{"id":"after-school-programs-montreal-2026","name":"Best After-School Programs in Montréal","category":"After-School Programs","location":{"city":"Montréal","province":"Quebec","country":"Canada"},"canonical_url":"https://bests.ca/best/after-school-programs/in/montreal","publication_type":"algorithmic","methodology_version":"after-school-programs-v4","evidence_cutoff_at":"2026-08-26T23:00:00.000Z","published_at":"2026-08-26T23:00:00.000Z","maximum_positions":3,"positions_published":3,"positions":[{"rank":1,"entity":"Toujours ensemble Parcours","entity_type":"Organization","descriptor":"Verdun charity offering a low-cost active and safe after-school environment within a broader ages 6–17 school-retention continuum, with tutoring, mentoring, family support and current registration contact","best_for":"Verdun families seeking sustained academic, social and practical support in one community organization","why_it_ranks":"Toujours ensemble Parcours stands out as a resolvable Montréal operator with current evidence for registered community and school-retention program, not a general city-wide child-care service. The Bests Algo privately evaluates the legal operator, exact site and school relationship; program authorization or licensing where applicable; accountable lead, staff qualifications, screening, training, ratio and substitutes; child age, schedule, development, interests, language, disability, behaviour and transport fit; attendance, handoff, pickup, missing-child, emergency, first-aid, medication, allergy, food, bullying, reporting and privacy controls; the balance of homework, play, physical activity, creativity, youth voice and social-emotional support; family communication, school-calendar and closure coverage; and every registration, monthly, daily, meal, transport, late-pickup, withdrawal and refund term. It does not treat awards, scale, longevity, reviews, social activity, polished facilities or selective stories as proof of safety or fit. Most importantly, licensed care, authorized recreation, registered clubs and youth drop-ins are not interchangeable. Confirm whether the exact site provides custodial care, who may arrive or leave independently, which schools and ages it serves, transportation and pickup rules, current space or waitlist, inclusion support and total cost before relying on it.","decision_notes":["Program format disclosed: registered community and school-retention program, not a general city-wide child-care service","Exact operator, site, school relationship, staff, attendance and pickup controls assessed","Child fit, safeguarding, program balance, access, complete cost and withdrawal terms required"],"profile_url":"https://bests.ca/best/after-school-programs/in/montreal/profile/toujours-ensemble-parcours","verification_url":"https://bests.ca/verify/after-school-programs-montreal-2026/toujours-ensemble-parcours","bests_score":null,"confidence":null,"proof_index":null,"consensus":null},{"rank":2,"entity":"Saint Columba House After School","entity_type":"Organization","descriptor":"Bilingual Point-Saint-Charles program for ages 5–12 combining homework and academic support with wellness, mental health, arts, music, drama and yoga under named program supervision","best_for":"Point-Saint-Charles elementary families seeking bilingual academic and social-emotional support","why_it_ranks":"Saint Columba House After School stands out as a resolvable Montréal operator with current evidence for registered neighbourhood after-school program; intake and space are community-specific. The Bests Algo privately evaluates the legal operator, exact site and school relationship; program authorization or licensing where applicable; accountable lead, staff qualifications, screening, training, ratio and substitutes; child age, schedule, development, interests, language, disability, behaviour and transport fit; attendance, handoff, pickup, missing-child, emergency, first-aid, medication, allergy, food, bullying, reporting and privacy controls; the balance of homework, play, physical activity, creativity, youth voice and social-emotional support; family communication, school-calendar and closure coverage; and every registration, monthly, daily, meal, transport, late-pickup, withdrawal and refund term. It does not treat awards, scale, longevity, reviews, social activity, polished facilities or selective stories as proof of safety or fit. Most importantly, licensed care, authorized recreation, registered clubs and youth drop-ins are not interchangeable. Confirm whether the exact site provides custodial care, who may arrive or leave independently, which schools and ages it serves, transportation and pickup rules, current space or waitlist, inclusion support and total cost before relying on it.","decision_notes":["Program format disclosed: registered neighbourhood after-school program; intake and space are community-specific","Exact operator, site, school relationship, staff, attendance and pickup controls assessed","Child fit, safeguarding, program balance, access, complete cost and withdrawal terms required"],"profile_url":"https://bests.ca/best/after-school-programs/in/montreal/profile/saint-columba-house-after-school","verification_url":"https://bests.ca/verify/after-school-programs-montreal-2026/saint-columba-house-after-school","bests_score":null,"confidence":null,"proof_index":null,"consensus":null},{"rank":3,"entity":"YMCA Québec Youth Zones","entity_type":"Organization","descriptor":"Free safe after-school spaces for ages 12–17 at exact Montréal YMCA and partner locations, with recreation, homework, workshops, leadership and newcomer-specific options at selected sites","best_for":"Teens wanting a free, flexible youth space rather than elementary-age custodial care","why_it_ranks":"YMCA Québec Youth Zones stands out as a resolvable Montréal operator with current evidence for supervised youth drop-in; teens may have independent-arrival and departure rules. The Bests Algo privately evaluates the legal operator, exact site and school relationship; program authorization or licensing where applicable; accountable lead, staff qualifications, screening, training, ratio and substitutes; child age, schedule, development, interests, language, disability, behaviour and transport fit; attendance, handoff, pickup, missing-child, emergency, first-aid, medication, allergy, food, bullying, reporting and privacy controls; the balance of homework, play, physical activity, creativity, youth voice and social-emotional support; family communication, school-calendar and closure coverage; and every registration, monthly, daily, meal, transport, late-pickup, withdrawal and refund term. It does not treat awards, scale, longevity, reviews, social activity, polished facilities or selective stories as proof of safety or fit. Most importantly, licensed care, authorized recreation, registered clubs and youth drop-ins are not interchangeable. Confirm whether the exact site provides custodial care, who may arrive or leave independently, which schools and ages it serves, transportation and pickup rules, current space or waitlist, inclusion support and total cost before relying on it.","decision_notes":["Program format disclosed: supervised youth drop-in; teens may have independent-arrival and departure rules","Exact operator, site, school relationship, staff, attendance and pickup controls assessed","Child fit, safeguarding, program balance, access, complete cost and withdrawal terms required"],"profile_url":"https://bests.ca/best/after-school-programs/in/montreal/profile/ymca-quebec-youth-zones-montreal","verification_url":"https://bests.ca/verify/after-school-programs-montreal-2026/ymca-quebec-youth-zones-montreal","bests_score":null,"confidence":null,"proof_index":null,"consensus":null}],"interpretation":"Null metrics have not been published. A Bests list may contain fewer than three positions when the evidence gate does not support another entry."}