Wellington’s Beyond the Bell programs give families the support they need and children the joyful learning they love, with safe, structured care and enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the traditional school day.
What to Expect in This Blog:
- How before care, aftercare, and childcare options provide dependable support for working families
- Examples of enrichment classes and Junior Jag athletic clinics that help students explore new interests and build confidence
- How Wellington’s Summer Program keeps learning, discovery, and friendship going strong all summer long
For many families, the day begins well before the first bell and continues long after dismissal. Wellington understands this rhythm, especially for two-income households balancing work, routines, and the needs of growing children. That is why our Beyond the Bell programs are designed to support the whole family from morning through evening.
Before care provides a calm, reliable start to the day, and aftercare offers a safe, engaging place for students to spend the afternoon. Together with enrichment classes, athletic clinics, and childcare options on select days when school is not in session, Beyond the Bell offers students meaningful experiences while providing parents with peace of mind.
At its heart, Beyond the Bell reflects Wellington’s belief that learning, belonging, and care extend far beyond classroom walls. These programs create an environment where children feel supported and joyful, and where families know they have a trusted partner throughout the day.
A Supportive Start and End to Each Day
Before care opens at 7:30 a.m. and offers an easy, calm start for students, which can be particularly helpful for families with early work schedules. Aftercare provides a safe, comfortable space for students in early childhood through middle school, balancing outdoor play, indoor activities, homework time, and opportunities to unwind with friends. Families can count on reliable care until 6 p.m. every weekday.
Enrichment That Delights and Develops
After-school enrichment classes and Junior Jag athletic clinics help students explore new interests in a fun, low-pressure environment. Each trimester includes more than 30 offerings across arts, STEM, athletics, and wellness, giving children a chance to discover what excites them. All classes end by 4:40 p.m.
Families will see a mix of short, half-trimester classes and longer full-trimester sessions. Shorter sessions encourage students to try a variety of topics throughout the year, while full-trimester athletic clinics allow more time for skill development and teamwork.
Recent offerings have included:
- Art Explorations for Little Jags–kindergarten
- Yoga Adventures for grades 1–4
- Origami Club for grades 1–2
- Art Through Literature for grades 2–4
- Junior Jags Boys Basketball for grades 1-4
- Junior Jags Girls Basketball for grades 1-4
- Junior Jags Running Club for grades 5-8
- And many more!
Led by Wellington teachers, subject experts, and varsity coaches, these programs help students build confidence, deepen skills, and try something new in a supportive, developmentally appropriate setting.
Reliable Care When School is Not in Session
Throughout the year, Beyond the Bell offers childcare on select days when classes are not in session, as well as extended break camps. These days, blend indoor and outdoor play, structured activities, and time with peers. For families navigating work schedules, they provide trusted support while giving students a fun day in a familiar environment.
Summer Opportunities for Continued Growth
Wellington’s Summer Program extends Beyond the Bell into the months when children are most eager to explore, create, and try something new. Designed for rising prekindergarten through grade 12 students, our offerings blend joyful discovery with meaningful skill development, giving families flexible options and students memorable experiences.
Each week features a mix of full- and half-day programs across arts, STEM, world languages, athletics, literacy, and imaginative play. Camps are taught by Wellington teachers, trusted community partners, and subject experts who know how to create learning environments that feel both structured and fun.
To give families a sense of the variety, recent summer programs have included:
Creative and Curiosity-Driven Experiences
Students dive into picture books and movement games in camps like Imagination Celebration, explore music and songwriting in Music Explorers, or investigate STEM concepts through hands-on experiments in offerings like Wacky Science or Science Discovery Days. Young artists discover new materials and techniques in visual arts camps focused on drawing, painting, sculpture, and wearable art.
Academic and Skill-Building Programs
For students who benefit from continued academic momentum, Wellington offers opportunities such as WRAP (Wellington’s Reading and Arithmetic Program), a four-week, research-based literacy and math experience for rising 1st-8th graders, designed to prevent summer slide for students enrolled for the 2026-27 school year. Additional camps support reading, writing, math, and problem-solving skills through engaging themes like cooking, travel, and storytelling.
Athletics, Movement, and Teamwork
Junior Jags camps bring students together for basketball, soccer, lacrosse, fencing, tennis, and more, emphasizing fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence in a supportive environment. Movement-based camps like yoga and mindfulness help students build wellness habits they can carry into the school year.
Special Sessions for Early Childhood Learners
Beginning in 2026, Wellington will introduce two four-week summer sessions for rising prekindergarten and kindergarten students who are enrolled in Wellington for the 2026-27 school year. These academically grounded programs, called the Early Childhood Summer Discovery Experience, are taught by Wellington faculty and align with WRAP's philosophy by strengthening foundational literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills through play-based, developmentally appropriate learning.
Learn More
Beyond the Bell is one way Wellington partners with families to ensure children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn throughout the year. To learn more, please visit this webpage.