The school bell rings. Now what?
For many Palm Beach County families, the hours between 2:00 and 6:00 pm can feel like a puzzle. You need somewhere safe, enriching and genuinely fun for your child — not just a place to sit and wait to be picked up. That's exactly what the Mandel JCC's afterschool programs are designed to solve.
Whether your family is in Boynton Beach or Palm Beach Gardens, the Mandel JCC hours are extended, offering a warm, structured and activity-packed afterschool experience for children in kindergarten through grade 5.
Here's a look at what a typical afternoon at the J actually looks like.
What Your Child Can Expect During Aftercare
2:00 pm: Arrival and Snack Time
Every afternoon kicks off with a snack and time to decompress. After a full day at school, kids need a moment to shift gears — and a little fuel to do it. The Mandel JCC provides daily snacks as part of both programs, so there's no need to pack extra.
Transportation is available from local schools, so the transition from classroom to JCC is smooth and stress-free. In Palm Beach Gardens, Beyond the Bell picks up from schools including Beacon Cove Intermediate, Lighthouse Elementary, Marsh Pointe Elementary and more. In Boynton Beach, Club J serves schools like Coral Reef Elementary, Hagen Road Elementary and Sunset Palms Elementary, among others.
3:00 pm: Homework Help
Once kids are settled, it's time to knock out homework. Both programs build in a dedicated homework session so children arrive home with assignments already done — giving families more time together in the evening.
Trained staff are on hand to help when kids get stuck, creating a supportive environment where questions are welcome and learning continues beyond the classroom walls.
3:30 pm: The Fun Begins
Here's where the afternoon really comes alive. After homework wraps up, children rotate through a rotating lineup of activities that changes throughout the week. No two afternoons look exactly the same.
At Beyond the Bell in Palm Beach Gardens, a typical week might include:
- Bounce house, tennis and nature preserve walks
- Swim sessions and ninja warrior courses
- Dance, art and science activities
- Friday Shabbat celebrations
At Club J in Boynton Beach, kids enjoy:
- Israeli culture programming and music and movement
- Gym games, playground time and scooter speedway
- Bounce house, cooking and S.T.E.M. activities
- Shabbat programming every Friday
For high-energy kids in Palm Beach Gardens, the Multi-Sport Add-On through Beyond the Bell is a standout option. This track features a rotating sports lineup including basketball, soccer, flag football, floor hockey, pickleball, kickball, dodgeball and more — all designed for kids who thrive on movement and competition. It's an incredible option for families looking for a sports-focused afternoon without having to juggle multiple carpool stops.
Enrichment Classes: Add Even More to the Afternoon
Want to go a step further? Both locations offer optional enrichment classes that can be added to your child's schedule. These on-site classes mean no extra driving around town after pickup.
At Palm Beach Gardens, afterschool enrichment classes for grades pre-K through 5 have included martial arts, cooking and dance. At Boynton Beach, elementary enrichment classes have offered theatre, art, tech exploration and more. Offerings rotate throughout the school year, keeping things fresh and giving children the chance to explore new interests.
Please note that enrichment classes are available at an additional cost and are separate from standard program tuition.
5:50 pm: Wind Down and Dismissal
As the afternoon wraps up, kids help clean up, gather their belongings and get ready for parent pickup. Programs run until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, giving families flexibility without rushing.
Knowing the JCC hours means you can plan your evenings with confidence: your child is supervised, engaged and well cared for right up until you arrive.
A Community, Not Just a Program
What sets the Mandel JCC apart isn't just the schedule — it's the culture. Both Club J and Beyond the Bell are guided by Jewish values of inclusivity, community and joy, and are open to families of all backgrounds. Jewish cultural moments like Shabbat are woven naturally into the weekly rhythm, giving children a meaningful touchpoint even on an ordinary Thursday afternoon.
Staff-to-child ratios are intentionally kept low, which means your child isn't just another name on a roster. They're known, welcomed and looked after by adults who genuinely invest in their growth.
High-quality afterschool programs like these are linked to improved academic outcomes, stronger social skills and reduced stress for working families — benefits that go well beyond the afternoon hours.
More Than a Pickup Location: The JCC Facility
Part of what makes the afterschool experience at the Mandel JCC so different is the space itself. Kids aren't spending their afternoons in a classroom that's been repurposed for after-hours care. They're on a full campus built for activity, creativity and community.
In Palm Beach Gardens, Beyond the Bell campers have access to an air-conditioned double gym, a turf field, a nature preserve, a bounce house, a ninja warrior course and an aquatics area for swim sessions. In Boynton Beach, Club J kids enjoy a gym, sports court, playground, art room and year-round pool access — a genuinely rare perk for an afterschool program in South Florida.
These aren't extras tacked onto a basic program. They're the reason kids actually look forward to the hours between school and home. When your child is asking to go back tomorrow, you'll know why.
Tuition and Registration
Both programs run from the start of the school year through late May, and registration opens each summer for the upcoming school year.
Monthly tuition:
- With transportation: $400 per child
- Without transportation: $340 per child
A non-refundable registration fee of $90 applies. Scholarship assistance is available for qualifying families through FACTS.
JCC Hours Support Working Parents. Reserve Your Child's Spot Today!
The afternoon hours matter. Make them count.
Whether you're looking for structured academics, sports, creative arts or a combination of all three, the Mandel JCC afterschool programs offer a seamless, enriching experience for children in kindergarten through grade 5 across Palm Beach County.
Register for Beyond the Bell in Palm Beach Gardens
Register for Club J in Boynton Beach
Questions? Reach out to Sean Fagan at 561-712-5227 (Palm Beach Gardens) or Shaina Smith at 561-259-3000 (Boynton Beach). We'd love to welcome your family to the J!
