LEAP+ Year 2: Building Skills. Building Futures.

Every day after the final school bell rings, learning continues at LEAP Academy University School. Through the LEAP+ Afterschool Program, students have a place to explore new interests, strengthen academic skills, build meaningful relationships, and discover their potential in a safe and supportive environment.

During the 2025–2026 school year, our second year as a New Jersey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grantee, LEAP+ continued to expand opportunities that inspire curiosity, leadership, creativity, and confidence. Guided by this year’s theme, “Building Skills. Building Futures,” students participated in hands-on experiences that helped prepare them for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Students engaged in a diverse selection of enrichment opportunities, including Drone Club, Makers Club, Tutoring and Mentoring, Basketball, Volleyball, Flag Football, Soccer, Scouting Club, Queens Academy, Poetry and Writing Club, Guitar Club, and our Extended Day programming. These activities gave students opportunities to explore STEM, athletics, leadership, the arts, and academic enrichment while developing teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The impact of LEAP+ extends well beyond participation numbers. This year, more than 350 students in grades 3 through 12 enrolled in afterschool programming, and 95% of participating students attended 30 days or more, demonstrating the strong connection students have with the program and its staff. Just as importantly, 100% of parents surveyed reported that LEAP+ improved their child’s outlook on school, marking the second consecutive year that every responding parent shared this positive feedback.

Perhaps the greatest measure of success comes directly from our students. Whether they were discovering new interests, receiving homework support, making new friends, or mentoring younger classmates, students consistently described LEAP+ as a place where they felt welcomed, challenged, and encouraged to grow. Their voices reflect the heart of the program: a community where learning continues through meaningful relationships and engaging experiences.

As we celebrate another successful year, we remain committed to creating high-quality afterschool experiences that empower every student to reach their full potential. We are grateful to our dedicated staff, families, community partners, and the New Jersey Department of Education for making these opportunities possible.

Together, we are building stronger students, stronger families, and a stronger future one afternoon at a time.