Not sure what you’re looking for? Type keywords into the search bar:

High school Afterschool Programs
Sign-uP Today!
Group of nine people standing behind a table displaying hand-made items for sale.
A young person working with a small electronic project at a cluttered table, surrounded by tools, electronic components, a laptop, and a green box.
Two women sitting at a wooden table with snacks, a laptop, and a smartphone, working together in a room with decorative plates on the wall.

The Foundry offers innovative, hands-on, active learning opportunities for high school-aged youth. Students develop new skills in our shops and labs. Young people collaborate on interactive projects, master new technologies, deepen important areas of interest, and explore new career possibilities.

  • Our High School After School Programs run Monday - Thursday starting in September and ending in June. Students enrolled in our program can choose between tracks each semester. In addition, they receive tutoring/homework support, and engage with peers in workshops throughout each semester. We want to support our youth, and recognize that schedules ebb and flow. Based on the students’ schedule - they can opt for what works for them. Please note - once committed to a certain schedule/program, we expect students to come on those days!

    Mondays: Maker Hours  Work in the tech and/or textile lab on guided projects. Students who've built up skills, or returning students, can also work on independent projects. Lab equipment includes a 3D printer, laser engraver, Cricut vinyl cutter, sewing machines, and more.

    Tuesdays & Thursdays – Choose Your Track Pick one of two options:

    • Entrepreneurship in the Print Lab (screenprinting and selling t-shirts)

    • Design + Build Community Projects (decide as a group, make community projects that have impact)

    We'll do our best to place you in your first choice. If a track fills up, we'll reach out and offer you a spot in the other option.

    Wednesdays – Meet, Greet and Make The Foundry is connected to so many other talented makers and entrepreneurs in our community! Wednesdays will be filled with activities designed to expand students’ skills and opportunities.

  • Attendance

    Schedules can vary, but once students are enrolled, we expect consistent attendance on scheduled days.

    End-of-Semester Celebration

    We wrap up each semester with a celebration event! In Winter it’s our Annual Winter Market, and in Spring it’s Juneteenth. Some students sell items they've made; others will present the community projects they've completed. Families and community members are all invited. This is considered a mandatory part of the program, but it's also the most fun days where we celebrate youth!

    Who Can Enroll

    • High school students (entering grades 9–12, or recently graduated seniors)

    • Must attend a Buffalo public/charter school OR live in one of these zip codes: 14201, 14202, 14203, 14204, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14209, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, 14215, 14216, 14218, 14220

    Good to Know

    • Food: Snacks provided daily (fresh fruit, pizza, noodles, etc.) — no full meals.

    • Monthly Birthdays: We partner with the Birthday Squad and For Goodness Cakes to host a monthly birthday party for participants, complete with presents and delicious treats!

    • Stipend: Students earn a daily stipend based on participation and engagement.

    • Location: 298 Northampton St, Buffalo, NY 14208

    • Transportation: Students are responsible for getting to and from the program. Metro cards are available as needed, and we can work with schools to extend bus passes for the length of your enrollment.

Click Here: Sign-uP Today!

If you want to partner with us to offer programming, please begin the process by contacting us through email. 

email us