Bright Minds
Bright Minds offers art, theatre, homework help, snacks, and dinner after school for children ages 5-12 during the 2026-2027 school year to keep kids creative and connected!
We believe in the importance of art in a child’s life. With arts programs being slashed across the country, Bright Minds supports children’s creative learning through daily theatre and art classes. We believe in the importance of play and social emotional learning, and encourage our students to develop friendships and relationships for a nurturing, expressive childhood experience. We balance structured classes and supervised free time so the children can both achieve academic success and also preserve their childlike wonder!
THEATRE CLASS
All student receive 30 minutes of theatre class each day at Bright Minds.
Theatre classes are aligned with OH Content Standards for Drama/Theatre, according to grade level, and cover:
-acting
-improvisation
-technical theatre and design
-collaboration
-playmaking
Students will present a small sharing of their learnings to their families in December 2026 and May 2027!
ART CLASS
All student receive 30 minutes of art class each day at Bright Minds.
Theatre classes are aligned with OH Content Standards for Fine Arts: Visual Arts, according to grade level, and cover:
-2D art
-3D art
-connecting arts to their world
-exploring art and history
Students will present a small exhibit of their work to their families in December 2026 and May 2027!
HOMEWORK HELP
Students have 30 minutes each day dedicated to homework, where they can receive assistance from the staff, work solo, or (if they have no homework for the day) engage in reading time.
SNACKS AND MEALS
Students will receive an afterschool snack each day, as well as dinner at the end of the day. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided in partnership with Connecting Kids To Meals.
FREE PLAY
Perhaps the most important part of the day! Students will have 30 minutes of free play each day, with NO SCREENS permitted. Games, books, and craft supplies will be provided, and the children will be encouraged to socialize or spend time quietly enjoying their afternoon with no devices.
Sample Schedule at Bright Minds
3:00-3:30 pm Drop off and afterschool snack
3:30-4:00 pm Theatre Class
4:00-4:30 pm Homework
4:30-5:00 pm Free Time
5:00-5:30 pm Art Class
5:30-6:00 pm Dinner and pick up
IMPORTANT DATES FOR BRIGHT MINDS 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
August 25, 2026
Bright Minds open house 6:00-7:00 pm
August 31, 2026
First day of Bright Minds
September 7, 2026
Labor Day, Bright Minds closed
November 23-27, 2026
Thanksgiving Week, Bright Minds closed
December 17, 2026
December performance for families
December 18, 2026-January 4, 2027
Bright Minds closed–check out Children’s Theatre Workshop’s winter break workshops!
January 18, 2027
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day, Bright Minds closed
February 12-15, 2027
Presidents Day Break, Bright Minds closed
March 26-April 2, 2027
Spring Break, Bright Minds closed–check out Children’s Theatre Workshop’s Spring Break camp!
May 26, 2027
May performance for families
May 28, 2027
Last day of Bright Minds for the 26-27 school year! Check out Children’s Theatre Workshop’s Summer 2027 programs!
June 25, 2027
Registration for returning families opens for 2027-2028
July 16, 2027
Registration for new families opens for 2027-2028
Tuition for Bright Minds is on a sliding scale based on annual household income and household size. All families will be asked to provide proof of income.
There are four levels of tuition based on a household’s size and income level.
Level 1: Households making 250% of the federal poverty level or lower ($90/week)
Level 2: Households making 251-300% of the feveral poverty level ($135/week)
Level 3: Households making 301-350% of the federal poverty level ($180/week)
Level 4: Households making 351% or more of the federal poverty level ($225/week)
Please refer to the federal poverty guidelines to determine which level applies to your household.
Tuition will be finalized as part of the enrollment contract, families will choose to be billed biweekly or monthly.
Meet Pippin Green! Pippin Green has been teaching performing arts for 13 years, but it’s been a part of their life for much longer. A homeschooled kid from Barberton, OH, after school theatre programs were their lifeline to the arts. Those experiences as a child helped shape them into the expressive go-getter they are today, and left them wanting to give back.. Over the past decade they’ve worked as an educator with Horizon Youth Theatre, CLIMB Theatre, and the Minnesota Children’s Museum, but Children’s Theatre Workshop is what has always felt like home. As someone who loves helping kids connect and create, they could not be more excited to be a part of Bright Minds.
Bright Minds is located at:
Children’s Theatre Workshop
3106 Lagrange Street
Toledo, OH 43608
Phone number:
419-244-5061
Email Address:
brightminds @ ctwtoledo.org
Hours of Operation:
September-May
Mondays-Fridays
Drop off: 2:45-3:15 pm
Pick up: 5:45-6:15 pm
Please note: Bright Minds is closed during school holidays. Please check 2026-2027 Schedule and Calendar for details.
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- The 2022-23 season at CTW is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
