Primetime – PrimeTime provides academic support and enrichment activities before and/or after school for students. These services are available at no cost to participating families through the After School Education and Safety (ASES) state grant funds. This program is administered by the YMCA.
Character Builders – Our Character Builders program provides quality, affordable and dependable care to elementary and middle school students. We provide before and after school care, offering a safe place for youth to learn, grow, and thrive socially, emotionally, and physically. This program is administered by the YMCA.
Updated July 31, 2022
Off-site Options
The following options are listed as a convenience, but are not a direct endorsement of their programs. Thank you to the McKinley families and community that have submitted recommendations.
A variety of After School Enrichment (ASE) opportunities are available for McKinley students on Thursday afternoons. Programs begin at 12:20 pm.
Two sessions are offered each year, one in the fall and another session in the spring. Pricing varies based on each individual program.
*unless otherwise indicatedProgram Update for PrimeTime & Character Builders Families
Unfortunately, children enrolled in Character Builders or PrimeTime will not be able to participate in ASE on days they attend Character Builders or PrimeTime.
The main reasons for this change are the challenges with transporting kids to/from the Character Builders and PrimeTime programs which delay the start of ASE classes, and the lack of sufficient staff to escort children back and forth. We are actively brainstorming alternative solutions and are open to any ideas you may have.
This was a difficult decision and not our first choice, and we know it’s upsetting for many families. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we greatly appreciate your understanding as we work to improve the program for everyone involved.
Thank you for your understanding. Please email asemckinley@gmail.com with questions or ideas for solutions you can help to implement.
Programs for Fall 2024
Please see below for the Fall 2024 ASE sessions! Click on each program to view more information. All programs will be held at McKinley (classrooms, blacktop, or joint use park).
Registration opens on September 3rd at 7 am and links to sign up will be added below at that time. Registration and payment will be made directly with the vendor. Sessions run October 3 – December 19 unless otherwise indicated (Spanish and Dance Team offerings span through May, Esports starts on October 10).YMCA Esports Super Smash Bros: 12:20 to 1:20 pm, Ages 8-12
Join us in Smash Bros Ultimate as we train and battle to sharpen our skills to become players! Represent your school in tournaments and practices, grow bonds with fellow gamers, and help us make the YMCA of San Diego Esports League the best place for gamers!
Dates & Times: Thursdays from October 10 – December 19, 12:20 – 1:20 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Ages 8 – 12 Location: McKinley Room 22 Pricing: YMCA Members – $61 per month, Other Participants: $71 per month Contact for More Info: Thomas Beamon, tbeamon@ymcasd.org, 619-298-3576 Registration: https://community.ymcasd.org/s/registration
Soccer Kids America: 12:20 to 2:20 pm, Grades K-5
This is a great opportunity for your child to have fun improving their skills. Class includes fun daily soccer activities, scrimmage games, and an SKA soccer jersey. Kids will be placed in age-appropriate groups. All skill levels are welcome. The class is led by licensed professional coaches.
Dates & Times: Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 12:20 – 2:20 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades K – 5 Location: McKinley Joint Use Park Pricing: $440 Contact for More Info: soccerkidsamerica@yahoo.com Registration:https://www.soccerkidsamerica.org/home
Maitera Martial Arts: 12:20 to 2:00 pm, Grades 1-3
Our program focuses on martial arts fundamentals to help students build balance, coordination, proper technique, power, self-confidence, and discipline within themselves. With traditional karate as the foundation, students learn practical techniques they can apply to real-life scenarios while learning techniques and mental tools to apply to other areas of life. There are no prerequisites to participate.
Students start with meditation and salutations. Then, we go into a warm-up that includes calisthenics, strength, and mobility. Usually, there is a concept of the month that guides the curriculum. We review old material, then move on to the idea or technique of the day. In the last 5 minutes of class, we play a game and finish with meditation and salutations. Students should be in comfortable clothes, and need to bring a water bottle.
Dates & Times: Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 12:20 – 2:00 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades 1 – 3 Location: McKinley Joint Use Park Pricing: $294.99 Contact for More Info: soccerkidsamerica@yahoo.com Registration: Click here to register
Media Arts Center: Moviemaking 101, 12:20 to 2:20 pm, Grades 3-5
During this 10-week workshop, students will become familiar with the core aspects of filmmaking: pre-production, production and post-production.
Pre-production: create a narrative, illustrate their narrative through the incorporation of camera angle variation, and critically plan their production (i.e. locations, props, on-screen talent).
Production: demonstrate basic functions of a camera and tripod, how to direct and frame shots/objects/actors, and how to use their bodies as actors or performative objects.
Post-production: critically review their work, edit/export in iMovie, and create their own soundtrack with found/original sounds.
Minimum enrollment: 8 Maximum enrollment: 12
Dates & Times: Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 12:20 – 2:20 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades 3 – 5 Location: McKinley – Room TBA Pricing: $500 Contact for More Info:larry@mediaartscenter.org Registration:Click here to register
Sing & Speak Spanish Level 1A: 12:20 to 1:20 pm, Grades TK-2
How do our Spanish lessons maximize the value of a 1 hour class? Learning a foreign language is fun for kids if they succeed at it. Ours is a fast-paced class where boring repetition is replaced by a variety of humorous activities that engage all the senses. We have funny visuals, songs, gestures, interactive puppetry, and all sorts of games and activities. Our philosophy is to engage ALL the students ALL of the time.
We use a “Comprehensible Input” model where we use English and gestures to aid in comprehension. This gives students a basic Spanish foundation of vocabulary, grammar structures, and pronunciation to set them up for success when they take more rigorous courses in middle and high school.
Dates & Times: This program runs through both the fall and spring ASE sessions. Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 2024 & March 6 – May 22, 2025, 12:20 – 1:20 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades TK – 2 Location: McKinley – Rooms 7 & 8 Pricing: $650 Contact for More Info: support@singandspeakspanish.com Registration:Click here to register
Sing & Speak Spanish Level 1B: 12:20 to 1:20 pm, Grades 2-5
How do our Spanish lessons maximize the value of a 1 hour class? Learning a foreign language is fun for kids if they succeed at it. Ours is a fast-paced class where boring repetition is replaced by a variety of humorous activities that engage all the senses. We have funny visuals, songs, gestures, interactive puppetry, and all sorts of games and activities. Our philosophy is to engage ALL the students ALL of the time.
We use a “Comprehensible Input” model where we use English and gestures to aid in comprehension. This gives students a basic Spanish foundation of vocabulary, grammar structures, and pronunciation to set them up for success when they take more rigorous courses in middle and high school.
Dates & Times: This program runs through both the fall and spring ASE sessions. Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 2024 & March 6 – May 22, 2025, 12:20 – 1:20 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades 2 – 5 Location: McKinley – Rooms 7 & 8 Pricing: $650 Contact for More Info: support@singandspeakspanish.com Registration:Click here to register
Heart2Art Dance Club: 12:20 to 2:00 pm, Grades K-2
Dates & Times: Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 12:20 – 2:20 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades K – 2 Location: McKinley Blacktop Pricing: $294 Contact for More Info: info@heart2art.org Registration:Click here to register
Heart2Art Dance Team: 12:20 to 2:00 pm, Grades 3-5
Dates & Times: This program runs through both the fall and spring ASE sessions. Thursdays from October 3 – December 19, 2024 & March 6 – May 22, 2025, 12:20 – 2:00 pm Ages/Grade Levels: Grades 3 – 5 Location: McKinley Blacktop Pricing: $110/month Contact for More Info: info@heart2art.org Registration:Click here to register
We’re on the lookout for one or two volunteers to help co-lead our After School Enrichment program alongside Melissa Taylor. Melissa will guide you through all the necessary processes and duties, ensuring you’re well-prepared to take on the role.
As a co-leader, your responsibilities will include maintaining relationships with vendors, and ensuring they understand and adhere to ASE guidelines. Your tasks will involve email communications with vendors, acting as a liaison between McKinley office staff and the vendors, monitoring vendor performance, and managing advertisements for ASE classes. You’ll also compile spreadsheets and submit information to the communications team (templates are already created). Occasionally, you might need to visit campus on some Thursdays to support our vendors if necessary.
The perks? You’ll get to shadow Melissa, learning all the ropes with available templates for regular communications, and a complete calendar and timeline. We’re hoping for a two-year commitment, as Melissa will be leaving McKinley at the end of 2025.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this opportunity to support our students, please contact Melissa Taylor at asemckinley@gmail.com.
A variety of After School Enrichment (ASE) opportunities are available for McKinley students on Thursday afternoons. Programs begin at 12:20 pm.
