VacationFun! serves students in grades K-8. SummerFun! serves students entering grades 1-12. Programs are open to students in Arlington and surrounding communities.

Classes include:

  • Creative, hands-on arts and crafts classes including drawing, painting, clay sculpture, collage, and glass art
  • STEM programs in programming, electronics, robotics, engineering, physics, Lego, Minecraft, and hands-on science
  • High-energy sports and games, such as parkour and ultimate frisbee
  • Strategy games, including Dungeons & Dragons, chess, and LARP

2026 Dates:

Program Information

Location

VacationFun! and SummerFun are held at Arlington High School, 869 Massachusetts Avenue.

Times

Full- and half-day classes are available from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. AM classes run 9:00 am–12:00 pm; PM classes run 12:30–3:30 pm. Children who are enrolled for the full day will have a supervised lunch break from 12:00-12:30, after which they will be escorted to their afternoon classes. AM and PM extended day are available during SummerFun.

Supervised Lunch Break

Children who are enrolled for the full day will have a supervised lunch break from 12:00-12:30, after which they will be escorted to their afternoon classes. All children must bring their own lunch and drink each day.

Extended Day AM/PM

The option to add on Extended Day is available for SummerFun. AM is available 8:00-9:00 am, Monday-Friday; PM is available from 3:30-5:30 pm, Monday-Thursday only. Both include supervised activities and free play. Full week only. Register under “Extended Day.” Sorry, there is no extended day program for VacationFun.

Registrations

VacationFun registration opens with the regular Winter and Spring terms. SummerFun registration opens in February. All registrations must be made online at arlington.arux.app. Pre-registration is required for all programs. No walk-in registrations allowed.

You are officially enrolled as soon as we receive your registration payment. If you do not receive an email with the subject “Registration Confirmation” (this is separate from the email receipt), please check your spam and promotions folder—your email server may be blocking our messages. Please add arlington@arux.app to your email contacts as this is how we communicate with you about registrations, confirmations, cancellations, as well as any class updates. For SummerFun, please also add SummerFun@arlington.k12.ma.us to your contacts.

Schedule Changes (Withdrawals & Transfers)

General Terms

  • ACE does not offer credits for future classes.
  • No refunds will be made for classes missed or dropped, including for illness or injury.
  • In the unlikely event that ACE cancels a class, every effort will be made to place your child in another class; otherwise, all tuition will be refunded.
  • ACE reserves the right to change instructors if necessary.

VacationFun

  • Withdrawals for classes must be made via email to CommunityEd@Arlington.k12.ma.us and received before February 1 for February VacationFun and April 1 for April VacationFun. You will receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee per child per class.
  • A $15 switch fee will be assessed for any change in registration.
  • No refunds will be granted for classes missed or dropped.
  • ACE reserves the right to cancel classes due to low enrollment or other considerations. If we cancel your class, we will make every effort to transfer your child into another class, otherwise you are eligible for a full refund.

SummerFun

All withdrawals and transfer requests must be made via email to SummerFun@arlington.k12.ma.us during our business hours (M-F, 9 am-4 pm). Requests that come outside of those hours will be considered the following day.

Withdrawals:
  • Before May 1, refunds will be issued for withdrawals minus a $25 fee per child, per class.
  • Beginning May 1, refunds will be issued for withdrawals minus a $50 fee per child, per class.
  • No refunds will be issued less than three weeks before a class begins.
Transfers:
  • There is a $25 fee for each class transfer up to three weeks before the start of class.
  • Less than three weeks, the fee is $75. Additional expenses may apply.
  • All transfers must be to another SummerFun! class.

Existing Credits

If you have an old ACE credit, please register and pay in full so you don’t lose your spot. Next, email Communityed@arlington.k12.ma for VacationFun or SummerFun@arlington.k12.ma.us for SummerFun with “ACE Credit” in the subject line. We will apply your credit and refund your original form of payment.

Snow Days

For February VacationFun!, weather cancellations will be posted to our website, and families will be emailed. There are no refunds or credits for weather-related cancellations.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance is available for qualifying Arlington families. Some exclusions apply; subject to change. Please visit www.ArlingtonCommunityEd.org/tuition-assistance to submit a tuition assistance application. We will contact you once we receive your application.

Media Release

Occasionally, ACE takes photos of classes for use in catalogs, advertising, and other promotional materials. If you do not wish to have photos of your child used by ACE, please email communityed@arlington.k12.ma.us for VacationFun or summerfun@arlington.k12.ma.us for SummerFun, before your child’s class begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do the grade levels work for SummerFun?

Grade levels should match the grade your child will be entering in the fall of 2025. Instructors work hard to design classes for a specific age group. Sorry, we do not offer programming for children entering kindergarten.

Do you provide lunch and snacks?

No. All lunches, snacks, and drinks must be provided by the family each day. Please remember to send a refillable water bottle!

Will my child get outdoors during the day?

Yes. Everyone will enjoy time outdoors each day.

We’re not sure about our vacation plans. Should I reserve my spot in a class just in case the timing works out?

Please don’t! We keep our classes very small so spots are limited. Sign up only when you’re sure of your schedule. Withdrawal/transfer fees apply.

I’m a working parent and need full-day care. How does that work?

We’ve got you covered. Sign up for both a morning and an afternoon class (or a full-day program)—the half-hour lunch/recess break is included at no extra charge. Staff will escort children between classes and lunch. You can also add AM/PM Extended Day for SummerFun.

My child really wants to take a class, but it’s full. What should I do?

Have a backup plan! Your best option is to select another class before it, too, fills. You can also add their name to the waitlist and we will be in touch via email if a spot becomes available. Please do not contact us or the teacher about waitlists.

How will I learn about the logistics for my child’s week at SummerFun?

We will email you the week before your child’s class begins with details about SummerFun! drop-off, pick-up, parking procedures, etc. All SummerFun! communications come from SummerFun@arlington.k12.ma.us.

My child has life threatening allergies and/or a health condition. What is the protocol?

There will be a nurse on duty during SummerFun. If your child requires epinephrine and/or an Individual Health Care Plan, please contact us after you register.

What is your behavior policy?

Children who attend SummerFun! are expected to participate in group activities with staff supervision and to interact with peers and staff in a safe and respectful manner. We understand that children may need reminders, support, and flexibility to be successful, and our staff will work with families to understand each child’s needs and any helpful strategies. 

If a child is having difficulty meeting these expectations, program staff will communicate with parents/guardians to discuss supports or reasonable accommodations that may promote safe and meaningful participation. Families are encouraged to share any helpful information or strategies in the Special Needs section in your child’s online profile during registration so that we can plan proactively. 

When safety concerns or repeated disruptions persist despite reasonable supports, the Director may review whether additional modifications are feasible or whether a different program or setting may better meet the child’s needs. 

My child has special needs. How do you handle that?

We want every child to have a positive and successful experience at SummerFun!, and we know families are the experts on their child. Because SummerFun! does not have access to school records such as IEPs or 504 Plans, we encourage parents/guardians to share relevant information about medical needs, disabilities, behavioral strategies, or supports that help your child thrive. This information can be entered in the  Special Needs section on your child’s online registration profile. 

SummerFun! is an equal access program and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Our programs are not school-sponsored special education services, so the specific accommodations or services a student receives during the school day may not be available in this setting. However, we will work collaboratively with families to identify reasonable modifications that allow for safe and meaningful participation, consistent with program structure, staff qualifications, and applicable laws. 

If your child may require a specific accommodation or support, please contact our office as early as possible, ideally at least three weeks before the start of the program, so we can learn about your child’s needs and discuss what supports may be appropriate.