EXCEL AFTER THE BELL
The Gaston County Family YMCA Afterschool program supports students and families each afternoon with engaging, age-appropriate activities that build confidence, encourage self-expression, and promote social and physical development. Children enjoy a mix of individual and group activities, including arts and crafts, games, homework time, snacks, and indoor and outdoor wellness, while also having a voice in what they do. Our caring staff plans weekly activities that keep minds and bodies active long after the final bell.
2026 - 2027 Afterschool Registration is NOW OPEN!
2026–2027 Afterschool registration opens in April for Gastonia, NC, Belmont, NC, and Cherryville, NC YMCA locations!
Plan ahead and secure your child’s spot early.
DATES OFFERED
Weekly from August 12, 2026 - May 26, 2027
Following the Gaston County Schools and Piedmont Community Charter Schools Calendars
AGES SERVED
Kindergarten through Middle School
INCLUDED WITH YOUR AFTERSCHOOL REGISTRATION
*requires additional registration to save your spot
Teacher Work Days & Holidays
(Out of School Days)
- September 16
- October 16 & October 28
- November 11
- January 4, 5, 18
- February 10
- March 12
- April 14
NO CARE PROVIDED DAYS
- September 7 (Labor Day)
- November 25-27 (Thanksgiving)
- March 26 (Good Friday)
NOT INCLUDED WITH YOUR AFTERSCHOOL REGISTRATION
*requires additional fee AND registration to save your spot
Extended Full-Day Care
- August 10 and 11 (2 days before school starts)
- Located at Warlick Family YMCA
- May 27 and 28, 2027 (2 days after school ends)
- Located at McGill Family YMCA
Winter Break Camp (Members & Non-Members)
- December 21, 22, and 23
- December 28, 29, and 30
Spring Break Camp (Members & Non-Members)
- March 29, 30, and 31
- April 1 and 2
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.
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.
Locations And Schools Served
Cherryville Afterschool | Cherryville, NC
CHERRYVILLE FAMILY YMCA
215 North Mountain Street, Cherryville, NC 28021
Schools Served:
- Beam Intermediate School
- Cherryville Elementary School
- Chavis Middle School
- Tryon Elementary
2026-2027 School Year Afterschool Registration
McGill Afterschool | Belmont, NC
McGILL FAMILY YMCA
196 YMCA Dr, Belmont, NC 28012
Schools Served
- Belmont Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Catawba Heights Elementary School
- Cramerton Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Holbrook Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Mt. Holly Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- North Belmont Elementary School
BELMONT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
310 Eagle Rd, Belmont, NC 28012
Schools Served
- Belmont Central Elementary School
PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY
1925 N Main St, Mt Holly, NC 28120
Schools Served
- Pinewood Elementary School
LOWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1500 Power Dr, Lowell, NC 28098
Schools Served
- Lowell Elementary School
- McAdenville Elementary School
PAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
215 Ewing Dr, Belmont, NC 28012
Schools Served
- Page Primary School
IDA RANKIN ELEMENTARY
301 W Central Ave, Mt Holly, NC 28120
Schools Served
- Ida Rankin Elementary
2026-2027 School Year Afterschool Registration
Warlick Afterschool | Gastonia, NC
2026-2027 Gaston County Public School Afterschool Registration
WARLICK FAMILY YMCA
2221 Robinwood Rd, Gastonia 28054
Schools Served
- Brookside Elementary School
- Gardner Park Elementary School
- Piedmont Community Charter School Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Pleasant Ridge Elementary
- Grier Middle School
- Sherwood Elementary
- Southwest Middle School (*Minimum Required)
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
137 Stowe Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
Schools Served
- New Hope Elementary School
ROBINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
3122 Union Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
Schools Served
- Hawk's Nest STEAM Academy
- Robinson Elementary School
WA Bess Elementary
4340 Beaty Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
Schools Served
- WA Bess
2026-2027 Piedmont Community Charter School Afterschool Registration
Piedmont Community Charter School - Elementary Campus
119 E Second Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052
School Dismissal until 5:30 pm daily
Schools Served
- Piedmont Community Charter School - Elementary
Additional Information
Registration
Weekly payments for this after school program are drafted on the Friday prior to the start of the week. Registration is not prorated based on attendance.
Afterschool typically goes on a waitlist very quickly. It is in your best interest to register early for after school care. You may experience temporary registration holds and waitlists as we attempt to accommodate everyone we can.
CONTACT OUR STAFF
CHERRYVILLE
Program Lead - Crystal Baugham | cherryvilleprograms@gastonymca.org
Program Registrar - Ashli Denton | adenton@gastonymca.org
STOWE
Stowe Afterschool Coordinator - Cheryl Smith | csmith@gastonymca.org
Program Registrar - Kelly Davis | kdavis@gastonymca.org
WARLICK
Warlick Youth Development Program Director - Francine Molina | fmolina@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 after school care 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.
Parent Handbook
