EXCEL AFTER THE BELL
At the YMCA of Gaston County, our YMCA afterschool program supports students and families each afternoon by offering developmentally appropriate activities that work to enhance confidence, enrich social and physical development, and encourage self-expression. This after school program offers a combination of individual and group activities, and children are encouraged to share input on what activities they would like to do. Each week our caring staff team schedules activities that keep minds and muscles moving long after the final bell. Afterschool programs include arts and crafts, group games, homework time, snack, and wellness components both indoors and outdoors.
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.
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.
2025 - 2026 Afterschool Registration
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is still open as space allows.
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
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
2026 - 2027 Afterschool Registration Opens in April!
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
TEACHER WORK DATES INCLUDED*
October 16, October 28, November 11, January 4 and 5, January 18, February 10, March 12, April 14
*These dates are included in your Afterschool program fees, but advance registration is required.
NO CARE PROVIDED DATES
September 6 (Labor Day), November 25-27 (Thanksgiving), March 26 (Good Friday)
OOSD | 2 Days Before School Begins & 2 Days After School Ends
August 10 and 11
May 27 and 28
Winter Break Dates
December 21, 22, and 23
December 28, 29, and 30
Spring Break Dates
March 29, 30, and 31
April 1 and 2
Locations And Schools Served
Cherryville Afterschool | Cherryville, NC
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
2025-2026 School Year Afterschool Registration
Stowe Afterschool | Belmont, NC
LOCATION 1:
Stowe Family YMCA
196 YMCA Dr, Belmont 28012
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE STOWE LOCATION
- Belmont Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Catawba Heights Elementary School
- Cramerton Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Holbrook Middle School (*Minimum Required)
- Ida Rankin 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 AT THE BELMONT CENTRAL LOCATION
- Belmont Central Elementary School
- Page Primary School
LOCATION 3:
Pinewood Elementary School
1925 N Main St, Mt Holly, NC 28120
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE PINEWOOD LOCATION
- Pinewood Elementary School
LOCATION 4:
Lowell Elementary School
1500 Power Dr, Lowell, NC 28098
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE LOWELL LOCATION
- Lowell Elementary School
- McAdenville Elementary School
LOCATION 5:
New Hope Elementary School
137 Stowe Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056
SCHOOLS CURRENTLY SERVED AT THE NEW HOPE LOCATION
- New Hope Elementary School
2025-2026 School Year Afterschool Registration
Warlick Afterschool | Gastonia, NC - FULL with Waitlist Available
2025-2026 Gaston County Public School Afterschool 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
- Sherwood Elementary
- 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
2025-2026 Piedmont Community Charter School Afterschool 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 CHARTER LOCATION
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 Director - Danielle Bradley | dbradley@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.