Manhattan Youth After-School at the Downtown Community Center
If your child does not attend any of our partner schools, they can still enjoy and participate in Manhattan Youth's Afterschool programs at the Downtown Community Center!
Drop off begins at 3:15PM, while pick-up is promptly at 5:50PM, daily.
Each day, students will have the option to attend an early class or Choice Time period from 3:30PM to 4:30PM followed by a late class or Choice Time period from 4:40PM until 5:40PM.
At the Downtown Community Center, students will engage in a variety of activities designed to support the socioemotional needs of the whole child. After a long school day, we know that school-aged children thrive when they are provided with a fun environment, where they can connect with their peers, their favorite after-school teachers and experiened group leaders. Our weekly class offerings incude art, ceramics, dance, digital media, cooking, swimming and more!
Monday 3:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Monday 3:30pm
- DCC Claymation (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Appetite for Adventure! (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Coding & Game Design (Grade 2–3)
- DCC Spa Science (Grade 2–3)
- DCC Basketball Skills & Drills (Grade 2–3)
- DCC Ceramics (Grade K– 5)
DCC Claymation
This class will explore a range of techniques for developing concept, writing, designing, animating and editing stop-motion animation projects. Students will create armatures, puppets and sets, and complete the production process of an animated movie using professional capturing and editing equipment and software.
DCC Appetite for Adventure!
A taste of travel for the brave hearted, students will engage the five senses as the classroom hops the globe for a delicious destination! By exploring flavors and styles of multiple cuisines, the travelers will learn about the many aspects that go into everyday foods.
DCC Coding & Game Design
DCC Spa Science
DCC Basketball Skills & Drills
Do you want to take your child’s game to the next level? In the Basketball Skills & Drills class, students will take part in organized structured physical activities to help develop and strengthen their basketball skills. Throughout the course of the semester, students will learn new techniques by practicing drills and build their capacity to play as a team.
DCC Ceramics
Introduce your child to the world of ceramics! Develop motor skills and learn creative problem solving through projects aimed at stimulating imagination and creativity. Projects range from animal themed sculptures, making a new favorite cup or bowl, figurative work and more!
Monday 4:30PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Monday 4:40pm
- DCC Stop Motion (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Pottery Wheel (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Hand Tarts & Mini Pies (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Coding & Design (Grade 4–5)
- DCC Basketball Skills & Drills (Grade 4–5)
DCC Stop Motion
This class will explore a range of techniques for developing concept, writing, designing, animating and editing stop-motion animation projects. Students will create armatures, puppets and sets, and complete the production process of an animated movie using professional capturing and editing equipment and software.
DCC Pottery Wheel
DCC Hand Tarts & Mini Pies
With a hard shell and a tender surprise, these hand pies are a pocketful of joy! Students will learn the basics of dough shaping as well as how to make all the sweet and savory fillings placed inside.
DCC Coding & Design
DCC Basketball Skills & Drills
Do you want to take your child’s game to the next level? In the Basketball Skills & Drills class, students will take part in organized structured physical activities to help develop and strengthen their basketball skills. Throughout the course of the semester, students will learn new techniques by practicing drills and build their capacity to play as a team.
Monday 5:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Tuesday 3:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Tuesday 3:30pm
- DCC Ballet (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Confectionary Creations (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Green Science (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Paper Making Magic (Grade K– 2)
- DCC World Drummers (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Ceramics (Grade K– 5)
- DCC E-Sports & Gaming (Grade 2–3)
- DCC Mini Influencer (Grade 2–3)
DCC Ballet
An introduction to ballet vocabulary and technique. Students develop strength, alignment, musicality, and the grace that is inherent in the form. Dancers in our ballet classes are prominently featured in each semester's dance performance.
DCC Confectionary Creations
With a steady hand and a wild imagination, students will learn how to design and decorate palm-sized sweet treats. Ranging from cookies and cupcakes, to lollipops and jello molds, everything beautiful and wacky can be made here!
DCC Green Science
DCC Paper Making Magic
This class will explore the magical process of making paper from beginning to end. Students will create paper pulp from different sources (recycling scraps too), use natural ingredients and found objects for texturing, and discover new and creative ways to decorate their paper. Their handmade creations will then be used to makee sculptures, origami, custom coloring books, lanterns, and much more. The possibilities are endless!
DCC World Drummers
DCC Ceramics
Introduce your child to the world of ceramics! Develop motor skills and learn creative problem solving through projects aimed at stimulating imagination and creativity. Projects range from animal themed sculptures, making a new favorite cup or bowl, figurative work and more!
DCC E-Sports & Gaming
Computer programing meets gaming in this interactive club that explores the application of video game design through coding and play. Students will learn the technical basic skills of digital games while using art, design, and coding to create their own games! Students will also gain practical skills through planning, working independently, sharing ideas, and team building activities.
DCC Mini Influencer
Does your child love watching videos on social media? The Mini Influencer class is an opportunity for students to learn how to write scripts, record and edit videos. Students will also learn about internet safety and have the opportunity to create and operate a class fan page that can be shared, via private link, with family and friends.
Tuesday 4:30PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Tuesday 4:40pm
- DCC Ballet (Grade 3–4)
- DCC Chemistry Lab (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Chopped Jr! (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Pottery Wheel (Grade 3–5)
- DCC World Drummers (Grade 3–5)
- DCC E-Sports & Gaming (Grade 4–5)
DCC Ballet
An introduction to ballet vocabulary and technique. Students develop strength, alignment, musicality, and the grace that is inherent in the form. Dancers in our ballet classes are prominently featured in each semester's dance performance.
DCC Chemistry Lab
DCC Chopped Jr!
Each student becomes a culinary innovator with a challenging clash of ingredients presented. Creations will be judged by uniqueness, appearance and effort. The winner adds a mystery ingredient to the weekly draw box!
DCC Pottery Wheel
DCC World Drummers
Students will explore music and percussion from a new country every month, including Ghana and Guinea West Africa, Cuba, Brazil, India, Israel, Turkey, and the United States. Not only will we learn about the music of these countries, but many aspects of their cultures as well!
DCC E-Sports & Gaming
Computer programing meets gaming in this interactive club that explores the application of video game design through coding and play. Students will learn the technical basic skills of digital games while using art, design, and coding to create their own games! Students will also gain practical skills through planning, working independently, sharing ideas, and team building activities.
Tuesday 5:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Wednesday 3:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Wednesday 3:30pm
- DCC MY Runway Project (Grade 2–3)
- Ooey Gooey Science (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Hand Tarts & Mini Pies (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Ceramics (Grade K– 5)
- DCC Dungeons & Dragons (Grade 2–3)
- Girls Only Coding (Grade 2–5)
DCC MY Runway Project
Ooey Gooey Science
Every kid knows that you don't really learn anything unless you make a mess and get your hands dirty. This class focuses on everything oozy, grimy, slippery and slimy that exists in nature or can be made (safely!) in a test tube. Fun for all!
DCC Hand Tarts & Mini Pies
With a hard shell and a tender surprise, these hand pies are a pocketful of joy! Students will learn the basics of dough shaping as well as how to make all the sweet and savory fillings placed inside.
DCC Ceramics
Introduce your child to the world of ceramics! Develop motor skills and learn creative problem solving through projects aimed at stimulating imagination and creativity. Projects range from animal themed sculptures, making a new favorite cup or bowl, figurative work and more!
DCC Dungeons & Dragons
Together, the Dungeon Master (or DM) and players create an exciting story where their bold adventurers confront deadly perils. Even if the group doesn’t complete the adventure successfully, the good time and memories make everyone a winner!
Girls Only Coding
Wednesday 4:30PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Wednesday 4:40pm
- DCC Engineering with 3D Printing (Grade 2–5)
- DCC Engineering with 3D Printing (Grade 2–5)
- DCC MY Food Architects! (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Pottery Wheel (Grade 3–5)
- DCC MY Etsy Workshop/DIY (Grade 3–5)
- DCC MY Runway Project (Grade 4–5)
DCC Engineering with 3D Printing
Once thought of as a magic solution of the future, 3D printing is now a booming industry that yields serious benefits for the world. This course introduces students to basic engineering theories and principles by using 3D printing. It introduces design and fabrication processes to build hands on artifacts that demonstrate complex engineering topics in everyday life.
DCC Engineering with 3D Printing
Once thought of as a magic solution of the future, 3D printing is now a booming industry that yields serious benefits for the world. This course introduces students to basic engineering theories and principles by using 3D printing. It introduces design and fabrication processes to build hands on artifacts that demonstrate complex engineering topics in everyday life.
DCC MY Food Architects!
Inspired by Carl Warner, Christine McConnell, and lovers of Legos, students will plan and build edible structures of all shapes and sizes. By utilizing fresh produce, mixing special spreads, and baking sweet and savory crackers they can create a crunchy cabin, a flaky farmhouse, or a sweet skyscraper!
DCC Pottery Wheel
DCC MY Etsy Workshop/DIY
Do you have a budding artist or entrepreneur on your hands? My Etsy Workshop is the perfect opportunity for your little one to bring their creative ideas to life while launching their own small business! In this class, students will design and create a product, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day Pop-Up Shop at the end of each semester. Throughout the year, students will also learn core life skills including problem solving, leadership and financial literacy while, gaining confidence and further exploring their artistic creativity.
DCC MY Runway Project
Thursday 3:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Thursday 3:30pm
- DCC Animal Science (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Ooey Gooey Art (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Tik Tok Ready Recipes (Grade K– 2)
- DCC Ceramics (Grade K– 5)
- DCC Graphic Design (Grade 2–3)
DCC Animal Science
Students learn about modern animals and their prehistoric ancestors, from jellyfish to dinosaurs!
DCC Ooey Gooey Art
Every kid knows that you don't really learn anything unless you make a mess and get your hands dirty. This class lets the creativity thrive by allowing everything oozy, grimy, slippery and slimy to work with while making beautiful art projects.
DCC Tik Tok Ready Recipes
Students will tackle recipes with five steps or less from start to finish and present their final dishes for a close-up photo shoot! While the instructions are minimal, students will get the chance to show some style and get hands on experience following a recipe!
DCC Ceramics
Introduce your child to the world of ceramics! Develop motor skills and learn creative problem solving through projects aimed at stimulating imagination and creativity. Projects range from animal themed sculptures, making a new favorite cup or bowl, figurative work and more!
DCC Graphic Design
As digital technology continues to make its way into all aspects of our lives, the need for effective graphic design has never been greater. This course is ideal for students who seek an introduction to graphic design or have a general interest in learning how to create and communicate through visual media. Through a comprehensive look at topics such as layout, typography, color, space, balance, and hierarchy, students will be exposed to the most effective uses of graphic design in today's visual world. Students will create projects such as posters, stickers and t-shirts.
Thursday 4:30PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Thursday 4:40pm
- Zoology (Grade 2–3)
- DCC Pottery Wheel (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Art School Prep (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Cooking Around the World (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Graphic Design (Grade 4–5)
Zoology
DCC Pottery Wheel
DCC Art School Prep
DCC Cooking Around the World
In this class, students will have the opportunity to learn about culture, through food, from their favorite after-school counselors! Each month, Chef Sasha will be joined by a counselor who will share their culture through stories, pictures and most importantly, yummy recipes. Bon appetit!
DCC Graphic Design
As digital technology continues to make its way into all aspects of our lives, the need for effective graphic design has never been greater. This course is ideal for students who seek an introduction to graphic design or have a general interest in learning how to create and communicate through visual media. Through a comprehensive look at topics such as layout, typography, color, space, balance, and hierarchy, students will be exposed to the most effective uses of graphic design in today's visual world. Students will create projects such as posters, stickers and t-shirts.
Thursday 5:10PM
- DCC Swimming Lessons (Grade K– 5)
DCC Swimming Lessons
At the beginning of each semester, children are evaluated individually by our full-time aquatic director and certified teaching staff. Groups are assigned by age and ability. Classes are limited to 3-6 students per instructor, depending on the age and ability level of the swimmers. Parents receive progress reports at the end of each semester that outline the skills their children have acquired, as well as areas of potential improvement.
Friday 3:30pm
- DCC Wildly Creative Studio Art (Grade K– 5)
- DCC End Of The Week Treats (Grade K– 5)
- DCC E-Sports & Gaming (Grade 3–5)
- DCC Music Production (Grade 3–5)
DCC Wildly Creative Studio Art
DCC End Of The Week Treats
DCC E-Sports & Gaming
Computer programing meets gaming in this interactive club that explores the application of video game design through coding and play. Students will learn the technical basic skills of digital games while using art, design, and coding to create their own games! Students will also gain practical skills through planning, working independently, sharing ideas, and team building activities.
DCC Music Production
Have you ever wondered how music is created and selected for your favorite movies or TV shows? In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of music production and have the opportunity to score their favorite TV shows and movie scenes with their own musical creations. Week by week, class participants will grow their creativity and confidence as they strengthen their musical skills and develop deeper levels of musical understanding.
Friday 4:40pm
- DCC Ceramics & Pottery Wheel (Grade K– 5)
DCC Ceramics & Pottery Wheel
Introduce your child to the world of ceramics! Develop motor skills and learn creative problem solving through projects aimed at stimulating imagination and creativity. Projects range from animal themed sculptures, making a new favorite cup or bowl, figurative work and more!