April Vacation Academy
PLEASE CONTACT SONNYA AT 617-287-7634 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APRIL ACADEMY. APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.
April Vacation Academy is a 4-day program at UMass Boston open to students who are already enrolled in one of our after-school programs at our school sites. Students have the opportunity to spend their April vacation week, from Tuesday through Friday, (approximately 32 hours) with Project ALERTA on the UMass Boston campus. Like our school-year and summer programs, April Vacation Academy is built around a central theme and engages students in creative hands-on activities.
Together with the Director and Project Coordinator, the ALERTA teacher develops a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum that builds students’ basic academic skills while exposing them to subjects, ideas, and sites around Boston that aren’t available to them during the school day. Guest speakers, experts in their fields, are also invited to come speak to the students about subjects related to the theme.
When is it?
April Vacation Week Academy begins on the Tuesday of Boston Public Schools' April vacation and ends on Friday that same week. Monday is a holiday - Patriot's Day. The hours are 9am-4pm from Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday the hours are 9am-6:30pm.
Where is it?
Our campus here at the University of Massachusetts Boston
What kind of transportation is available?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide transportation. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children's transportation.
UMass Boston is accessible by the red line (JFK/UMass stop) or the bus numbers 8, 16, or 41.
There is a free shuttle bus that leaves the JFK/UMass stop and drops people off right in front of the UMass Boston Campus center. This shuttle bus runs every 4 minutes. We can also help you find a family with whom you can carpool.
How much does it cost?
$35 per student for the week. Payment will be due before the start of the program.
Is lunch provided?
Lunch will be available for an additional fee of $10 for the week . If your child does not participate in the lunch program, he or she must bring his/her own lunch each day. Students will not be able to purchase food on campus.
What does each day look like?
Each program day includes three main elements:
1) An interdisciplinary lesson and/or project related to the theme
2) A team-building focused lunch and recess period
3) A skills-building lesson in reading, writing, and math
***Students will also take 2 fun and interesting field trips related to the theme they are learning about.
***The last day of the program will end with a graduation dinner for all students and their families. Therefore, students will not be picked up at 4pm. Families will join students for the graduation dinner and depart with them at around 6:30pm.
