Before/After School Program

Before/After School Program provided to elementary school students, Kindergarten through grade five, who attend Rockbridge, Mill Creek, Beulah Ralph or Ridgeway schools. Apple School provides transportation to Rock Bridge, Mill Creek and Beulah Ralph schools and American Student Transportation provides transportation to children attending Ridgeway school.

The Carpeted Area of The Clubhouse

We begin accepting students at 6:30 AM with breakfast being served at 7:00 AM for those children attending Rock Bridge. Breakfast for children attending Mill Creek and Beulah Ralph begins at 7:20 AM. The following activities will be available to your child before AND after school: a variety of activities and games, board games and puzzles, construction activities (blocks, Legos, etc.), art and craft activities, jewelry-making, etc. Obviously, weather-permitting, we can still participate in outdoor activities as well.

The public school day ends at 2:30 PM for Rock Bridge Elementary and 3:40 for Mill Creek, Beulah Ralph and Ridgeway and our teachers pick up the children and transport back to Apple School for snack and afternoon activities. Our van drives to Mill Creek and Beulah Ralph schools and, weather-permitting, we walk across the street to and from Rock Bridge school. In inclement weather, vans also pick up the children at Rock Bridge school.

The Tiled Area of The Clubhouse for meals and Art Projects

Apple School is fortunate to have two acres of playground space so there is plenty of room for the school age group to spread out and enjoy a variety of activities. We have a paved lot with basketball hoops and room for four square, jump rope, hopscotch, etc. We also have a wooded lot which the children have dubbed the “Fort Lot”. It is a favorite shady spot for the children to build forts and immerse themselves in the sand pit. A large grassy area provides space for all types of ball activities. There is a climbing unit as well as a series of wood logs for balance and obstacle course fun. We have many picnic tables so we can enjoy meals and snacks outdoors when the weather is nice.

We hope to assist each child in developing social awareness and some of the skills to help him function successfully and happily within his peer group. There will be many opportunities for discussions concerning our emotions and what it means to be a friend. The teachers are prepared to assist children with problem-solving and conflict resolutions. Ample time will be provided for each child to choose activities or meaningful time with a special friend.

Students enjoying an art project

School Age Summer Program.

Please view new  “Recent Posts” regarding school age summer program

We have a very active summer program! Enrollment can be for 3 or 5 days per week. Hours are 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are included each day. Breakfast is served at 8:00 AM during the summer program.  Breakfast is concluded by 8:20 AM. Children arriving after this time must have eaten breakfast at home.

Summer should be a time when school-agers can “kick back” and really enjoy being with special friends and making new friends. They should also have to opportunity to make many of their own choices of the activities in which they will be involved.

We continue to provide an environment which emphasizes discovery through exploration of the physical indoor classroom centers and the outdoors. Our topics will be fun and interesting. There will be a large variety of art, music, creative dramatics and opportunities for gross motor development. We will also have many tasting events and cooking experiences.

We have selected several topics which we know will interest this age group. In addition, our school-agers have shown an interest in nature, endangered species and animal facts. We will explore these topics and tie field trips to as many topics as possible. We will do writing and drawing and art projects in conjunction with our topics.

Building Forts on School Age Playground

Outdoor Games

Visiting UMC Entomology Museum

Sprayground at Stephens Lake

Our focus will shift, as much as possible, to outdoor events. Many art and craft projects can easily be held outdoors. Many outdoor games and water play will be offered, as well as the opportunity for lots of jumping, running, sliding, climbing and swinging. We’ll have lots of time for outdoor games. We’ll emphasize non-competitive games, learning new games, and learning the basics of kickball, volleyball, tetherball, basketball, soccer, four-square, and jump rope. We also have “water play” days when the children can bring swim suits and enjoy sprinkler and water play activities on our grassy field.

Optional Swim Lessons

Red Cross swim lessons through Columbia Parks and Recreation Dept. will be offered in two 8 lesson sessions. You may choose one or both sessions. An additional fee is charged for swim lessons. Lessons are conducted by certified Red Cross Swim Instructors and will be held in the indoor Hickman High School Pool.

• Session I: 2018 June 18th through 28th 
• Session II: 2018 July 9th through July 19th

Field Trips: 

Field trips are scheduled intermittently during the summer to nearby farms, special exhibits, museums, and local businesses. We are also scheduling several trips to Lazer Lanes. Some events may have a field trip fee if we are charged for the activity or if we need to hire additional staff. Generally, there is no additional cost for field trips or transportation. Columbia is fortunate to have so many excellent parks for playing, hiking and enjoying picnics. We’ll have several “Play in the Park” days. Parents are always welcome on any field trip.

Trip to Fire Station

Tour Dairy Farm

Visit to Jefferson Farm Institute

Visit to Pet Store

Trip to a Farm

Visit to the ARC

Tour of Vet Hospital