2026-2027 Peaks After the Bell Program
REGISTRATION INFO:
Registration for Peaks will open at 6:00pm online on Thursday, June 4
2026 AFTER THE BELL DETAILS
After the Bell is a school year based program, open to Portland children entering grades K–5 in Fall 2026.
Our goal is to provide your child with a safe, positive, and active environment after school. We aim to foster meaningful friendships as children explore new interests and gain confidence in a supportive setting.
Each afternoon is designed to be well-rounded, ensuring students have time to refuel, relax, and engage in high-energy play. Every day includes:
- Snack Time: A dedicated period for children to refuel after the school day.
- Quiet Activities: Time to unwind with low-intensity options like reading or quiet table games.
- Indoor & Outdoor Play: Ample opportunities for physical activity, utilizing both playground spaces and indoor facilities.
- Creative Projects & Games: Fun, hands-on enriching activities that encourage innovation and social interaction, including STEM-based experiments and arts and crafts.
After the Bell Schedule and Hours
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays - 3:05-5:30PM
Wednesdays - 12:05-5:30PM
Program schedule follows the 2026-2027 Portland Public School Calendar.
School Vacation Days/Weeks are not included in this program.
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After the Bell Fees
$100/week (Registration is only for the full week)
**If your household is approved for a fee waiver or in the application process, use "Peaks- Fee Waiver After Care Registration" to proceed with registration. Please note, fee waiver spots are limited. Registration holds the child's spot in Before & After the Bell until the completed fee waiver application is received and approved based on eligibility requirements. An incomplete or ineligible application will result in the spot being released, and the application will not be processed and will be returned**
You can find the 2026 Fee Waiver form here by Monday
Payment Options
Weekly Payment Plan:
Choose the weekly plan by leaving the deposit amount at $0 during checkout. Automatic payments will begin August 26, 2026, and continue to be pulled each Wednesday for 38 consecutive weeks, ending three weeks before the last week of school.
Pay in Full Option:
Want to pay all at once? Simply enter the full amount in the deposit field at checkout. If a partial amount is entered, the weekly payment plan will continue until the balance is paid off.
Sibling Discount:
Families receive a 10% discount per month for each additional child enrolled. If you don’t see the discount automatically applied, please give us a call at 207-808-5400 after checkout.
Outstanding Balances:
Participants with unpaid balances for past programs (including Before & After the Bell, vacation weeks, or summer camps) are not eligible to register. Any registrations made with an unpaid balance will be automatically canceled.
Cancellation:
If you cancel your registration before the first day, a $100 withdrawal fee per child will be deducted from your refund.
Late Payments:
Weekly payments are due the prior Wednesday for the upcoming week.
- If you miss a payment due to your card on file declining you will have one week to reach out to update the card and pay the balance due. Please reach out to Emily Collins - ecollins@portlandmaine.gov - (207)-808-5425
- If you missed a second payment you will receive a call or email from the Recreation Supervisor.
- If you miss three payments you will be notified that your payment plan is suspended and your child will be removed from the program for the upcoming week. Your child can return to the program once past balances are paid in full.
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Readiness Skills
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all our participants, everyone attending the program must be able to perform the following readiness skills:
- Participate independently or with reasonable accommodations/modifications.
- Take and follow directions and instructions from a staff member and be open to changing what they are doing to keep the group safe and welcoming to all people.
- Interact and participate in a manner that is physically and emotionally safe for themselves and others.
- Maintain personal care without the support of recreation staff.
- Stay with their assigned group throughout the program's duration or safely request a break from the group where staff can see/hear them and the rest of the group.
- Follow the department's behavior expectations, which include being safe, respectful and responsible.
Qualified individuals with a disability seeking an accommodation in order to participate in the program are asked to complete a Support Plan Form (listed below under Additional Forms and Files). Once received, the Department will determine if it can support the requested accommodation(s). The Department can provide reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue burden on the City or fundamentally alter the nature of the program.
If your camper takes Medication or will need to take Medication during program hours complete the Medication Form (listed below under Additional Forms and Files).
For questions about the inclusion process, please contact the Recreation Inclusion Supervisor, Jane O’Conor at joconor@portlandmaine.gov (207)-808-5437
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Recreation Supervisors:
If you have any questions or concerns about After the Bell, please reach out to Amelia Clause. - aclause@portlandmaine.gov - (207) 808-5444