Enrichment Overview
Serving 600+ Families in the Greater Boston Area!
We offer year-round enrichment programs for children aged 5-14 in a dynamic, hands-on environment, including afterschool classes, April vacation programs, and summer enrichment. Students engage in various subjects such as engineering, biotechnology, math, arts, theater, design, electronics, music, chemistry, physics, teamwork, and forming friendships while exploring their sense of themselves as individuals, learners, and collaborators.
+ Physics, STEM, and Engineering Education
+ Environmental and Civil Engineering
+ Technology and Computer Sciences
+ Visual Arts
+ Geoscience
+ Sociology and Anthropology
+ Innovators
+ Creative Thinkers
+ Explorers
+ 2,414 2023-2024 Registrations
+ 633 2023-2024 Students
+ 500 2023-2024 Families
+ Adventure-Based Playground
+ Project-Based Learning
+ Team-Based Learning
+ Student Support
+ Facilities include: woodshop, innovation lab, cooking zone, makerspace, science lab, and more!
At Acera, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the enriching and transformative power of our programs, regardless of their financial situation. To support this vision, we offer our Reed Hollett Scholarship designed to make our innovative educational experiences accessible to all families.
Reed was a beloved Acera teacher who passed away unexpectedly in 2015. He passionately believed in the importance of getting children outdoors to experience nature and championed the hands-on, inquiry-driven approach to learning that is the hallmark of Acera’s curriculum, classes, and enrichment programs. The Reed Hollett Enrichment Scholarship Fund was created in 2017 by Reed Hollett’s family and Acera staff in honor of Reed’s memory.
Our scholarship program considers a variety of factors to ensure fair and equitable distribution of funds. For more information on how to apply, please complete this form. You may also email [email protected] with any questions.
On half days, or days when public schools are closed, Acera does not provide childcare before 3:15 p.m. Early drop-off is not permitted.
Bus transportation is available from Winchester Public Elementary & Middle Schools. Please list Acera as your After School Program bus stop on the transportation application.
Acera will provide a refund for program cancellations made two weeks prior to the start date. Alternatively, you may transfer enrollment to any other program at no charge.
After two weeks, only transfers are available.
No refund or reduction in fees is possible for a child who arrives late, leaves early, or attends part of a program due to illness (exceptions made for hospital stays).
Refunds will not be provided for students removed from the program due to behavioral issues.
When Acera School is closed for holidays or other reasons, there is no afterschool programming
To help maintain a safe, welcoming, and focused environment for all students:
- Parents and caregivers are welcome inside the building up to 10 minutes before drop-off or pick-up.
- Early pick-up is always permitted — just let a staff member know.
- During pick-up we ask all grownups to wait in the lobby and when your kiddos are ready they will come to you.
- During program hours, we ask that families not remain inside the building, so students can fully engage and thrive in their learning experience.
Decisions about participation in our enrichment programs are made at the discretion of the instructor and the Enrichment Program Manager. If a student is not able to participate in a safe and productive way, or if the teacher feels that the student is not engaging at a level appropriate for the program, the instructor may ask that s/he switch to a different session, or not return to the program. We have a zero-tolerance policy for physical aggression or verbal and emotional harassment towards other participants.
Refunds will not be provided for students removed from the program due to behavioral issues.
Please do not park in any spaces marked for other businesses! Park only in the PURPLE spots indicated on the map below. The spots are located along the tree line behind the school on the left side. YOU RISK BEING TOWED, IF YOU PARK IN NON-ACERA SPOTS. We must respect our other businesses and their customer parking spaces.
For class cancellations before May 1, we will provide a full refund. Alternatively, you may transfer enrollment to any other program at no charge. After May 1, only transfers are available, not refunds.
No refund or reduction in fees is possible for a child who arrives late, leaves early, or attends part of a session due to illness (other than a hospital stay). Refunds will not be provided for students removed from the program due to behavioral issues.
In the event a family is dissatisfied with a program and elects to un-enroll their child, a credit will be issued and may be applied to a future program.
Families will receive a full refund for classes cancelled due to teacher illness or low enrollment.
We are not a “nut-free” facility, but we have a designated allergen-free eating area. If your child has severe allergies or prescription medications, please contact [email protected] for appropriate support.
In order for your child to participate in Acera’s summer camp families need to upload the following health forms on their CampBrain account:
- Physical (Dated within the last 18 months)
- Immunizations Records
- Optional Allergy Plan
- Optional Medication Administration
To help maintain a safe, welcoming, and focused environment for all students:
- Parents and caregivers are welcome inside the building up to 10 minutes before drop-off or pick-up.
- Early pick-up is always permitted — just let a staff member know.
- During program hours, we ask that families not remain inside the building, so students can fully engage and thrive in their learning experience.
- During walk-in pick-ups we ask all grownups to wait in the lobby and when your kiddos are ready they will come to you.
Decisions about participation in our enrichment programs are made at the discretion of the instructor and the Enrichment Program Manager. If a student is not able to participate in a safe and productive way, or if the teacher feels that the student is not engaging at a level appropriate for the program, the instructor may ask that s/he switch to a different session, or not return to the program. We have a zero-tolerance policy for physical aggression or verbal and emotional harassment towards other participants.
Refunds will not be provided for students removed from the program due to behavioral issues.
Please do not park in any spaces marked for other businesses! Park only in the PURPLE spots indicated on the map below. The spots are located along the tree line behind the school on the left side. YOU RISK BEING TOWED, IF YOU PARK IN NON-ACERA SPOTS. We must respect our other businesses and their customer parking spaces.
Acera will provide a refund for program cancellations made two weeks prior to the start date. Alternatively, you may transfer enrollment to any other program at no charge.
After two weeks, only transfers are available.
No refund or reduction in fees is possible for a child who arrives late, leaves early, or attends part of a program due to illness (exceptions made for hospital stays).
Refunds will not be provided for students removed from the program due to behavioral issues.
We are not a “nut-free” facility, but we have a designated allergen-free eating area. If your child has severe allergies or prescription medications, please contact [email protected] for appropriate support.
To help maintain a safe, welcoming, and focused environment for all students:
- Parents and caregivers are welcome inside the building up to 10 minutes before drop-off or pick-up.
- Early pick-up is always permitted — just let a staff member know.
- During program hours, we ask that families not remain inside the building, so students can fully engage and thrive in their learning experience.
- During walk-in pick-ups we ask all grownups to wait in the lobby and when your kiddos are ready they will come to you.
Decisions about participation in our enrichment programs are made at the discretion of the instructor and the Enrichment Program Manager. If a student is not able to participate in a safe and productive way, or if the teacher feels that the student is not engaging at a level appropriate for the program, the instructor may ask that s/he switch to a different session, or not return to the program. We have a zero-tolerance policy for physical aggression or verbal and emotional harassment towards other participants.
Refunds will not be provided for students removed from the program due to behavioral issues.
Enrichment Program Manager
For more information, please email [email protected] or call 781.729.3489.