Belmont Enrichment and Study Time (B.E.S.T)
Research shows that youth involved in engaging after school programming are far more likely to thrive in school and are less likely to participate in potentially dangerous and unsupervised activities between the hours of 3pm and 7pm. The Belmont After School Program is available to all students, grades K-8 and offers a variety of dynamic activities to bolster students' academic progress, encourage creative growth, and promote physical health.
Intensive Reading Tutoring - Reading groups serve children in small groups focusing on
reading comprehension, literacy response and analysis, vocabulary development and fluency.
Reading groups have been developed for students reading both below and above grade level and
are formed based on referrals from academic directors and teachers
Art/Creative Design - Students have the opportunity to develop their artistic
talents through the Belmont Poetry Project, Adventures in Acting, Arts and Crafts, Super
Arts, the Yearbook club, and Super 8 Filmmaking. At the end of each semester, students will
showcase their work for their families and friends to see.
Strategic Thinking - Games such as chess, scrabble, and
battleship are valuable tools to help children learn critical thinking, vocabulary, and
problem solving skills. Additionally, students participating in the Chess Club will compete
in tournaments with other Philadelphia students.
Athletics - Students can choose to participate in circuit training, basketball, kickball,
soccer, exploratory dancing, karate, and tennis. Students learn about social skills, team work,
conflict resolution, and character building. Additionally, the benefits of physical activity are
seen in the classroom as active students are happier and more alert.
Social Awareness - Through the Incredible Kids Club, the Girls
Circle Club, and Belmont S.O.S (Students of Substance), students gain knowledge of service
learning and group dynamics through the arts, mentoring, and school unification projects.
Students will demonstrate responsibility to themselves, their school community, and the
surrounding community at large through projects and volunteer efforts organized by the members
themselves.
Health/Nutrition - Chefs in Training, and Music and Food: The
Delicious Club are just two of the many after school programs that help students learn the
basics of nutrition, kitchen safety, and proper food handling. The clubs teach students how
to use common kitchen items to create nutritious food for themselves. Students also learn to
prepare a selection of international dishes and study the music and cultures of these countries.