Hundreds of New Haven High Schoolers Participate in Co-Op After School Program

As the 2024-2025 academic year wrapped up, the students at Dwight Hall’s Co-Op After School (CAS) program reflected upon a successful year. CAS is a collaboration between Dwight Hall at Yale and New Haven’s Cooperative Arts and Humanities Interdistrict Magnet High School that provides diverse after-school activities for Co-Op students, creating an inclusive and enriching environment for all participants. In its sixteenth year, the program now reaches 350 students annually and continues to grow. 

The unique structure of CAS complements Co-Op High School’s award-winning arts programming and fosters community connectedness by providing rich arts and academic programming that is open to students from all arts concentrations, from any grade level, and from any of 20 towns and cities surrounding New Haven. CAS provides free and innovative programming in an inviting environment that focuses on academic enrichment, inclusiveness, and recreational opportunities designed to complement the regular school day.

The after-school program runs Tuesdays through Fridays, from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm during the fall, winter, and spring trimesters. CAS offers diverse classes, including Production and Sound Design, Ceramics Studio, Arts & Crafting, Radio Journalism and Podcasting. Leadership classes (Genders-Sexualities Alliance, Community Service Club), STEAM classes (Yale tutoring, AP Biology), and health/wellness options (Basketball) foster youth leadership development and community mental health. The annual all-school Musical engages the majority of the student body at every level of production, brings together the entire school community and families, and includes a post-performance appreciation dinner.

Some of the program’s success can be attributed to a long-term partnership with the Carolyn Foundation and new collaborations with the City of New Haven’s Office of Community Mental Health Initiatives and with the NewAlliance Foundation. This private and municipal support complements core After School Grant Program funding from the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Co-Op High School students, Dwight Hall at Yale volunteers, and program staff remain eager to create new student-driven programs and to engage younger Co-Op High School students in diverse programmatic offerings.

CAS’s Tutoring and College Prep programs are designed to support Co-Op students as they plan and pursue their postsecondary goals. In addition to academic tutoring, Dwight Hall at Yale tutors assist students with SAT preparation, college essay writing, and offer guidance on choosing majors and career paths. This individualized support helps high schoolers navigate the early stages of the college application process with confidence.

CAS Program Director Paul Bryant Hudson describes Co-Op students as “creators and artists at the core” who produce “high quality art and events.” This year, over 100 students were involved in a production of Into the Woods. From those who participated in the school’s ensemble to those who worked on the tech crew, all students’ yearlong efforts contributed to three sold-out performances in the 325-seat main stage theater in March 2025. Mr. Hudson continued, “Programming improves students’ academic success and creates greater connectedness within the school community.”

Paul emphasized the importance of student feedback in designing programs. He asks students questions such as: “Are you interested in running this program again? Or do you have other ideas? What are some things you want to talk about or some social issues you want to address?” With these responses, students and faculty collaborate to develop a curriculum that is both educational and interesting to all students involved. Then, students are given the opportunity to create or lead the program themselves to build leadership skills.

To further embed student feedback into program planning, CAS recently launched a new outcomes-driven tool modeled on the Survey of Academic and Youth Outcomes-Youth. Ninety-eight percent of Co-Op After School respondents (n=40) said that they like coming to CAS.

CAS addresses the needs of Co-Op High School students and inspires learning, provides a fun and nurturing environment, and supports working families. In the 2025-2026 academic year, Co-Op After School plans to build upon current initiatives and continue to encourage students to pursue leadership positions and curate their own curricula.