Afterschool Care
That Actually

SparkBrain's afterschool program is designed for elementary and middle school students, roughly grades K through 8. The program is especially popular with families at PS 173 in Fresh Meadows because we offer walking pickup directly from the school to our learning center at 69-04 Fresh Meadow Lane. Students from other schools in Fresh Meadows, Flushing, Bayside, and surrounding Queens neighborhoods are also welcome — parents can drop them off at 2:30 PM. With a maximum of 10 students enrolled at any time, every child receives the kind of individualized attention that larger afterschool programs simply cannot provide. The small group size also means Vera can tailor instruction to each student's grade level and specific academic needs rather than running a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

Students arrive at 2:30 PM either via walking pickup from PS 173 or parent drop-off. They begin with a healthy snack and a few minutes to settle in. By 2:45 PM, homework time begins — every assignment is completed on-site under Vera's direct supervision, reviewed, corrected, and explained if needed. At 3:30 PM, structured small-group tutoring begins with focused instruction in Math, Reading, and Writing, rotating based on student needs. Around 4:15 PM, students participate in enrichment activities like math competitions, spelling bees, and vocabulary games that reinforce skills in a fun, competitive format. Pickup is at 5:00 PM, with extended care available until 5:30 PM. Parents receive a daily update on what was accomplished. Every minute of the afternoon is designed for academic growth — not just babysitting with a textbook nearby.

Most afterschool programs are essentially supervised free time — kids do some homework on their own, play games, and wait for pickup. SparkBrain is fundamentally different because it's built around daily academic instruction led by a licensed educator, certified literacy specialist, and college professor with over 15 years of experience. Every afternoon includes structured homework completion with direct supervision, small-group tutoring sessions in Math, Reading, and Writing, and enrichment activities like math competitions and spelling bees. With only 10 students maximum, your child gets the kind of attention that larger programs with 25 to 30 kids and hourly staff simply cannot deliver. Monthly assessments track progress, and you receive detailed reports so you always know exactly how your child is growing. This isn't afterschool care with a tutor on the side — tutoring IS the program, from 2:30 to 5:00 every day.

Yes — this is one of the biggest benefits parents report. Every student's homework is completed on-site under Vera's direct supervision before the tutoring portion of the afternoon begins. Vera doesn't just check that answers were filled in — she reviews the work, identifies errors, explains the underlying concepts, and makes sure each assignment is fully and correctly completed. Your child comes home with zero homework left to do. For parents who are used to nightly battles over incomplete or incorrect homework, this alone is transformative. Many parents in Fresh Meadows and Queens tell us that the homework completion component is what initially attracted them to SparkBrain, but the daily tutoring and measurable academic improvement is what made them stay long-term.

The first month of enrollment is $880, which works out to approximately $44 per day for 2.5 hours of structured academic programming including homework supervision, small-group tutoring, enrichment activities, and healthy snacks. After the first month, tuition is $960 per month, or about $55 per day. This is significantly less expensive than most afterschool programs in Queens that offer far fewer academic services — especially when you consider that SparkBrain includes daily one-on-one and small-group tutoring led by a licensed educator, not a babysitter or hourly aide. Many families find that SparkBrain's afterschool program actually replaces both their afterschool care AND their separate tutoring expenses, making it more affordable than paying for both individually. Spots are limited to 10 students, so early enrollment is recommended. Call or text (718) 790-8911 to reserve your child's spot.

Yes — we offer walking pickup from PS 173 (The Fresh Meadows School) directly to our learning center at 69-04 Fresh Meadow Lane, which is within walking distance. A SparkBrain staff member picks students up from school at dismissal and walks them safely to our center, so there's no gap between the end of the school day and the start of their afternoon with us. For students attending other schools in Fresh Meadows, Flushing, Bayside, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens Hills, or elsewhere in Queens, parents can drop off their children at 2:30 PM. We understand that afterschool logistics can be one of the most stressful parts of a working parent's day, and our walking pickup from PS 173 is designed to eliminate that stress entirely for families in the immediate Fresh Meadows area.

The daily tutoring sessions focus on three core areas: Mathematics, Reading, and Writing. In Math, we cover arithmetic, fractions, decimals, word problems, and grade-appropriate algebra concepts depending on the student's level. In Reading, we work on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary building, and inference skills. In Writing, we develop sentence construction, paragraph organization, grammar, spelling, and essay structure. Vera rotates the focus based on each student's individual needs and what they're currently working on in school, so the tutoring directly reinforces classroom learning while also filling any gaps. Additionally, the enrichment activities — math competitions, spelling bees, and vocabulary games — provide extra practice in a fun, low-pressure environment that builds confidence alongside skill. For students preparing for NY State ELA and Math exams, the daily tutoring naturally builds the foundational skills those tests require.

Enrollment is simple — call or text Vera directly at (718) 790-8911 or email vera.borukhov@gmail.com to check availability and reserve your child's spot. Because the program is limited to only 10 students at a time, spots do fill up and we maintain a waitlist when we're at capacity. We recommend reaching out as early as possible to secure enrollment. Once enrolled, your child begins with an initial assessment so Vera understands their current academic level and can immediately begin tailoring instruction to their needs. There is no long-term contract required — enrollment is month-to-month with the first month at the introductory rate of $880 and $960 per month thereafter. Our center is located at 69-04 Fresh Meadow Lane, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365, serving families across Queens including Flushing, Bayside, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens Hills, Jamaica Estates, and the broader NYC area.