Our back-to-school guide has all the information you need to start the school year off strong! From tutoring and academic support to after-school classes and activities, we have the resources you need to ensure that your child receives all the help and enrichment they need to succeed this school year. Simply looking to keep them busy? Yeah, we’ve got that too!
This guide provides information on the best activities and resources in the Greater Derry Area, serving the towns of Derry, Londonderry, Salem, Windham, Hampstead, Pelham and more. You're guaranteed to find something on this list that will be a fit for your family!
Specifically, this guide includes:
- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL DATES
- ACADEMIC RESOURCES
- AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND CLASSES
- ACTIVITIES
- CHILD CARE
- PARENTING SUPPORT RESOURCES
Please be advised: Our 2021 Back to School Resource Guide is updated frequently, so bookmark this page and check back often!
➡Want to see your business featured in the 2021 Macaroni Kid Derry Back to School Guide? Simply fill out this submission form or email us!
BACK TO SCHOOL DATES:
- Auburn–Wednesday, Sept 1st
- Candia–Thursday, Sept 2nd
- Chester–Monday, August 30th
- Derry–Tuesday, August 31st
- Hampstead–Tuesday, September 7th
- Londonderry–Tuesday, August 31st
- Pelham–Monday, August 30th
- Salem–Wednesday, September 1st
- Timberlane Regional District–Monday, August 30th
- Windham–Wednesday, September 1st
ACADEMIC RESOURCES:
Hartmann Learning Center (Derry)
The Hartmann Learning Center offers tutoring, SAT prep, and other academic aid for students K-12. They also have organizational programs to help your students get organized on their way to success!
Sylvan Learning offers tutoring, academic coaching, and more! Register your child for one of the many programs to give them the help they need!
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND CLASSES:
- Art / Music
- Computing
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Kickboxing / Karate
- Language
- Science
- Swim
ART / MUSIC
Let’s Play Music and Make Art: Preschool Music Classes (Derry and Manchester)
Music for Little Mozarts allows your child to experiment with music in a hands-on and fun environment! Children will learn new musical concepts every week from encouraging and engaging instructors!
Let’s Play Music and Make Art: Preschool Art Classes (Derry)
Art Start is the perfect way to let your little one start expressing themselves. Each week, children will learn about new techniques while using a variety of art mediums!
Let’s Play Music and Make Art: Kindermusik (Derry)
Kindermusik offers classes for babies aged 6 months to 3 years! This class teaches young children about music during periods of critical brain development. Every week, your child will be able to explore the world of music in a new and exciting way!
DeAngelis Studio of Music and Arts (Haverhill)
DeAngelis Studio of Music and Arts has several choices of instruments, fabulous faculty, and schedules designed to work around your busy schedule! Check out the most popular music school in the Merrimack Valley!
Peter Hostage Music Lessons (Londonderry)
Peter Hostage gives music lessons to children 5+ for a variety of instruments! Though he’s located in Londonderry, he proudly serves Londonderry, Derry, Windham, Litchfield, Hudson and surrounding towns. The first lesson is free, so visit his website today!
COMPUTING / TECHNOLOGY
LetGoYourMind School Programs (Concord)
LetGoYourMind offers classes for grades 1-3 and 4-5. Here, children can use LEGOs, motors, gears, and other technology to create new builds each week! Your child can make cool creations and new friends with these programs designed to work around school schedules.
Skill Samurai Coding and Robotics Classes (Windham)
Boost your child’s academic and social skills in these STEM classes offered by Skill Samurai! Children ages 6-18 can build the skills they need for a successful future.
DANCE
Studio of Performing Arts (Atkinson)
Jazz, hip hop, tap, and more! Visit the Studio of Performing Arts and be a part of their 31st year of dance. Fall registration is open now!
Interested in dance and baton twirling? Registration is now open for the fall! There are classes for beginners (3+) who want to try baton twirling for the first time!
Kerry’s Dance Center (Chester)
Children of all ages are welcome to join Kerry’s Dance Center for classes in pre-dance, pointe, acro-jazz, and more! Can’t commit to a class? Have your birthday party at Kerry’s!
The Vitality Place has you covered for dance lessons for kids ages 3-18! With tons of different styles of dance to choose from, there’s so many opportunities for your child to choose from!
Ashley Macleod’s Dance Dreams (Plaistow)
Check out Ashley Macleod’s Dance Dreams for all things tap, jazz, ballet, and more! Register now for their fall schedule!
Above the Barre has children’s dance classes and music classes for little ones and their caregivers! Dance classes are open for ages 0-12, and the “Mommy and Me” music classes are for ages 0-4. There’s still space in their upcoming sessions, so check them out!
Voter’s School of Dance (Salem)
Voter’s School of Dance has classes for children ages 3 and up! With weekday classes taking place after school hours and all-day classes on Saturdays, there’s something for everyone!
Happy Feet Dance School (Windham)
Happy Feet Dance School has classes for kids of all ages! Tiny Tots is the perfect program for 2 year olds, it’s a perfect opportunity to develop new motor skills! There are different levels of Creative Dance programs available as well for children of different ages and skill levels. Additional classes can be found on their website. Sign up today!
Nancy Chippendale’s Dance Studios (Windham)
Nancy Chippendale’s Dance Studios Babysteps Program is perfect for children ages 1-4! This program works with your child and is tailored to fit their individual needs and growth to establish early feelings of self-confidence through music and dance! This dance studio also offers more recreational options for children ages 2-19. Sign up today!
GYMNASTICS
Sign up today for A2 Gym and Cheer’s fall classes! Gymnastics, tumbling, cheerleading, and more are all available. Can’t make it to classes? A2 Gym can host your playdates and birthday parties!
Gym-Ken Gymnastics offers both pre-school and grade school classes, as well as classes like tumbling to develop specific skills. Let your child learn about the sport in a fun and welcoming environment!
Palaestra Gymnastics Academy(Derry)
At Palaestra Gymnastics Academy we offer a Preschool Program, a Recreational program and a Cheer & Tumbling program known as Cheeky Cheer Tumblers, for girls seven – teen. We also offer Parkour classes for children ages five – fourteen, known as Gym Warriors. We also have Competitive Teams.
Phantom Gymnastics (Hampstead)
We offer competitive team, clinics, day camp and team camps, tumbling, birthday parties and open gym for pre-school as well as school-aged children.
KICKBOXING / KARATE
Buzz Durkin’s Karate School (Atkinson)
Buzz Durkin’s Karate School offers a Junior Program perfect for developing not only your child’s athletic skills, but also their social and communication skills and their self-discipline. Learn self-defense in a fun and safe environment this fall!
Woo Kickboxing Academy (Londonderry)
Woo Kickboxing Academy offers kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, MMA classes and more for kids and teens! With no annual contracts, it’s a great way to keep your children active during the school year!
Professional Martial Arts Academy (Plaistow)
PMAA of Plaistow offers kids martial arts classes! Stay active while learning valuable life skills. Beginner classes are enrolling now, sign up today!
LANGUAGE
Windham Academy of Foreign Language (Windham)
Windham Academy of Foreign Language offers adult, children, and pre-school language classes! Little ones pick up languages faster than adults, so if you want your child to start learning a new language, the earlier the better! With an emphasis on fun, these total immersion classes are a great way to give your child a head start to learning another language!
SCIENCE
Mad Science of Western New England After-School Programs (Springfield)
Mad Science of Western New England has after-school programs meant to serve as an extension of your child’s in-school learning. Not only do they get to participate in hands-on activities, children also get to take home a fun science toy or at-home activity! Keep them engaged in STEM beyond the classroom!
SWIM
the Workout Club (Londonderry & Salem)
Swim Lessons and RAYS Swim Team at Salem and Londonderry. Dedicated swim instructors adhere to the standards of excellence set by the American Red Cross “learn to swim program”. The program is specifically designed for anyone who is at least 6 months of age through adulthood. Also, Rockingham Area Youth Swim Team is a year round competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities.
Make this the year your child learns to swim. Introduce them to the joy of swimming by registering for our safe, fun and nurturing lessons. Your child will become more confident, more physically fit and safer while in the water. Children of all ages, regardless of their level, will enjoy our instructors and lessons. We have an easily accessible pool located at the Salem Athletic Club, Salem, NH.
ACTIVITIES:
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire Early Learning Programs (Dover)
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has classes and drop-in activities perfect to keep your young ones busy after school.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire Exploring Our Way Autism Program (Dover)
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire offers programs for children on the autism spectrum. With specially designed classes, your child can learn all about STEAM (science, technology, art, and math). Though this program has been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, you can subscribe to the Exploring Our Way email list to be notified of any updates about the program!
CHILD CARE:
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Derry (Derry)
The Club's mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The afterschool program is a caring environment that fosters social skills, leadership, and personal development!
Child Care at the YMCA of Greater Londonderry (Londonderry)
The YMCA offers holistic before and after-school childcare that provides support to your child. Their early learning center, school age childcare, and more are great ways to keep your child busy!
Create and Discover Learning Center Inc. (Salem)
Create and Discover has child care programs for infants and toddlers! They also offer programs for children in pre-school and pre-kindergarten. These programs and their teachers aim to develop your child’s social skills, independence, and creativity. Their child-first curriculum is a fun and beneficial learning experience for young children!
PARENTING SUPPORT RESOURCES:
I teach parents brain-based parenting tools and strategies so they mindfully and confidently connect to raise resilient and emotionally intelligent kids.
Easterseals - Early Support Services (Salem)
Much of who we become is the result of our experiences within the first three years of life. Family-Centered Early Supports & Services (ESS) utilizes each child’s natural curiosity to create experiences that enhance growth and development in partnership with their families and their caregivers.
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