Afterschool Programs
The Y’s afterschool programs make the most of your child’s afterschool time by offering active learning opportunities designed to engage and expand young minds. Students take part in a variety of structured activities and participate in active play while also getting homework support and positive social interactions. Our afterschool programs serve students across Evanston/Skokie from Kindergarten through 8th grade and are housed in 2 locations: the McGaw YMCA Children’s Center and McGaw YMCA Main Building.
School's Out Afterschool Program (Grades K-5)
School's Out is the Y's trusted afterschool program that offers fun, creative, engaging opportunities that focus on what your child needs and enjoys most: active play indoors and outside, daily homework support, hands-on STEAM activities, weekly swim lessons (K-2), a variety of Focus Area enrichment activities, and a healthy snack to keep them energized. Additional fee-based enrichment activities, such as Tae Kwon Do, are available to further enhance your child's skills and interests.
School’s Out is open on all regular District 65 school days. We also offer programming on most District 65 non-attendance half/full days and during Fall, Winter, and Spring breaks (additional fees apply)!
Grades: Kindergarten - 5th
Hours: School Dismissal - 6:00 p.m.
Program Locations:
McGaw YMCA Children's Center
Registration Fee: $100 new / $50 returning
Program Fee for 2025-26 (5 days/week): $445/month (M) / $490/month (NM)
Discounts and Scholarships are available - see details below.
Non-Attendance Day Options
We offer optional programming for school-age students on most District 65 non-attendance half/full days and during Fall, Winter, and Spring breaks. For children enrolled in our School’s Out afterschool program, we provide discounted add-on options and a pay-for-the-day choice. Our School's Out Break Camps are available to both afterschool program participants and community families. Fall Break Mini-Camp is included in Options 1 and 2. Winter Break Camp and Spring Break Camp can be paid for separately in Option 4 or combined with non-attendance days in Option 2.
OPTION 1
Non-Attendance Days
This option is available to School's Out program participants and includes all D65 non-attendance days (full & half) and our Fall Break Mini-Camp (2 days). Choose this option in the School’s Out Afterschool Program application in the link above.
Add-On Price for 2025-26
Member Fee: $110/month
Non-Member Fee: $121/month
Stand-Alone Price for 2025-26*
Fee: $185/month
*Member Only Option – Available to those not enrolled in School’s Out Afterschool
Registration for Option 1 ends on Oct. 24
OPTION 2
Non-Attendance Days + School’s Out Break Camps
This option is available to School's Out program participants and includes all D65 non-attendance days (full & half) and our Fall Break Mini-Camp (2 days), Winter Break Camp (6 days), and Spring Break Camp (5 days). Choose this option in the School’s Out Afterschool Program application in the link above.
Add-On Price for 2025-26*Â
Member Fee: $200/month
Non-Member Fee: $220/month
*Registration for Option 2 ends Oct. 24
OPTION 3
Non-Attendance Days: Daily Rate
This pay-for-the-day option is ONLY available to registered School's Out program participants and allows families to pay for individual D65 non-attendance days (full days only).
Daily rate for 2025-26
Member Fee: $130/day
Non-Member Fee: $143/day
OPTION 4
School's Out Winter & Spring Break Camps ONLY
This option is available for both School's Out program participants and families in the community and includes our School's Out Winter Break Camp (6 days) and Spring Break Camp (5 days). Learn more about School's Out camps.
Price for 2025-26
Member Fee: $240/mo.*
Non-Member Fee: $264/mo.*
*5 monthly payments (Nov.-March)
*Registration for Option 4 ends Oct. 24
Discounts & Scholarships
Y MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT: Rates are discounted for McGaw Y members. To qualify for the member rate, membership must be active at the time of registration through the duration of the School's Out program. Pricing cannot be adjusted if you purchase a membership after registering. Eligible memberships include youth, teen, or family memberships. Adult memberships do not qualify youth for discounted member pricing for School's Out.Â
FULL-YEAR PAYMENT DISCOUNT: Paying for the year in full by September 15 reduces tuition by 2%.Â
SECOND CHILD DISCOUNT: Families with more than one child enrolled in McGaw YMCA Children’s Center programs will receive a 10% discount on the lowest tuition. This discount only applies when both children are enrolled for 5 days per week, and the discount does not apply to non-attendance day programming.Â
SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available to families with documented financial need. Please contact us for more information or to receive an application.Â
MetaMedia Afterschool Program (Grades 6-8)
MetaMedia is the Y's digital media center and maker education program designed for middle-school youth. The MetaMedia Afterschool program features a curriculum based in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), social emotional learning, and creative explorations. Participants enjoy a daily snack, homework help, activity centers, physical activity, and field trips.
MetaMedia Afterschool is open on all regular District 65 school days.
Grades: 6th - 8th
Hours: School Dismissal - 6:00 PM
Program Locations:
McGaw YMCA Main Building
Program Fee: Affordable and flexible pricing - contact us to learn more!