About Center for Family Life

QR Code for 2022 Fall Afterschool Schedule

Center for Family Life at Sunset Park High School includes school day, after school, and summer services for young people in 9th - 12th grade.  There are many components, as follows:

During the school day, a unique Advisory Partnership pairs Center for Family Life’s youth development staff with SPHS teachers to integrate interpersonal, academic, and college preparation support directly into the learning environment.  All 9th – 11th grade students attend advisory classes, twice a week throughout the school year. Advisory groups enable SPHS and CFL partners to assess and respond to the needs of students and ensure that all members of the school community have a role in creating a positive school culture that fosters high achievement and healthy relationships. Advisory groups provide college and career exploration and social and emotional learning. Through Advisory, students explore a range of unit topics including race, gender, and equity while also developing enhanced interpersonal skills in communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Each advisory class takes a college field trip and conducts a service learning project in the community as part of a wider exploration of civic engagement. 
Rooted in values that foster inclusiveness and active participation in the school and community, the advisory program contributes to Sunset Park’s culture of connectedness.

The 12th Grade Internship Program:

CFL staff coordinates this program for high school seniors in partnership with SPHS teachers. The 12th Grade Internship Program is an opportunity for high school seniors to gain professional work experience, while also earning required credits for high school graduation. The Internship Program engages worksite partners, including community organizations, hospitals, government offices and food, technology and design firms to host students for four hours a week of hands-on experience.
 Students gain work readiness skills in stimulating and challenging internship environments while also attending weekly professional development seminars at SPHS to complement these experiences.

Afterschool programming at SPHS

Takes place Monday - Friday from 3 - 6pm. Free hot supper is provided daily from 3:15 – 3:45pm followed by more than 30 afterschool activities that are implemented in collaboration with SPHS teachers and reinforce the advisory curriculum. A detailed seasonal schedule (fall, winter, spring) is provided to students during advisory.

Academic Enrichment:

SPHS teachers provide SAT Prep, tutoring, and academic enrichment, College Now and credit-bearing classes in all subject areas, along with daily homework assistance.

Clubs and Sports:

Yearbook, Debate, Photography, Maker’s Club, Chess, Cheerleading, Green Team, Immigration Justice Now, Black Student Union. Gay Straight Alliance, PSAL Sports Teams, and many more.

“Life Lines” Community Arts Project at SPHS:

Arts and leadership development activities with advanced instruction and performance opportunities through Theater, Dance, Vocal, Music Production, Fashion, and Visual Arts Troupes, plus a Repertory Company that creates an original improvisational performance every spring.

Leadership Programs:

These grade-specific after school groups provide leadership development and academic mentoring, along with college and career preparation.

• Sunset Leaders Program (all grades)  engages high school students in leadership experiences that open up meaningful roles for youth, enabling them to grow, develop their skills and experience themselves as capable and valued members of their school and community. Participants in the program will select from three leadership pathways, based on their interests: designing and implementing Service Learning Projects, collaborating with peers to create performances in Arts Leadership Troupes, or facilitating special events in the SPHS after school program.
• LINK & Step-Up Programs (11th & 12th grade) helps high school juniors and seniors transition to college with individualized supports around the application process and workshops designed to prepare students for life after high school. Participants in this program are also guaranteed a summer job.

TGIF Community-Building and Options

Friday program which provides a cross-program and cross grade opportunity for high school students to select from a menu of activities all designed and led by SPHS students with the support of CFL staff. Past options have included Cooking, Karaoke, Video Games, DIY Crafts, Anime and more.

Family Engagement Events:

Each year, we partner with SPHS to host families at a number of events, including a Welcome Back to School community barbecue, college and financial aid workshops, and “Meet Your Advisor” nights. Childcare, dinner, and translation services are provided, in partnership with Sunset Park High School.

Center for Family Life's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

is also based at SPHS, offering summer jobs for youth ages 14-24 with employers throughout Brooklyn. Worksites include local government agencies, libraries, hospitals and clinics, child-care centers, summer day camps, senior centers and nursing homes, community organizations and retail locations.  Younger Youth, ages 14-15, also attend weekly educational workshops, designed to help participants build their interpersonal skills, conduct college and career exploration, and develop healthy habits.

Center for Family Life at Sunset Park High School,

153 35th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232, Offices B03 & B07 (718) 840-1600

www.cflsp.org