned promptly to your school’s 21CCLC’s site coordinator, as space is limited.

If you are interested in enrolling your student in the 21st Century Community Learning program contact the project director, Kathy Smith, at (910) 754-9548, or email her at cisafterschool@2khiway.net.