EXPLORE. LEARN. PLAY

Your 2026 Guide to the Best of
​St. Johns After-School Adventures

Across St. Johns, children can explore everything from dance and robotics to coding, theater, martial arts, music, and outdoor adventures. Whether your child dreams of performing on stage, building the next great invention, or just burning off some energy before dinner, there's an after-school program designed to help them thrive.


For families looking for a traditional after-school program with homework help, recreation, and enrichment, the First Coast YMCA offers programs at dozens of elementary schools throughout St. Johns County. Children enjoy STEM activities, arts, outdoor play, character-building, and a safe, nurturing environment.


Flip, Fly & Build Confidence
Gymnastics teaches strength, coordination, perseverance, and confidence, skills that benefit children both inside and outside the gym. Whether your child is taking their very first tumble or dreaming of competitive gymnastics, St. Johns County offers outstanding programs for every age and ability.


Among the area's most respected facilities are WGV Gymnastics, Jacksonville Academy of Gymnastics, and Florida Elite Gymnastics. Together, these programs offer everything from Parent & Tot classes for toddlers and recreational gymnastics to advanced USAG competitive team training for older athletes. Students develop flexibility, balance, coordination, and self-confidence while learning in a fun, encouraging environment led by experienced coaches. Many programs also offer tumbling, preschool classes, and specialized training designed to help every child progress at their own pace.


Cheerleaders looking to tumble, stunt, and compete will find a welcoming home at Zone Cheer All Stars, where boys and girls of all ages develop athletic skills, confidence, leadership, and teamwork through recreational and award-winning competitive cheer programs. Learn more at www.zonecheerallstars.com.


Make a Splash
Swimming an essential life skill. Fortunately,our area offers exceptional learn-to-swim programs designed to help children build confidence, develop strong swimming techniques, and stay safe.


Families turn to the First Coast YMCA, where swim lessons are offered through several convenient locations serving St. Johns County, including the YMCA at Nocatee, Brown Family YMCA in Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Augustine YMCA. Programs are available for infants, children, teens, and adults, with certified instructors focusing on water safety, stroke development, and building confidence at every level. YMCA swim lessons also provide a natural pathway into youth swim teams and lifelong fitness.


One of the area’s newest additions, Goldfish Swim School, located at 2420 County Road 210 welcomes children from 4 months to 12 years old with year-round lessons in a warm, 90-degree indoor pool. Their play-based “Science of SwimPlay®” curriculum combines water safety with fun, while small class sizes ensure personalized instruction for swimmers of every ability, from first-time splashes to advanced swim team preparation.


Art & Science
Creative minds can explore painting, drawing, ceramics, and mixed media through classes at the St. Augustine Art Association,


Technology-loving kids can sharpen their problem-solving skills at Code Wiz St. Johns, where students learn coding, robotics, game design, and artificial intelligence through hands-on projects that make STEM both exciting and accessible.

Strength, Confidence
​& Self-Defense

Martial arts help children develop confidence, focus, discipline, respect, and resilience that extend well beyond the training mat. Whether your child is interested in traditional Taekwondo or practical self-defense, St. Johns is home to several outstanding martial arts academies that welcome students of all ages and experience levels.


For children interested in martial arts, PAKS Ponte Vedra offers self-defense-based Tang Soo Do instruction that combines physical fitness with lessons in respect, discipline, confidence, and perseverance.


Tiger Cho’s World Class Taekwondo provides family-friendly Taekwondo programs for preschoolers, children, teens, and adults, with an emphasis on leadership, character development, confidence, and respect alongside traditional martial arts training. The academy also offers family classes, allowing parents and children to train together while building healthy habits and lasting memories.


At Titus Taekwon-Do programs begin as early as age three and focus on developing moral character, perseverance, self-confidence, and respect while teaching traditional martial arts in a positive, encouraging environment.


Families in Nocatee and Ponte Vedra enjoy Premier Martial Arts at Nocatee, where students learn a blend of karate, Taekwondo, kickboxing, and practical self-defense. Age-specific classes help children improve focus, coordination, and confidence while reinforcing valuable life skills such as perseverance, teamwork, and respect.

Discover 4-H
From robotics and equine science to leadership, public speaking, the arts, and hands-on STEM activities, 4-H of St. Johns County offers young people opportunities to explore new interests, build lifelong skills, and develop confidence in a fun, supportive environment. Open to youth ages 5 to 18, the program encourages members to learn by doing while fostering responsibility, teamwork, and community involvement. Families interested in learning more are invited to attend the St. Johns County 4-H Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32092. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet club leaders, current 4-H members, and local 4-H professionals, ask questions, and discover the wide variety of clubs and programs available.


Center Stage
For children who love to sing, act, dance, or simply let their imaginations shine, St. Johns offers a growing number of outstanding after-school theatre programs. Young performers develop confidence, creativity, teamwork, communication skills, and the courage to step into the spotlight.


One of the area’s premier programs is Limelight Theatre in Uptown St. Augustine. Limelight’s youth education program offers after-school theatre classes twice a week, where students explore acting, improvisation, musical theatre, stage movement, and performance while working toward showcases and fully staged productions.


Families in northern St. Johns also enjoy Apex Theatre Studio in World Golf Village where students receive professional training in acting, musical theatre, voice, and stage performance in a fun, encouraging environment. Young performers gain confidence while developing the skills needed for both the stage and everyday life.


Another wonderful option is St. Johns Stage in St. Johns, a children’s theatre dedicated to helping young actors discover their creativity through classes, productions, and performance-based learning. From first-time performers to experienced thespians, students are encouraged to grow both artistically and personally.


Sports, Cheer & Martial Arts

​For children who love teamwork, competition, and staying active, St. Johns offers an impressive lineup of youth athletic programs designed to help young athletes build confidence, friendships, and lifelong skills.


The Creeks Athletic Association has long been a cornerstone of youth sports, offering baseball, softball, exceptional needs baseball, flag and tackle football, lacrosse, track & field, and wrestling in a supportive, community-focused environment. Learn more at www.caaleague.org.


Soccer continues to be one of the area’s fastest-growing sports, and Florida Elite Soccer Academy provides year-round recreational and competitive programs led by experienced coaches who emphasize both player development and sportsmanship. Visit www.floridaelitesa.com.


Families in Ponte Vedra have access to a wide variety of sports through the Ponte Vedra Athletic Association, including baseball, softball, soccer, flag and tackle football, and basketball. For program information, visit www.pontevedrasoccerclub.com, www.pvaabaseball.org,


For parents seeking a fun, low-pressure introduction to sports, i9 Sports offers youth flag football, soccer, and cheer with an emphasis on sportsmanship, skill development, and participation.

2025

 inspire creativity and learning

These after-school programs not only provide fun and engaging activities but also foster personal development and academic growth. Whether your child is interested in sports, coding, math, or leadership, there's something for everyone in Northern St. Johns!

SJC 4-H Youth Development

St. Johns County 4-H Youth Development Program 
4-H Enrollment Kick Off for youth ages 5-18, (age as of September 1, 2023) on Thursday, August 17th from 4:30pm-6:30pm at the St. Johns County Extension Office at 3125 Agricultural Center Drive (near S.R. 16 and I 95). 4-H Club and Project information will be available for new and returning 4-H members. 4-H is a youth development program that enables youth to develop life skills, leadership and citizenship. Caring adult leaders are also being recruited. Please contact the 4-H Office at 904 209-0430 for more information. Youth members ages 5-18, as of September 1st, 2023 can enroll in the St. Johns County 4-H program ONLINE starting on August 1st  by going to:  https://v2.4honline.com  

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First Coast YMCA

With a focus on safety, health, social and emotional growth and academic enhancement, YMCA afterschool programs help kindergartners through middle schoolers develop healthy relationships with others, build self-reliance, get help with their schoolwork, explore new talents and more — all in a safe, nurturing environment. Afterschool programs are offered at more than 40 sites across the First Coast. Some sites also offer programming before school. Visit FCYMCA.org for more information.
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Code Whiz

 Offers Coding and Robotics After School Classes for kids ages 7-17.  Our students develop programming skills along with invaluable approaches to critical thinking and problem-solving. Best of all, anyone can learn to code—no matter their age, tech proficiency, or personal interests. We’ve designed fun, flexible programs to ensure every child becomes a wiz! 530 State Road 13 Unit #5 Fruit Cove, FL, 32259 (904) 719-7490 thecodewiz.com/stjohns-fl

Mathnasium

At Mathnasium we instruct students that need extra help with math, we are here for homework help as well as for advancement in math skills.  We help students from K-12, we also do ACT, SAT and EOC test prep classes.. MA+hnasium of Fruit Cove 104 Bartram Oaks Walk, Suite 102, Saint Johns, FL 32259 (904) 287-2874 www.mathnasium.com/fruitcove

Kumon Ponte Vedra at Nocatee

For more than 60 years, Kumon’s after-school academic enrichment program has helped children achieve success worldwide. We strive to instill in children the desire to achieve and the motivation to learn on their own. The Kumon Math Program is a comprehensive curriculum that develops the necessary skills to help children progress from counting through calculus. The Kumon Reading Program begins with basic phonics and progresses all the way through advanced reading comprehension.

Add Your Aterschool Program

Contact [email protected]

St. Johns County Public Library Programs:

 
The local libraries offer a variety of after-school activities, including book clubs, arts and crafts, STEM workshops, and storytelling sessions. These programs are designed to be both educational and entertaining for children of all ages. SJCPLS.ORG

First Coast
​Cultural Center 
at Ponte Vedra Beach:

This center offers art classes, music lessons, and drama workshops for kids. These programs provide a creative outlet and a chance to develop new skills in a supportive environment. firstcoastculturalcenter.org
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