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February Vacation Program - NEW
February 17-20, 2026
We’re thrilled to kick off our 2026 Vacation Programs with a new school vacation week program in February! This program is for students ages 6-8 and 9-12 and offers instruction in four media: visual arts, mixed media, fiber arts, and woodworking. Participants enroll in one of two tracks: woodworking and visual arts OR mixed media and fiber arts. This program runs from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday.
Learn more about this program here!
April Vacation Program
April 21-24, 2026
Join us for an expanded April Vacation Program in 2026! We will offer instruction in visual arts, mixed media, fiber arts, and woodworking for students ages 6-8 and 9-12. Participants enroll in one of two tracks: woodworking and visual arts OR mixed media and fiber arts. This program runs from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday.
Learn more about this program here!
Summer Program for Children
June 29-August 14, 2026
It's back! Our much-loved Summer Program for Children is open to students ages 6-8 and 9-12. Families can sign up for full or half days of programming in woodworking, visual art, mixed media, and fiber arts. Standard programming runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Learn more about this program here!
Information for Enrolled Families
Required Forms
In order to best care for our students, we require their guardians complete a Vacation Program Participant Form before their child(ren)’s first day of programming. Instructions to complete this form will be sent directly to enrolled families. An individual form must be completed for each enrolled child. This form is only submitted once per child per calendar year, regardless of how many Vacation Programs in which they are enrolled.
To request a Vacation Program Participant Form in Spanish or Haitian Kreyòl or hard copy, please contact the Community Education Manager.
We do not need documents from physicals or immunization records.
What to Bring
- Water bottle
- Lunch
- Two snacks for morning and afternoon breaks
- Close-toed shoes like sneakers or boots if enrolled in woodworking (no Crocs, please)
- Hair tie or clip to hold back long hair if enrolled in woodworking
- Epi-Pens, medications, or inhalers (if applicable)
- During Winter Vacation Programs:
- Warm, water proof clothing (optional, to play outside)
- During Summer Vacation Programs:
- Sun protection, e.g., hat, sunscreen
- Swimsuit and towel (optional, to play in sprinklers on hot days)
- Change of clothes (optional)
Program Staff Contacts
Emma Ellis, Senior Manager of Youth Programs
- 617-553-1387
- [email protected]
- Program manager
Shivani Bhagania, Community Education Coordinator
- 617-524-3313
- [email protected]
- Handles class registration, payments, and waitlists
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Policies
- Children must be signed in and out on our attendance sheet daily.
- Children under 11 years old will only be released to individuals on their pick-up list in their Participant Information Form. Any change in pick-up plans must be recorded in writing on our attendance sheet.
- Children 11 and older may sign themselves in and out of the program if written permission has been given in their Participant Information Form.
- Children 13 and older may self dismiss as default.
- An older sibling may pick up a child under 11, providing they are at least 11 years of age and the parent/guardian has given notice.
- Please pick your child(ren) up promptly at designated pick-up times. You will be charged $20 for every additional 15 minutes.
- Please do not bring any pets with you to pick up or drop off your child(ren). We have members of our community that are highly sensitive/allergic to animals.
- SPFC only, if you are more than 15 minutes late to Afternoon pick-up, your child(ren) will be sent to Extended Day, and you will be charged $30.
Absence, Late Arrival, Early Dismissal
If your child(ren) need to miss a day of programming, arrive late, or leave early, please contact Eliot School administrative staff at 617-524-3313 as soon as possible.
Refunds and Withdrawals (Updated for 2026)
General Vacation Program Refund & Withdrawal Policies
- It is not possible to withdraw directly through our website. Please contact our Community Education Coordinator to withdraw.
- All refunds are subject to a $20 processing fee from our payment platform.
- Registrations made within two weeks of program start dates are considered “late registrations” and are ineligible for refunds.
- Please refer to the individual programs below for relevant withdrawal deadlines to qualify for full and/or partial refunds.
- If a serious illness, major injury, or death in the family means you need to withdraw from a class outside of our normal time allowance, please speak with our Community Education Coordinator to make special arrangements.
2026 February Vacation Week Deadlines
- Full refunds given up through Friday, January 16, 2026
- 50% refund given up through Monday, February 2, 2026
- No refunds given after Tuesday, February 3, 2026
2026 April Vacation Week Deadlines
- Full refunds given up through Friday, March 20, 2026
- 50% refund given up through Monday, April 6, 2026
- No refunds given after Tuesday, April 7, 2026
2026 Summer Program for Children
- Full refunds given up through Friday, May 1, 2026
- 50% refund given up through Friday, June 5, 2026
- No refunds given after Saturday, June 6, 2026
- Registrations made after June 5 are considered “late registrations” and are ineligible for refunds
Financial Aid
The Eliot School is committed to making our classes and workshops as accessible as possible to all people regardless of age, ability, background, or economic means. We are happy to offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships to increase access to arts programming for young people. Please note that due to high demand, there are additional terms and conditions for Vacation Program financial aid.
To apply for a scholarship for our February and/or April Vacation Programs, please complete our standard Scholarship Application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the programs fill.
At this time, we have distributed all available scholarship funds for our 2026 Summer Program for Children.
If applying for multiple children and/or programs, families must submit separate applications for each program and child.
By filling out our scholarship application, you agree to abide by the following scholarship policies:
- Families with income-related benefits, e.g., EBT, SSI, SSDI, TANF, Veterans' Benefit, WIC, Pell Grants, receive priority for full scholarships.
- If a student can no longer attend a program for which they received a scholarship, they need to be formally withdrawn by the following dates. Improper withdrawal may affect future scholarship eligibility.
- February Vacation, Monday, February 2, 2026
- April Vacation, Monday, April 6, 2026
- Summer Program for Children, Friday, June 5, 2026
- Full attendance is expected for all students. If a student misses two or more days of a week of program, they will be ineligible for financial aid for one year. This may be waived in special circumstances.
- Scholarship awards are not finalized until they are formally accepted by the applicant. The Eliot School may rescind and redistribute financial aid awards if acceptance procedure is not followed.
Health and Safety Policies
MEDICATION: Program Staff may administer prescription and over the counter medication. All medication must be stored in its original container with the label attached, clearly labeled with the medication name and strength, child’s first and last name, expiration date, and instructions.
Below is a list of symptoms that preclude children from participating in Eliot School programming, as well as the conditions that must be fulfilled for them to return.
FEVER: Children may not participate in Eliot School programming with a temperature above 100.4 degrees. They must be free of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to the Schoolhouse.
RASH: Children exhibiting a rash other than a common skin irritation may not participate in Eliot School programming. Families must provide a written doctor’s note with a non-contagious diagnosis to return to the Schoolhouse.
CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE): Children with an unusual amount of eye discharge or irritation may not participate in Eliot School programming. Families must provide a written doctor’s note with a diagnosis to return to the Schoolhouse. In instances of BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS, children must receive at least 24 hours of treatment before returning. In instances of VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS, your child may return once there is no discharge. If the diagnosis is not conjunctivitis, the doctor’s note must indicate whether the condition is contagious.
THICK WHITE, GREEN, OR YELLOW DISCHARGE: Children exhibiting any thick white, green, or yellow discharge may not participate in Eliot School programming. Families must provide a written doctor’s note with a non-contagious diagnosis to return to the Schoolhouse.
DIARRHEA: Children with two or more loose bowel movements in one day may not participate in Eliot School programming. Children must be symptom free for 24 hours with at least one regular bowel movement before returning to the Schoolhouse.
VOMITING: Children may not participate in Eliot School programming if they vomit. Before returning to the schoolhouse, children must be symptom free with no vomiting for 24 hours.
PERSISTENT HACKING COUGH: Children with a persistent hacking cough may not participate in Eliot School programming. Families must provide a written doctor’s note with a non-contagious diagnosis to return to the Schoolhouse.
LICE: Children with lice may not participate in Eliot School programming. Before returning to the Schoolhouse, they must have received treatment at least 24 hours prior and be nit free.
STREP THROAT: Children diagnosed with strep throat must stay home until at least 24 hours have passed since they began treatment. They can return to program once their symptoms resolve and they are fever-free without the use of medication.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESS: A child infected with a respiratory illness, e.g., COVID-19, influenza, RSV, must remain home until their symptoms are resolved and they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication. When they return to program they are asked to wear a mask for the next five days, if they can reliably do so.
Code of Conduct
All students and families enrolled in an Eliot School Youth Vacation Program must abide by this code of conduct as a condition for participating in our programs.
Student Code of Conduct
All students and families enrolled in an Eliot School Vacation Program must abide by this code of conduct as a condition for participating in our programs.
- No violence or bullying of any kind, including harassing actions or language.
- Respect differences in race, ethnicity, age, ancestry, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status or any other element of a person’s unique identity.
- Be kind, considerate, and respectful to all staff members, students, peers, community members, and guests.
- Treat all art supplies, equipment, and property belonging to the Eliot School, staff members, and fellow students/families with care.
- Contribute to a safe, comfortable, positive environment for all community members. Be supportive of one another, especially regarding individual artistic abilities and creative efforts.
- Students are not permitted to have cell phones during program hours. They should be stored and on silent. In some emergency situations, staff may give permission for phones to be used.
- Address concerns respectfully, directly, and in good faith with Eliot School staff.