Berkeley BEARS Afterschool Program

BEARS (Berkeley’s Excellent Academic Road to Success)

Zachary Pless, Extended Learning Program Supervisor
1720 Oregon Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone:  (510) 644-7770
Fax:  (510) 644-8703

The BEARS program provides academic support and enrichment/recreation activities both before and after school.

  • Before School – 7:30 am at the late start schools and one hour before at the early start schools
  • After School/Vacation – Until 5:30 pm during the academic year and all day 7:30 am to 5:30 pm during vacations

We are open 240 weekdays per year to include all of Summer break and much of the Winter and Spring breaks.

The programs are in operation at eight (8) elementary school sites: Berkeley Arts Magnet, Jefferson, John Muir, Le Conte, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Thousand Oaks and Washington.  Students who attend John Muir, Emerson, Cragmont, or Oxford can be bussed both before and after school from another site within their enrollment zone.

Academic Support

The academic support component consists of two major elements: homework assistance and academic enrichment activities.  Homework assistance is conducted daily, utilizing both small-group and individual tutoring. Academic enrichment includes: daily literacy activities (group read-alouds and guided, independent reading, utilizing books aligned to student levels), twice-a-week math games and activities (Kidz Math), as well as a variety of science, social studies and computer learning programs (Compass Learning).

Enrichment/Recreational Activities

The enrichment/recreation component offers a wide variety of activities.  These activities are offered by program staff and contracted specialists (many are shared between the BEARS and LEARNS programs).  Multiple sessions are offered per year.  Through our partnership with the City of Berkeley, we are able to offer our elementary school students an enhanced athletic program with organized teams of students from both the BEARS and LEARNS programs.

Staffing and Class Sizes

Each classroom is led by a Child Development Teacher (who has earned either a Child Development Teaching Permit or a Multi-Subject Teaching Credential) and an Instructional Assistant.  The maximum BEARS classroom size of 28 students allows us to maintain a 14:1 student-to-adult ratio.

Requirements

The BEARS program is funded through the California Department of Child Development and all families must meet both income requirements and must demonstrate a need for care. Income requirements are set by the state, based on the State Median Income and family size.  Click here for the most current Fee Schedule.  Families that are below 40% of the State Median Income have no cost for care. Nearly all of the students who attend during the school year are considered to be part-time students (less than 6.5 hours per day).  All BUSD students are eligible to participate in the BEARS program, but families whose income exceeds the Fee Schedule limits are required to pay full cost (click here for chart).
Need for care requires that parents provide documentation that shows that they need services for their child.  These are most commonly: a self-declaration of seeking work (temporary), work schedules, class schedules or disability.  Additional time will be allotted for travel and school work.
If space at the program becomes limited, younger students are given priority over older students; however, most sites are able to accommodate all students K-5.  Concurrent enrollment in both the LEARNS and BEARS programs is allowed so students can take advantage of the BEARS morning or summer programs.  Drop-in students are not allowed.

Community Programs

Various community-based organizations provide after-school care for Berkeley students. Programs offered at the Berkeley Parks and Recreation Centers and the YMCA include a wide array of services such as homework assistance, arts, music, recreation, as well as more specialized programs that include: foreign language, nature, karate, and yoga classes.

Limited space is available and enrollment is first-come, first-serve at most locations. Please contact the specific program for details on services, enrollment procedures and fees.

Limited transportation is provided from school sites to community programs.