ABOUT US

PS 87’s Afterschool program began in 1980 when parent volunteers came together to offer after-school activities for the school's students. 87Afterschool operated as part of the PS 87 Parents Association. Two PS 87 parents, Kyle Ahrold and Anne Murney, later became the program’s directors until they decided to retire in 2014. Wilson Cano was hired by the PA as Executive Director to oversee the program in 2015, growing the program further.

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Over the decades, the program has expanded to become one of the most renowned afterschool programs in the city, serving roughly 500 children at its peak and offering more than 50 enrichment programs each semester. Pre-Covid, over half of PS 87’s students enrolled in Afterschool at least one day a week, and many families depend on it as childcare, using it three to five days a week.

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Due to declining participant enrollment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficult choice was made to shut down the 87Afterschool program in January of 2021. Once it was announced that all students would be returning to in-person school for the 2021–2022 academic year, the decision was made to restart the program for the Fall 2021 semester under new leadership. 87Afterschool was revamped as 87 Afterschool, Inc.

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Geronimo Ruiz was hired to be the Executive Director for 87 Afterschool, Inc. Under Geronimo's leadership, the program was relaunched and successfully implemented for the entire 2021-2022 academic year. Thanks to the amazing program staff and PS 87 teachers and administration, 87 Afterschool, Inc. once again serves a majority of PS 87's student population and now offers more than 60 enriching activities ranging from STEAM to sports to arts.