Enrollment is a straightforward and supportive process that begins with submitting an initial inquiry form through our website or contacting us directly at info@chya.site to schedule an informational visit and tour of our facilities at 12501 N MURPHY RD, MARICOPA, AZ 85138. We strongly encourage this visit so that you and your child can meet our team, see the academy in action, and ensure it is the right fit for your family’s needs and goals. Following the tour, we conduct a brief, confidential intake interview with the parent and student to discuss specific academic needs, review current school progress, and determine the most appropriate program track—Elementary, Middle, or High School—to ensure a seamless and effective start to your child’s journey with us, making the process personal and focused on individual success.

The safety and security of our students are our non-negotiable top priority, and we have implemented rigorous, multi-layered measures to ensure a safe environment for every child entrusted to our care. Our facility has controlled access points, and all students must be signed in upon arrival and signed out by a pre-authorized parent or guardian at dismissal time, with photo ID verification enforced for anyone unfamiliar to our staff. All Cheerful Hearts staff members, including paid employees and volunteers, undergo thorough state and federal background checks, fingerprinting, and rigorous training in emergency protocols, first aid, and child protection policies. We maintain a strict student-to-mentor ratio that ensures adequate supervision across all activities, and all common areas are monitored to foster a consistently secure and nurturing environment for all participants.

Our curriculum is specifically designed to be supplementary and complementary to the core academic instruction your child receives during the school day, not a replacement for it, ensuring maximum reinforcement and cohesion across their learning environments. During our dedicated homework hour, our certified mentors prioritize assisting students with their current school assignments, test preparation, and long-term projects, ensuring they are meeting the exact standards and expectations of their local school curriculum. Additionally, our enrichment workshops, particularly those focused on building foundational skills in literacy, math, and executive functioning, utilize strategies that are proven to improve classroom performance, and we actively coordinate with local teachers and the school district to stay current on educational standards and curriculum calendars, ensuring our support is always targeted and relevant to the student’s needs.

Yes, we understand that students are often hungry after a full school day and require proper nutrition to maintain focus and energy for their after-school studies and activities, which is why we provide a healthy, pre-packaged snack upon arrival. This snack, which typically includes fresh fruit, whole grains, and a protein source, is offered immediately after school dismissal and before the dedicated academic block begins, providing a necessary energy boost for sustained concentration during homework hour and subsequent enrichment activities. We meticulously plan our snack offerings to be nutritious and compliant with all relevant health and allergy guidelines, and while we are unable to provide full hot meals, we are fully accommodating of students who bring their own meals or specialized snacks due to dietary restrictions or preferences, and we maintain a peanut-free environment to ensure the safety of all our young participants.

The Cheerful Hearts Youth Academy operates during the critical after-school hours, typically opening immediately upon the dismissal of local schools and remaining open until 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a detailed and published daily schedule available for all enrolled families. While we structure our program to ensure students get the most benefit from the dedicated academic and enrichment blocks, we understand the logistical demands of working families and aim for reasonable flexibility in scheduling. We require students to be picked up no later than the 6:00 PM closing time, and we communicate clearly with parents regarding this policy, as consistent lateness impacts our staff schedule and our ability to maintain a high-quality program environment. We encourage any families anticipating difficulty with timely pick-up to discuss their scheduling needs with the Program Director upon enrollment so we can collaborate on finding a sustainable arrangement that works for everyone involved.