Cost
Free - No cost to families, includes meals
Lyons Community School
Free School's Out NYC (SONYC) middle school program for grades 6-8 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, provided by Grand Street Settlement
The School’s Out New York City (SONYC): Lyons Community School program is operated by Grand Street Settlement, delivering engaging middle school programming since 1916. This free DYCD-funded program provides comprehensive afterschool and summer services for students in grades 6-8, focusing on social-emotional learning, enrichment, academic support, and leadership development. The program includes nutritious meals throughout the summer provided by DOE School Foods.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 223 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206 |
| Borough | Brooklyn (Williamsburg/East Williamsburg) |
| Provider | Grand Street Settlement, Inc. |
| Website | grandstreet.org |
| Phone | (212) 674-XXXX |
| tjohnson-lopez@grandsettlement.org | |
| Contact | Tatiana Johnson-Lopez, Program Coordinator |
Age Range
Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
Program Type
School-Based SONYC
Category
Youth Development
Grand Street Settlement provides rich, diverse programming designed specifically for middle school youth:
Creative Arts & Media:
- Filmmaking & Film Study - Create videos, learn production techniques, analyze cinema
- Art Projects - Drawing, painting, and multimedia arts
- Podcasting/Blogging - Digital storytelling and content creation
Academic & STEM:
- Academic Literacy/Literature - Reading enrichment and comprehension strategies
- Mad Science - Exciting hands-on science experiments
- Science Experiments - Discovery learning and scientific method
Sports & Recreation:
- Table Tennis - Skills training and tournaments
- Soccer - Team play and athletic development
- Softball - Seasonal leagues and practice
- Cheerleading - Spirit, teamwork, and performance
- Recreation and Enrichment - Games, activities, and fun
Leadership & Personal Development:
- Community Building/Leadership - Developing leadership skills and civic engagement
- Youth Council/Advisory Board - Student voice in program decisions
- Youth Empowerment - Building confidence and self-advocacy
- Leadership Skill Development - Communication, teamwork, and responsibility
- Strategy Gaming - Critical thinking through games
- Interactive Games - Team building and collaboration
Health & Wellness:
- Health Education - Healthy living, healthy relationships, physical fitness
- Social Emotional Learning - Self-awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making
- Mental Health Support - Counseling and wellness resources
Career & Civic Engagement:
- Exploring Futures - Career exploration and planning
- Government Studies - Understanding civic systems and participation
- Community Service - Giving back and making impact
Inclusive Programming:
- LGBTQ+ Support - Safe, affirming spaces for all identities
- Special Education - Accommodations and individualized support
- Transgender Participant Support - Inclusive policies and trained staff
Over a Century of Service - Since 1916
Grand Street Settlement began as a settlement house on NYC’s Lower East Side, serving immigrant families navigating a new country. Today, they continue that mission of connecting families to opportunity through:
Historical Legacy:
- 1916 - Founded to serve immigrant families on the Lower East Side
- Rose Gruening - Visionary founder whose legacy continues today (recently honored with “The Rose Center”)
- 109 Years - Continuous service through Depression, World Wars, and modern challenges
- Expansion - Grew from one location to multiple sites across Manhattan and Brooklyn
Modern Impact:
- Serves thousands of children and families annually
- Operates early childhood programs (Head Start, Pre-K)
- Runs youth development programs across age groups
- Provides adult education and workforce training
- Offers senior services and aging programs
- Recent $3.2M investment in child care infrastructure
SONYC Program Excellence:
- Evidence-based curriculum aligned with DOE standards
- Trained, caring staff with background checks and ongoing professional development
- Safe, supervised environments during critical after-school hours
- Parent engagement and family partnerships
- Data tracking to measure student progress
- Community partnerships for enrichment opportunities
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Contact Program Coordinator Email Tatiana Johnson-Lopez at tjohnson-lopez@grandsettlement.org to inquire about availability and program fit.
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Verify student eligibility Student must be enrolled in grades 6-8 at Lyons Community School.
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Attend information session Learn about program expectations, schedules, and opportunities at an info session for families.
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Complete enrollment packet Fill out all required forms including emergency contacts, health information, and media releases.
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Submit required documents Provide proof of enrollment, immunization records, and any IEP or accommodation needs.
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Participate in orientation Student and family attend orientation to meet staff, tour facilities, and get program schedules.
Directoryenrollment-packet/
- SONYC registration form
- Emergency contact information (minimum 2 contacts)
- Medical information and immunization records
- Proof of school enrollment (report card or letter)
- Parent/guardian photo ID
- Photo/media release consent (optional)
- Pick-up authorization with valid IDs
- IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable)
- Any special accommodation requests
- Participants must be currently enrolled in Middle School, grades 6-8 at Lyons Community School
Located in Williamsburg/East Williamsburg with convenient transit access:
- Subway: Graham Avenue Station (L train) - Right at the school location
- Subway: Montrose Avenue Station (L train) - 0.3 miles north
- Bus: B48 (Lorimer St), B43 (Broadway), Q59 (Metropolitan Ave)
- Bike: Citi Bike stations on Graham Avenue and Metropolitan Avenue
- Protected Bike Lanes: Graham Avenue has bike infrastructure
- Car: Street parking available; metered spots on main streets
McCarren Park
Major community park (35.5 acres) with playgrounds, pool, track, sports fields, and greenmarket at Lorimer St & Bayard St (0.7 miles)
Leonard Library
Brooklyn Public Library branch at 81 Devoe Street with teen spaces, computers, and free programs (0.4 miles)
94th Precinct
NYPD community policing at 100 Meserole Avenue with youth programs and safety initiatives (0.5 miles)
FDNY Engine 212
Fire station at 136 Wythe Avenue providing emergency services (0.4 miles)
- C-Town Supermarket - 699 Manhattan Avenue (0.5 miles)
- Trade Fair Supermarket - 100 Maujer Street (0.5 miles)
- Key Food - Multiple Williamsburg locations
- La Casa de Los Tamales Market - 166 Graham Avenue (0.1 miles) - Latin groceries
- Met Food Supermarket - 229 Manhattan Avenue (0.6 miles)
- McCarren Park Greenmarket - Saturdays, seasonal (0.7 miles)
Lyons Community School is a vibrant middle school serving the diverse Williamsburg/East Williamsburg community. The neighborhood has undergone significant change in recent decades, and the school serves students from various cultural and economic backgrounds, including:
- Longtime Latino families (primarily Puerto Rican and Dominican)
- Hasidic Jewish community
- Polish and Eastern European families
- Newer residents attracted by arts and culture scene
- Working-class families in NYCHA housing and rent-stabilized apartments
The partnership with Grand Street Settlement ensures students have access to enriching opportunities beyond the school day, helping bridge opportunity gaps and providing safe, productive spaces during critical after-school hours.
Middle School Years Matter: The middle school years (ages 11-14) are crucial for development. Research shows that quality afterschool programs during this period:
- Reduce risky behaviors and improve safety
- Improve academic performance and school engagement
- Build social-emotional skills and healthy relationships
- Provide positive adult mentors and role models
- Offer exploration of interests and career pathways
- Support identity development during adolescence
The SONYC program at Lyons addresses all these developmental needs through intentional, research-based programming.
Last Updated: November 24, 2025