Eligibility Requirements
Enrollment is open to students who demonstrate readiness to participate successfully in a structured group environment. To ensure a positive and supportive experience for all children, the following criteria must be met:
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Students must have a record of positive behavior in other academic or childcare settings.
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Students must be fully potty trained.
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Guardians must agree to follow all program policies and procedures.
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Failure to follow these guidelines may prevent a student from being re-enrolled into future Fun City Youth Academy programs.​
Enrollment Process
Guardians must submit a separate application for each student, each school year, and for each program (Summer Academy and Afterschool Academy). Enrollment is not guaranteed by prior participation or by submitting an application. Accepted families will be contacted directly; all others will be placed on a waiting list and notified if space becomes available.
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Summer Academy applications follow the Columbia Public Schools timeline. Families should monitor CPS communications for release dates. Enrollment is limited to 18 students per class, and grade levels may fill at different rates.
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Afterschool Academy applications open July 31 and are capped at 30 students. Pick-up schools will be determined once applications are received, based on either total enrollment or concentration of students along our van routes. Families will be notified about pick-up eligibility at least five business days before the program begins. Drop-off services may be available on a limited, needs-based basis, and prior accommodations do not guarantee future approval.
Our Programs
Afterschool Academy
Students must currently be enrolled in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. Students enrolled in a Columbia Public Schools preschool are also eligible for enrollment. Students must reside in and attend a school in Boone County.
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Afterschool Academy is scheduled from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm each day Columbia Public Schools is in session; we start at noon on early dismissal days. The program is located at 310 Tiger Lane and is offered free of charge. Afternoon snack and an evening meal is provided each day; lunch is optional on early dismissal days.
It is an academic-enrichment program that balances an emphasis on the attainment and retention of reading and math skills with cultural and recreational activities.
One of the Afterschool Academy's unique features is the SETCLAE curriculum that is based on the premise that youth who develop confidence in themselves are motivated to strive for academic success. SETCLAE stands for Self-Esteem Through Culture Leads to Academic Excellence.
Staffing: the program is staffed by classroom aides and certified teachers who provide homework help and reading and math instruction. Student mentors from the Service Learning Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia provide one-on-one attention that makes the program effective and keeps the interest of the Fun City Youth Academy students.
The program dovetails with the Summer Academy, which has the same purpose - to retain and enhance the academic skills of disadvantaged children, who research says, lose an average of two months in academic attainment over the summer break and who benefit from individual assistance through reading instruction year-round.
Summer Academy
Students must be enrolled in grades Kindergarten through 4th grade. Students must reside in and attend a school in Boone County. Enrollment into the Summer Academy also means that students are temporarily enrolled in Columbia Public Schools Summer Sunsations program.
Summer Academy will be held at Derby Ridge Elementary in partnership with Columbia Public Schools. Programming will take place June 2nd to July 25th from 8:20am to 4:30pm (no programming on June 19th or July 4th). This builds on the many years that FCYA has provided a daily 8-week program over the summer break.
The Summer Academy starts at 8:00am with breakfast and goes through 4:30pm with dismissal. It will be located at Derby Ridge Elementary School (4000 Derby Ridge Drive).
Columbia Public Schools' Summer SUNsations curricula will be taught during the morning session, from 8:20am to 11:50am. After lunch and recess, children will participate in the Fun City Youth Academy Summer program until dismissal starts around 4pm. The students participate in educational, cultural and social enriched programs consisting of learning activities in a variety of subjects, physical exercise (to channel that youthful energy), field trips and fun.
The primary goal of the Fun City Summer Academy is to combat "summer fade" by helping students retain the skill levels they attained during the school year. Prevalent among underprivileged children, students can lose 2 to 3 months of reading and math skills during the summer break unless engaged in stimulating activities. Literacy is the focus and is incorporated into most lessons throughout the day.
Additionally, students receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch, snack and have a safe, individualized, structured, fun and affirming place to go on a daily basis. Many working parents with low incomes use the summer school as dependable childcare service. Some children would be left home alone if they did not attend FCYA Summer Academy.
The Summer curriculum is not only designed to combat Summer fade, but to increase positive self-image, self-esteem, confidence, academic achievement and social and life skills. The curriculum combines academics with cultural, character-building and youth development activities to engage the students in building skills that will directly benefit their school performance. Therefore, FCYA students are encouraged to be creative and 'adventurous' while engaging in FUN reading, science and math activities. At the same time, FCYA is very aware that no set of activities will succeed unless the students enjoy their time. The introduction of the Hands-On Minds-On method of instruction facilitates use of various learning styles to accommodate the students' styles. It is widely used now to increase cognitive thinking and increase student engagement. Also, attentive adults encouraging student choice within the activities keeps student interest up. FCYA Summer kids also have opportunities to expand their world, enrich their ethnic identity, meet successful, caring adults, make friends with other youth and give back to the community through community service projects.
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Dates: June 2nd to July 25, 2025
Monday through Friday (No school on June 19th or July 4th)
Time: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location: Derby Ridge Elementary School
Grades: 1 through 5 (at 2025 Fall Enrollment)
Enrollment Begins: January 31, 2025
Please Note: Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis