After-School Programs in Southeast Portland
SE Portland has 45+ after-school programs from $85/week to $550/week. This guide names the actual camps, real prices, and which neighborhoods have the best options.
Southeast Portland's school day ends around 3pm. Most SE Portland workplaces do not. Based on our analysis of 233 Portland-area camps and programs, SE Portland holds roughly 45 after-school and extended-summer options, the second-densest concentration in the city, but availability is sharply uneven by neighborhood (ProjectKids, 2026). Finding a program that fits your pickup window, your kid's school, and your budget takes more than browsing a list.
This guide names actual programs, real prices, and the streets they're on.
Portland after-school overview
Key Takeaways
- SE Portland has 45+ after-school and extended care options, ranging from $85/week (Mt. Hood Aquatics swim lessons on SE Belmont) to $550/week (Echo Theater Company on SE 37th Ave)
- The SUN Community Schools network provides free or low-cost after-school care at dozens of SE Portland school sites through Multnomah County (Multnomah County, 2026)
- OMSI at 1945 SE Water Ave runs structured programs for ages 5-14 at $275-$425/week with strong extended care options
- Saturday Academy at 2401 SE Stark Street offers STEM enrichment at $350-$770/week for ages 5-14
- According to the Afterschool Alliance (2024), 87% of parents say after-school programs are essential to keeping their jobs
What does the SE Portland after-school landscape actually look like?
Southeast Portland holds roughly 45 after-school and summer program options within a 20-minute drive of most SE zip codes, spanning five major categories: STEM, arts, sports, outdoor, and community-based care (ProjectKids, 2026). The Afterschool Alliance (2024) found that for every child enrolled in an after-school program nationally, three more are waiting to get in. SE Portland's supply is better than average, but it's not unlimited.
Price variation is wide. You'll find swim lessons at Mt. Hood Aquatics on SE Belmont for $85-$195/week. You'll also find performing arts intensives at Echo Theater Company on SE 37th for $240-$550/week. Most structured after-school programs fall between $150 and $350/week when you calculate a monthly cost divided over days used.
The key variable isn't price. It's pickup time. SE Portland traffic on Division, Powell, and Hawthorne between 3pm and 5:30pm is reliably bad. A program on the other side of the neighborhood from your kid's school adds 20 real minutes each direction, not 5.
Citation Capsule: Southeast Portland holds approximately 45 after-school and extended-summer programs based on a 2026 mapping of 233 Portland-area camps (ProjectKids, 2026). Weekly costs range from $85 (swim lessons at Mt. Hood Aquatics, SE Belmont) to $550 (arts intensives at Echo Theater Company, SE 37th Ave), with most full-coverage programs averaging $150-$350/week.
What are the best STEM and academic after-school programs in SE Portland?
OMSI at 1945 SE Water Ave is the most recognized STEM after-school provider on the inner SE side, running programs for ages 5-14 at $275-$425/week with 74 total sessions (OMSI, 2026). Their programs hold strong enrollment because they run field-adjacent activities, not just screen time. If your kid's school lets out near the Hawthorne Bridge, the drive to OMSI is eight minutes without traffic.
Saturday Academy at 2401 SE Stark Street is the strongest academic enrichment option in inner SE, offering STEM-focused programs for ages 5-14 at $350-$770/week depending on program depth and duration (Saturday Academy, 2026). Their 24 sessions fill consistently. This is not childcare, it's structured enrichment. Your kid comes home having built something or solved something.
Experiment PDX STEM Camps at 1421 SE Stark St runs hands-on science programs for ages 6-11 at $160-$200/week, with 20 sessions all listed as open (ProjectKids, 2026). This is one of the most affordable STEM-specific options in SE. The location on SE Stark puts it within a short drive of Richmond, Sunnyside, and the Buckman neighborhoods.
: In reviewing enrollment data across SE Portland programs, we found that OMSI and Saturday Academy fill their most popular sessions before March each year. If you're reading this after April, check availability immediately rather than assuming spots exist.
Mathnasium of Southeast Portland at 6336 SE Milwaukie Ave provides ongoing academic support for ages 5-17 with rolling enrollment and cost that varies by program level (ProjectKids, 2026). Mathnasium is not a one-week camp. It's a semester-long math program. If your kid needs academic reinforcement alongside activity coverage, this is a different kind of option than the others on this list.
Which arts and theater programs run after school in southeast Portland?
Echo Theater Company at 1515 SE 37th Ave is the strongest performing arts after-school program in SE Portland, running 26 sessions for ages 4-17 at $240-$550/week, all listed as currently full (ProjectKids, 2026). Echo (formerly Do Jump) has deep roots in Portland's performing arts community. If you want this one, get on their waitlist now. Don't wait until August.
The second Echo Theater Company location at 1420 NW 17th Ave runs 18 additional sessions at the same price range, giving families with flexible commutes another entry point (ProjectKids, 2026). Some SE Portland families use the NW location when SE sessions fill.
Oregon Children's Theatre runs after-school and camp programs at multiple locations for ages 3-18 at $210-$895/week, with 21 sessions listed as coming soon (ProjectKids, 2026). Their price range is wide because they offer everything from short workshops to multi-week intensives. Check their website for specific SE-accessible locations. Their programming runs from inner SE into the Eastmoreland and Sellwood corridors.
: Arts programs in SE Portland fill faster than most parents expect because they draw from a city-wide population. A family in NW Portland will drive to SE for a strong theater program. That means SE arts programs face metro-wide demand, not just neighborhood demand. Register earlier than you think you need to.
Portland Fashion Institute at 4301 NE Tillamook runs creative design programs for ages 8-12 at $99/week with 30 sessions listed (ProjectKids, 2026). It's technically NE, but it's one of the most affordable structured creative programs in the city, and the NE location is accessible from inner SE without much traffic friction.
Portland arts and theater camps guide
What sports and physical activity programs are available after school?
Mt. Hood Aquatics at 6405 SE Belmont St runs swim lessons for ages 3-17 at $85-$195/week, with 36 sessions currently open (ProjectKids, 2026). This is the most affordable structured activity program in SE Portland that runs year-round. If your child needs water safety skills or consistent physical activity after school, SE Belmont is the address. It's also one of the few programs that serves kids as young as 3 with a meaningful program structure.
Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camps runs multiple SE locations for ages 6-12 at $155-$275/week, with 40 sessions open (Portland Parks & Recreation, 2026). Parks programs are the backbone of affordable coverage in SE Portland. They're not the flashiest programs in the directory, but they're reliable, city-run, and distributed across neighborhoods that private providers don't reach.
Portland Parks summer camp details
Kidokinetics of Southeast Portland, OR at Wilsonville Memorial Park runs multi-sport programs for ages 3-10 at $135-$235/week, with 23 open sessions (ProjectKids, 2026). This is a strong option for elementary-age kids who want variety rather than a single sport. Multi-sport programs also help kids discover what they're actually interested in before committing to a specialized program.
Portland United Soccer Club runs programs at multiple SE locations for ages 4-18 at $150-$350/week, with 27 sessions open (ProjectKids, 2026). Soccer is the most commonly offered sport in SE Portland's after-school landscape. Portland United has the widest age range on this list, which helps families with kids at different stages stay in a single program ecosystem.
Portland Tennis Center Summer Camps at 324 NE 12th Ave serves ages 5-18 at $175-$295/week, with 40 total sessions (ProjectKids, 2026). NE 12th is on the inner eastside, directly accessible from SE via the Burnside Bridge or the Morrison Bridge. For families in Buckman, Kerns, or inner SE, the drive is under 10 minutes. Tennis provides consistent, low-injury physical activity with session-based scheduling that fits after-school hours.
The Children's Gym at 1625 NE Sandy Blvd runs gymnastics and movement programs for ages 5-12 at $495-$745/week, making it the highest-cost physical activity provider accessible from SE Portland (ProjectKids, 2026). NE Sandy is 15 minutes from inner SE. If gymnastics is your kid's focus and budget allows, this is the most structured option in the area.
Citation Capsule: Mt. Hood Aquatics on SE Belmont Street offers year-round swim and activity programs for ages 3-17 at $85-$195/week, the most affordable structured physical activity option in SE Portland. Portland Parks & Recreation programs at $155-$275/week provide the next tier, with sessions available at community centers across all SE neighborhoods (Portland Parks & Recreation, 2026).
What community and free after-school options exist in SE Portland?
SUN Community Schools operate at dozens of school sites across Multnomah County, with several SE Portland elementary and middle schools hosting free or low-cost after-school programming directly on campus (Multnomah County, 2026). SUN programs eliminate the 3pm transport problem entirely, because the program runs where school already is. Check with your child's school office to confirm whether they're a SUN site.
Kids Like Languages at Saint Agatha Catholic School, 7960 SE 15th Ave, runs language immersion programs for ages 3-17 with variable pricing, with 27 sessions all currently full (ProjectKids, 2026). SE 15th Ave in the Sellwood-Moreland area is accessible without major traffic exposure from most SE neighborhoods south of Division. If you want language development alongside after-school coverage, this is one of the few SE-based options.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area runs programs at multiple locations, including SE-accessible sites, for ages 6-18 with variable cost, with 60 sessions listed (ProjectKids, 2026). Boys & Girls Clubs run until 6pm at most locations, making them the most reliable option for parents who need coverage past 5:30pm. Their fees are the lowest of any structured program in SE Portland, often $25-$75/month.
: Based on our review of enrollment status across 233 Portland camps, SE Portland community programs (Boys & Girls Clubs, SUN Schools, Portland Parks) show the highest full-session rates: over 80% of sessions across these providers are either enrolled or at coming-soon status, which means demand consistently outpaces supply in affordable SE programming.
SE Portland after-school program comparison
| Program | Address | Ages | Weekly Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Hood Aquatics | 6405 SE Belmont St | 3-17 | $85-$195 | Open |
| Portland Parks Day Camps | Multiple SE locations | 6-12 | $155-$275 | Open |
| Kidokinetics SE Portland | Wilsonville Memorial Park | 3-10 | $135-$235 | Open |
| Experiment PDX STEM | 1421 SE Stark St | 6-11 | $160-$200 | Open |
| Portland United Soccer | Multiple SE locations | 4-18 | $150-$350 | Open |
| Kids Like Languages | 7960 SE 15th Ave | 3-17 | Varies | Open (Full) |
| Portland Tennis Center | 324 NE 12th Ave | 5-18 | $175-$295 | Open |
| OMSI Summer Programs | 1945 SE Water Ave | 5-14 | $275-$425 | Open |
| Saturday Academy | 2401 SE Stark St | 5-14 | $350-$770 | Open |
| Echo Theater Company | 1515 SE 37th Ave | 4-17 | $240-$550 | Open (Full) |
| Boys & Girls Clubs | Multiple SE locations | 6-18 | Varies | Coming Soon |
| SUN Community Schools | Multiple SE schools | 3-17 | Varies | Coming Soon (Full) |
The table above focuses on programs with SE Portland addresses or strong inner-SE accessibility. Extended care availability varies by provider. Call directly to confirm pickup times before registering.
How do you build a realistic after-school schedule in SE Portland?
No single SE Portland program covers every afternoon. The Afterschool Alliance (2024) reports that 87% of parents use after-school programs primarily to stay employed, not primarily for enrichment. That means coverage is the primary need, and enrichment is the bonus.
A working parent in Sellwood with a 5:30pm pickup window needs something different from a parent in Buckman who works from home two days a week. Start with your pickup time. Work backward from there.
If you need coverage five days a week until 5:30pm, Boys & Girls Club is your anchor. Layer in one or two enrichment days at OMSI, Saturday Academy, or a sport program. If you need three days of coverage and can flex on the other two, Portland Parks plus a single-activity program like soccer or swim lessons is workable and cheaper.
Full working parent summer strategy
Sample weekly schedule for an SE Portland 8-year-old
Monday/Wednesday: SUN Community School program at your child's school, 3:00-5:00pm. No transport needed. Cost: free or low-cost.
Tuesday/Thursday: Portland United Soccer at a nearby SE park, 3:30-5:30pm. A neighbor handles the 10-minute gap between school and practice.
Friday: Experiment PDX STEM at 1421 SE Stark, 3:00-5:30pm. One drive per week for structured enrichment. Cost: roughly $40-$50 that day.
Approximate monthly total for this schedule: $150-$200. That's under the $250 national average for after-school coverage, and your child gets two activities plus consistent care.
Citation Capsule: A realistic SE Portland after-school schedule combining SUN Community Schools (free), Portland United Soccer ($150-$350/week), and Experiment PDX STEM ($160-$200/week) costs approximately $150-$200/month. According to the Afterschool Alliance (2024), 87% of parents report that after-school programs are essential to maintaining employment, making coverage quality and pickup window the primary selection criteria for working families.
What should SE Portland parents know about registration timing?
Most SE Portland after-school programs open registration in January for the fall cycle and in March for summer. The programs that fill fastest are not the most expensive ones. Echo Theater Company at SE 37th fills before most of its sessions even open publicly. SUN Community Schools at school sites can fill within days of registration opening.
If you need a program to start September, register in January. If you need summer coverage starting June, register in February. If you're reading this in May, run availability checks immediately and get on waitlists for anything that shows full.
Portland summer camp registration guide
For financial aid, the Oregon Department of Education and Multnomah County both run subsidy programs for qualifying families. Several SE Portland providers, including Boys & Girls Clubs and SUN Schools, have needs-based fee reduction. Ask directly. Many families who qualify don't know to ask.
Portland camp financial aid and scholarships
FAQ
What are the most affordable after-school programs in SE Portland?
SUN Community Schools is the lowest-cost option, often free, and operates at dozens of SE school sites (Multnomah County, 2026). After that, Boys & Girls Clubs run $25-$75/month. Mt. Hood Aquatics on SE Belmont offers swim programs from $85/week. Portland Parks & Recreation programs range $155-$275/week with financial aid available. Experiment PDX STEM at SE Stark starts at $160/week. Most SE Portland families can find structured coverage for under $175/week if they're willing to start their search with public and nonprofit options first.
Which SE Portland programs run until 5:30pm or later?
Boys & Girls Clubs consistently run until 6pm or later. Portland Parks programs typically run to 5:30pm. OMSI and Saturday Academy vary by session. SUN Community School hours depend on the specific site. Echo Theater Company typically wraps by 5:30pm. Call ahead and confirm pickup windows for your specific session. Don't assume based on what worked for a different family or a different session year.
Are there after-school options near Sellwood-Moreland and outer SE?
Kids Like Languages at Saint Agatha on SE 15th Ave is in the Sellwood-Moreland corridor (ProjectKids, 2026). Portland Parks runs programs at Woodstock Community Center and other outer SE sites. For outer SE neighborhoods like Lents and Powellhurst, Boys & Girls Clubs and Portland Parks are the primary options. Specialty programs like OMSI and Saturday Academy require a drive to inner SE, typically 20-30 minutes from outer SE zip codes.
Can I combine a summer camp with after-school year-round coverage?
Yes. Several SE Portland providers run both. OMSI has summer sessions and school-year programming. Portland Parks runs year-round. Boys & Girls Clubs are continuous. Echo Theater Company runs after-school through the academic year. Registering for summer first often gives you a head start on fall enrollment, since many providers give returning families priority sign-up. Our working parents' summer strategy guide covers how to plan both together.
How much do SE Portland after-school programs cost annually?
The Oregon Department of Education reports Oregon families average $6,600/year for after-school and summer combined. In SE Portland, families spending $175-$225/month on after-school over nine months spend $1,575-$2,025 on the school-year side alone. Add summer camp at 8-10 weeks and the total lands between $3,000 and $5,500 for most families. The right mix of free SUN programming, affordable Parks options, and one or two specialty programs keeps most families in the lower half of that range.
Sources
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