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Our mission is to serve working families who fall below the eighty fifth percentile of low income and to provide a safe, loving and fun environment where children can socialize and learn through play.
STARS West Aftercare
is open Monday - Friday
from 2:20-5:30pm during the school year
We serve children
5 - 12 years old at
Hancock West Elementary
23350 MS-43
Picayune, MS 39466
228-216-5764
The purpose of our program is to provide learning experiences within a safe, stimulating environment and to encourage and support the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and cultural growth and development of the child as a whole. The core components of this program are education and career development, character and leadership, sports, fitness and recreation, the arts, and health and life skills. Our youth development program includes snack and/or meal time, a scheduled time for students to voluntarily do their homework, outdoor play and indoor activities.
Contact our Director of Programs
Sallie West * 228.342.5189
Contact our Grants Manager
Angie Key * 228.270.1986
Tuition & Fees
Private Pay Tuition: $165 bi-monthly or $330 per month
Registration Fee: $100, due upon initial enrollment
Late Pick Up Fee: $25 starting at 5:31pm, with an additional $1 per minute for every minute after 5:45pm
Late Payment Fee: $20
2026-2027 Holiday Schedule
Thursday, July 30, 2026 Aftercare Opens
Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 CLOSED Labor Day
M-F October 5-9, 2026 CLOSED-Fall Break
Friday, October 30, 2026 CLOSED-Teacher Workday
M-F November 23-27, 2026 CLOSED-Thanksgiving Break
Dec 18, 2026 - Jan 4, 2027 CLOSED-Christmas/New Year's Break
Monday January 18, 2027 CLOSED-MLK Day
M-F February 8-12, 2027 CLOSED-Mardi Gras Break
Friday, March 26 - April 2, 2027 CLOSED-GoodFriday/Spring Break
Thursday, May 27, 2027 CLOSED-Teacher Workday
Friday, May 28, 2027 Last Day of Aftercare
*****There is a Summer Camp at STARS East (located at Hancock East Elementary). The cost for Summer 26-27 is proposed to be $530 each month for June and July. Child Care Payment Program participants can transfer their certificates two weeks in advance to attend the East Summer Camp. WSS Awardees can also transfer to East for the summer*****
HCHRA will give ample notice if any additional closing days are necessary.
In the event of severe weather STARS programs and Camp CARE will follow Hancock County School District Closings
Check out our STARS West Parent Handbook to learn more!
The STARS Program is licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health and complies with all standards put forth by the department. We are also an Excel by 5 Partner. Children are admitted regardless of race, creed, color, gender, national origin or religion.
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