Afterschool 2025-2026
YMCA Afterschool supports students and families each afternoon by offering developmentally appropriate activities that works to enhance confidence, enrich his or her social and physical development, and encourage self-expression. We offer a combination of individual and group activities. Children are encouraged to give their input on what activities they would like to do. Each week our caring staff team schedules activities that keep their minds and muscles moving long after the final bell. Activities include arts and crafts, group games, homework time, snack, and wellness components both in and outdoors.
DATES OFFERED:
Weekly from August 13, 2025 - May 20, 2026
Following the Gaston County Schools and Piedmont Community Charter Schools calendar
AGES SERVED:
Kindergarten through Middle School
New! Half Days and Teacher Work Days
Half Days and Teacher Work Days are included in the weekly registration fee for all current Afterschool participants. Advance registration required to ensure proper staffing. Locations may vary.
DATES INCLUDE:
Gaston County Schools
October 17, November 11, January 5 and 19, February 16, March 13
Piedmont Community Charter Schools
October 13, November 10 and 11, January 5 and 19, February 16, March 13
No Care Provided
Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Nov 26-28), Good Friday
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Afterschool typically goes on a waitlist very quickly. It is in your best interest to register early. You may experience temporary registration holds and waitlists as we attempt to accommodate everyone we can.
Exciting News!
The YMCA is excited to expand our program into the community with 4 School Locations:
- Belmont Central Elementary School (including Page Primary)
- Lowell Elementary School
- New Hope Elementary School
- Piedmont Community Charter School - Elementary Campus
- Pinewood Elementary School
- Robinson Elementary School (including Hawk's Nest STEAM Academy)
- WA Bess Elementary School
See the YMCA information below to find your child’s school Afterschool location.
Registration and Fees
Participants are drafted weekly.
Weekly payments are drafted on the Friday prior to the start of the week.
Registration is not prorated based on attendance.
Cherryville Afterschool
LOCATION:
Cherryville Family YMCA - New Program Facility!
215 North Mountain Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED
Beam Intermediate School
Cherryville Elementary School
Chavis Middle School
Tryon Elementary (Coming Soon!)
2025-2026 School Year Registration
Registration Coming Soon
Stowe Afterschool
LOCATION 1:
Stowe Family YMCA
196 YMCA Dr, Belmont 28012
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED
- Belmont Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Catawba Heights Elementary School
- Cramerton Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Holbrook Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Ida Rankin Elementary School
- McAdenville Elementary School
- Mt. Holly Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- North Belmont Elementary School
LOCATION 2:
Belmont Central Elementary School
310 Eagle Rd, Belmont, NC 28012
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED
- Belmont Central Elementary School
- Page Primary School
LOCATION 3:
Pinewood Elementary School
1925 N Main St, Mt Holly, NC 28120
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED
- Pinewood Elementary School
LOCATION 4:
Lowell Elementary School
1500 Power Dr, Lowell, NC 28098
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED
-
Lowell Elementary School
LOCATION 5:
New Hope Elementary School
137 Stowe Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED
- New Hope Elementary School
2025-2026 School Year Registration
Coming Soon!
Warlick Afterschool
2025-2026 Gaston County Public School Year Registration
LOCATION 1
Warlick Family YMCA
2221 Robinwood Rd, Gastonia 28054
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE WARLICK LOCATION
Brookside Elementary School
Gardner Park Elementary School
Piedmont Community Charter School Middle School (*Minimum Required)
Pleasant Ridge Elementary
Grier Middle School
Southwest Middle School (*Minimum Required)
LOCATION 2:
Robinson Elementary School
3122 Union Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE ROBINSON LOCATION
Hawk's Nest STEAM Academy
Robinson Elementary School
LOCATION 3:
WA Bess Elementary
4340 Beaty Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE WA BESS LOCATION
WA Bess
Registration Coming Soon!
2025-2026 Piedmont Community Charter School Year Registration
LOCATION 4:
Piedmont Community Charter School - Elementary Campus
119 E Second Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052
School Dismissal until 5:30 pm daily
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE PIEDMONT COMMUNITY LOCATION
Piedmont Community Charter School - Elementary
Registration Coming Soon!
Extended Out Of School Days
The Gaston County Family YMCA offers child care options for school-aged children while schools are out for scheduled breaks like Spring Break and Winter Holidays.
Extended Out of School breaks are not included in Afterschool and require additional registration.
This includes:
Winter Break - December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Spring Break - April 6 - 10, 2026
Additional Information
Registration
Weekly payments are drafted on the Friday prior to the start of the week. Registration is not prorated based on attendance. Registration is not prorated.
Afterschool typically goes on a waitlist very quickly. It is in your best interest to register early. You may experience temporary registration holds and waitlists as we attempt to accommodate everyone we can.
CONTACT OUR STAFF
CHERRYVILLE
Program Lead - Crystal | cherryvilleprograms@gastonymca.org
Program Registrar - Ashli Denton | adenton@gastonymca.org
STOWE
Program Director - Danielle Bradley | dbradley@gastonymca.org
Program Registrar - Kelly Davis | kdavis@gastonymca.org
WARLICK
Program Director - Cassie Alexander | calexander@gastonymca.org
Program Registrar - Jada Cron | jcron@gastonymca.org
SCHOOLS NOT LISTED
What if my school is not listed here?
- If your school is not listed, the YMCA can not serve your child with transportation to fill your afterschool needs at this time.
- Parents/guardians are welcome to transport their child to the YMCA to participate in the program. Please contact us to confirm this option.
- Five children are needed to register per location to ensure transportation is available.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial Assistance is available to YMCA Members. We encourage people to complete the online application process. This annual process is simple and confidential.
Financial Assistance Funds are limited and based on money raised during the Annual Giving Campaign.