Enrichment

All About Theatre
1010 River Street, Santa Cruz
831.345.6340
allabouttheatre.org

Celebrating nearly 23 years of theater, and over 175 productions in Santa Cruz County. Offering training in the performing arts for children aged (3-6), Youth (6-10), Pre-teen (10-13) & Teens (13-17) and Adults. Our upcoming Winter Season; Alice in Wonderland Jr. and Footloose the Musical, will be performing at our new home The Colligan Theater, located in the heart of the Tannery Arts Center at 1010 River Street, Santa Cruz. With a new state-of-the-art theater, we will be offering training and advancement classes in audio visual, stage managing, lighting design, broadway dance, voice and more…. There’s a place for everyone! Come be a part of the magic of theater this December and in 2025.

“Our family loves this amazing community! We started a year and a half ago and my daughter has flourished and challenged herself. Lindsey Chester has brought out gifts that my daughter did not know that she has. Please run, don’t walk and join us!” – Joanna E.

British Swim School of Santa Cruz – Almaden
1261 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, inside 24 Hour Fitness
408.647.1526
[email protected]
britishswimschool.com/santa-cruz-almaden/24-hour-fitness-santa-cruz

Continuing swim lessons during the winter months at British Swim School offers numerous benefits for your child. Our year-round, indoor heated pool ensures a comfortable environment for learning. Regular swimming strengthens the immune system by boosting white blood cell count, helping fend off illnesses. It reinforces muscle memory for survival skills and stroke techniques, essential for the upcoming swim season. Additionally, swimming reduces anxiety, enhances mental clarity, and releases endorphins, promoting overall well-being. Lessons also build water confidence, teaching students to overcome fears. This balanced exercise improves muscular strength, cardiovascular health, and coordination, while fostering trust and respect between instructors and students.

City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department
323 Church Street, Santa Cruz
831.420.5270

Kickstart your New Year by getting healthy and active with Parks and Recreation! Explore fitness classes, nature trails, sports leagues, and community events designed for all ages and abilities. Connect with nature, stay motivated, and enjoy fun activities while improving your physical and mental well-being. Start today for a healthier you!

Drawn 2 Art Studios
19C Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos
831.661.5652
drawn2artclasses.com
[email protected]

Drawn2Art offers a “Free Introductory Art Class,” ages 4 years- Teens/Adults. The trial Class is a nice introduction into the program and the student takes home a finished picture. The program is designed to the student’s level of ability, each student works independently at their own pace/artistic level. The techniques are based in a traditional/classical approach, using different mediums/subject matter. Classes are available throughout the week and are broken up into different age groups. Seasonal Camps are offered throughout the school year. Call us at: (831) 661-5652 or email us: [email protected]. Sign-Up Now and Join Us for educational fun!

International Academy of Dance
IADance.com | NutcrackerSantaCruz.com
[email protected]
831.466.0458

International Academy of Dance, home of Santa Cruz City Ballet, provides world class instruction in Classical Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz. The studio is an encouraging and supportive community from ages two to eighty-two. It is our mission to inspire students of all ages to develop a lifelong love of dance. Through choreography, balance, agility, strength and flexibility, we work with each dancer to hone artistry, technique, focus and musicality. We aspire to bring joy and generate growth in every class. We can’t wait to see you in the studio! Come see us on stage at Nutcracker: Experience The Magic at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater, Dec. 21 & 22!

“I love the twirling snowflakes, waltzing flowers and the naughty gingerbread in the Santa Cruz City Ballet Nutcracker. Best of all is the joy of the performers. The venue at the Crocker Theater is the best. My family comes back to watch the performance year after year!” – Attendee

Jim Booth Swim School
Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz and Watsonville
831.722.3500
Jimboothswimschool.com

Be a water wonder! Lessons for all ages! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to Aquaphobics, our adult beginner class, the whole family splashes together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree pools that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School!

Junebug’s Gym
3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz
831.464.BUGS (2847)
junebugsgym.com

JuneBug’s Gym is a place where your child can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. Our caring staff encourages your child to build strength and confidence through movement. Through gymnastics, we help them master fundamental motor skills and nurture their self-esteem. To learn more, see our website at JuneBugsgym.com!

MusicalMe, Inc. offering Music Together™
Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County
Call/Text: 831.332.9002
[email protected]
musicalme.com

Elevate your family’s experience with the gift of music! Explore the wonders of Music Together®, a cutting-edge music enrichment program for children aged birth to 5, and the adults who hold them dear. This research-backed program not only enhances your child’s development across various domains but also strengthens family bonds, offering a valuable addition to your parenting toolkit. Siblings (infants under 8 months are free!) are welcome. Contact us for a free class or gift certificate (GREAT holiday gift!).

Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, Inc.
2750 B Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
831.462.0655
scgym.com

At Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center our mission is to build a community of people that all support each other’s growth, learning, safety and development through our love of gymnastics and fun. From preschool to competitive programs, kids will learn skills such as rolls, handstands, and cartwheels. We also focus on age-appropriate school readiness skills such as waiting in line, sharing, taking turns, and color/number/shape recognition. We know that every child can benefit from gymnastics, physically, emotionally and cognitively so we offer something for everyone. Check out our website for more information and class registration.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
831.420.6115
[email protected]
santacruzmuseum.org/camp

Discover the marvels of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s seasonal day camps! Through hands-on exploration, creative experiments, and outdoor adventures, campers will ignite curiosity, develop a passion for science, and connect with their community. This winter, students will explore the season’s mysteries, learn how plants and animals adapt, and investigate weather patterns. In spring, super sleuths will enjoy crafting, games, and scientific discovery. Our camps inspire academic success while fostering a love for the environment. Join us for fun, friendship, and a deeper connection to the natural world!

Seven Directions Creative Learning Center
831.713.9392
sevendirections.org
[email protected]

Seven Directions is Santa Cruz’s premiere creative center for kids and teens! Offering instruction in various arts, sciences and more in a lively studio with over 30 live exotic animals, we are committed to helping to nurture students’ self esteem, building lasting friendships and empowering them as artists, learners and creative thinkers.

HEALTH

Alison K. Jackson, DDS
Children’s Dentistry
7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos
831.662.2900
santacruzkidsdentist.com

We provide comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages. We are preventive-dentistry oriented and very thorough in our evaluations and consultations. We have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our premises and are able to treat special, challenging children safely and comfortably under a general anesthesia. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients.

Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Lori Butterworth
[email protected]
831.222.0052
ccamh.org

Caring for a child or teen struggling with their mental health can be a terrifying and isolating experience. As parents, we face unprecedented challenges navigating social media, political unrest, COVID-19, and influences beyond our control. Finding therapy can be frustrating with long waitlists and difficulty accessing affordable care tailored to your child’s unique needs. You are not alone. Affordable, evidence-based youth mental healthcare is now available at the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in the Soquel Village. We offer family-centered, individual, family, and group support as well as free Parent Drop-In sessions with a youth mental health expert.

“CCAMH’s free Parent Drop-In sessions have given me the tools I need to get my 12-year-old off her @%# phone! It’s been a lifesaver for my family.” – Parent

Community Bridges WIC Program
South County/Watsonville
18 W. Lake Avenue Suite A
831.722.7121
North County/Santa Cruz
1105 Water Street, Santa Cruz
831.426.3911
Communitybridges.org/WIC

WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and social services for millions of families, and it plays a crucial role in improving lifetime health for women, their infants, and young children. Part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for over 45 years, WIC serves pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children through their fifth birthday. Annually, Community Bridges WIC program serves over 500 pregnant women, 800 breastfeeding women, 1,100 infants, and 3,800 children offering a comprehensive range of services to promote healthy lifestyles both on-site and online.

“I have received so much help from WIC from nutritional classes to just being able to ask questions like is my child eating enough or are the eating too much and also with breastfeeding support.” – Paloma, WIC participant

Dignity Health-Dominican Hospital
1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz
831.462.7700
DignityHealth.org/SantaCruz

Expert and compassionate care for you and your family This Open Enrollment, choose access to Dignity Health. When you’re comparing health plans this season, consider the advantages of a plan that connects you to Dignity Health, the largest physician network in Santa Cruz County. Like our more than 200 primary and specialty care providers located in more than 100 locations throughout the region. All backed up by Dominican Hospital’s nationally recognized programs for heart, cancer, obstetrics and other specialties. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/SantaCruz.

First 5 Santa Cruz County
831.465.2217
First5scc.org

First 5 Santa Cruz County promotes the healthy development of children from birth to age 5. Parents and caregivers of newborns can contact First 5 to receive a free “Kit for New Parents” with parenting videos, children’s books, information on caring for babies and local resources. First 5 also offers parenting support through the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, a world-renowned program that strengthens families by building positive relationships. To find Triple P classes or quick tips, visit triplep.first5scc.org or facebook.com/triplepscc

SCHOOLS

Gateway School, K-8th grade
255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz
831.423.0341
gatewaysc.org

Located on the west side of Santa Cruz, Gateway School provides students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade with an exemplary education. Small class sizes and programs in Art and Technology, Music, Spanish, and Life Lab complement a robust academic curriculum grounded in Social Emotional Learning. We value collaboration, creativity, and a love of learning, and encourage our students to become compassionate and responsible citizens. Gateway School is the only K-8 school in Santa Cruz accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its mission is to inspire children to lead lives of purpose and compassion through scholarship and citizenship, and all are welcome. Learn more by visiting gateways.org.

Orchard School K-6
2288 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos
831.688.1074
orchardschoolaptos.org

Orchard School, established over 30 years ago, provides a unique, yet comprehensive K-6 education. At Orchard, we weave together the magic of an extraordinary faculty, a 14-acre campus and a down to earth philosophy that nourishes and honors the natural growth and development of children. Small class sizes, an organic garden and an animal farm create enriching “whole child” learning experiences that are hands-on and individualized. We provide Strong Core Academics, Lab-Based Science Curriculum, Art, Music, Physical Theater/Circus Arts, Electives, Ceramics, Archery, Swimming, Leadership, Field Trips, Drama Productions, and more.

Pacific Collegiate School
3004 Mission st. Santa Cruz
831.479.7785
pacificcollegiate.com

Learning at PCS is an adventure where the journey is as important as the successful outcome. We are a free, public charter school in Santa Cruz serving students in grades 7-12. We nurture the whole person—body, mind, and spirit – by providing opportunities for students to explore their interests, celebrate their identities, and find what fuels their curiosity. Applicants to 7th grade under free or reduced price meal programs or 1st generation to college are 30% more likely to get in! Visit www.pacificcollegiate.com to learn more, attend an informational session and make sure to apply for the lottery by Feb 13, 2025.

Santa Cruz Montessori
Ages 18 months – 14 years
Main Campus (Primary and Elementary)
6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Winston Campus (Young Children’s
Community and Jr. High)
244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel
831.476.1646
scms.org

Established in 1964, Santa Cruz Montessori is a non-profit school serving children 18 months to 14 years, celebrating our 60th anniversary this year! Based on a deep understanding of child through adolescent development, our programs meet the interests and needs of our students, engaging and challenging them to do their best. Our community of teachers and parents works together to support our learners and provide an engaging Montessori curriculum including humanities, math, sciences and arts. Our mission: as a Montessori learning community, we inspire life-long learning and a more peaceful world by nurturing the natural development of the whole child.

Santa Cruz City Schools
Sam Rolens
[email protected]
831.419.2927
sccs.net/enroll

At Santa Cruz City Schools, students find belonging, room to explore & high expectations. In Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten, students are welcomed into education with a play-centric, curiosity-driven experience. In Elementary, students learn in classrooms, gardens, kitchens, art studios, and in the field–and in our after-school enrichment programs. In Middle School, we encourage independence and emotional development as students push themselves academically. In High School, we provide countless opportunities: more AP classes, more athletics, more artistic and performance outlets, more leadership opportunities, more community connections and more supports to launch students into their next adventure in college or career excellence.

Santa Cruz Waldorf School, PreK-8
2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz
831.425.0519
santacruzwaldorf.org

Santa Cruz Waldorf School nurtures the whole human being in every individual, cultivating the capacity of head, heart, and hands. We offer a rich and balanced curriculum in which intellectual and artistic development are both vital and fully integrated. Specialty teachers work alongside class teachers to provide students with diverse experiences in language, movement, music, arts, games, and gardening. Our magical, rural campus is nestled in the redwoods above USCS. Our community is warm and joyful. We are committed to protecting childhood, supporting each individual, respecting nature and all life. Santa Cruz Waldorf School cultivates self-directed, empathetic, and free-thinking individuals with the courage and capacities to serve an ever-evolving humanity.