School Age Children and Adolescents

Our programs are focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) learning that are grade-level appropriate, aligned with Common Core standards, and incorporate literacy, civics, and fitness. Our out-of-school time programs help prepare children with the skills, experiences, and resources they need to gain entry into high-performing New York City high schools.

Many of the members of our community are single-parent, working families who earn far below what is needed to make ends meet. About 90% of the children and adolescents who participate in our programs reside in public housing and about 74% qualify for free or reduced lunch in schools. Although they live in one of the wealthiest zip codes in New York City, 63% of families who have children enrolled in Isaacs Center After School Programs and Summer Day Camp receive food stamps.

Beacon

NYC Department of Youth & Community Development Beacon programs are located in public schools and operate year-round in non-school hours on weekdays, weekends, and in the summer. Each Beacon transforms its host school into a resource for the whole community by offering an integrated range of programming tailored to local needs. Beacons offer a safe place to engage in recreational activities, discover new interests, acquire skills, and find opportunities to contribute to the community, guided and supported by program staff.

Our Beacons provide activities and services for school-age youth, families, and adults ages 22 years and older, including seniors. Our programs make special efforts to engage hard-to-recruit youth and young adults for whom participation in activities that foster positive youth development, social-emotional learning (SEL), and leadership skills are especially beneficial.

Beacon 1 is located at elementary school PS 198 (1700 3rd Avenue) and Beacon 2 is located at middle school MS 224 (410 East 100th Street).

Summer Camp Registration Information – Summer Rising

The Beacon Summer Camp is part of the Summer Rising initiative in collaboration with the NYC Public Schools and is in a Public School.

Registration is only available through the MySchools website, not directly through our program. Direct any questions to Summer Rising to summer@schools.nyc.gov.

To apply visit MySchools.nyc and create an account if you don’t already have one. Add your child to your account with their 9-digit student ID number and MySchools account creation code (available from your school or a Family Welcome Center (schools.nyc.gov/fwc or emailing summer@schools.nyc.gov.). If you have an account and used MySchools before, your child may already be added to your account. You will have the option to add siblings. Lastly, select your program locations.

The more programs you select, the more likely you’ll get into any Summer Rising program across New York City. Arrange your programs by order of preference—if we are your first choice, place us first. You’ll receive an application confirmation and you’ll be notified of which Summer Rising program you’ve been accepted to via email through the application website.

Jack August After School Program

The Jack August After School launched in April 2024, serving students in the Isaacs Houses and Holmes Towers. It provides daily snacks, homework help and a wide variety of enrichment activities including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), performing arts, project-based learning, arts/crafts and recreation. Participants are also engaged in learning skills in the performing arts field from residency teaching artist Renoly Santiago.

The program is named after local educational legend Jack August, who was an elementary school principal for several decades, serving his longest tenure at PS 108 in Spanish Harlem.  August persuaded the Board of Education to launch the city’s first free school breakfast program when he realized students were coming to school too hungry to learn. He also founded an English language program at the school for the parents, many of whom were recent immigrants.

Staff