All Star Kids Academy - Tempe's BEST After School and Summer Camp Program
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
All Star Kids Academy offers a family-run after-school and summer camp program that uniquely blends academic support (homework assistance) with active enrichment classes (martial arts, karate, dance). They provide convenient services like school pickup and prioritize child safety with strict pickup protocols, aiming to create a fun, friendly, and structured environment where children can make friends and stay active.
Key Highlights
- ✓School pickup service available for after-school program participants (e.g., 4th graders).
- ✓Integrated structured activities: martial arts, karate, and dance classes.
- ✓Homework completion assistance is provided.
- ✓Strict and proper child pickup protocols, especially for new individuals, ensuring child safety.
- ✓Strong emphasis on communication with parents (although one review notes a specific breakdown).
- ✓Children consistently report making friends, smiling, and having fun.
- ✓Operated by caring and compassionate owners (Masters Larson) and amazing coaches.
- ✓Programs are available during school holidays.
- ✓A free trial is offered for the after-school program.
Standout Features
- ⭐Convenient school pickup service for after-school attendees.
- ⭐Inclusion of martial arts/karate and dance classes as part of the program.
- ⭐Dedicated homework support for students.
- ⭐Secure and strict child pickup procedures for authorized individuals.
- ⭐Family-run business led by consistently praised owners (Masters Larson).
- ⭐Opportunity for children to make friends and experience a fun environment.
- ⭐Availability of a free trial for the after-school program.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Inquire about the free trial for the after-school program to assess suitability.
- →If your child has known behavioral challenges or needs extra support for adjustment, discuss the program's specific strategies, communication protocols, and support resources thoroughly before enrolling.
- →Clarify the communication process for any behavioral incidents, from minor to significant, to ensure alignment with parental expectations.
- →Take advantage of the school pickup service if daily transportation to the program is a concern.
- →Consider the program for school holidays if seeking structured activities for elementary-aged children.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Significant lack of collaborative communication with parents regarding a child's behavioral challenges, leading to abrupt removal from the program.
- ⚠Program's response to behavioral issues, particularly for younger children (e.g., 6-year-olds), may be to ask the child not to return rather than working with parents on support.
- ⚠One parent reported their child being hit/punched by other children, raising concerns about peer interaction management for younger kids.
- ⚠May not be suitable for children with known behavioral challenges or those who require extra, ongoing support for adjustment, especially if parents expect strong partnership in managing these issues.
Price & Value
No specific pricing is mentioned in the reviews. However, the value proposition includes comprehensive services such as school pickup, homework assistance, and specialized classes (martial arts/dance), which typically add significant value. A free trial for the after-school program enhances initial value.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations (e.g., wheelchair access, sensory-friendly hours) are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific food or drink policy (e.g., outside food allowed, snacks provided, nut-free facility) is mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details regarding parking availability or ease of access are mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific information about crowd levels or peak times is mentioned in the reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Strict protocols for child pickup, requiring proper steps for new individuals, enhance security.
- •General emphasis on child safety by the program is highlighted by parents.
- •A concern was raised regarding management of peer-to-peer hitting among young children, indicating a potential area for scrutiny regarding safety management and communication.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If your child has significant behavioral challenges or is new to group environments and you expect comprehensive, ongoing collaboration with staff for behavior management (as per Review 4).
- • If you require a program with explicit, detailed accommodations for children with diverse needs (as no such details were mentioned in reviews).
- • If you are concerned about potential peer-to-peer hitting among younger children and expect immediate, detailed communication and intervention strategies to be proactively shared.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Full-day Camp Options
When school is closed during the year
Provided upon contact
Available when school is closed to serve families throughout the entire year.
Summer Camp
Summer
Provided upon contact
An incredible summer camp program.
Daily Program Activities
Daily/Weekly
Included with After School Program membership
Interactive guest speakers, thrilling water slides, and bounce houses, in addition to daily sports and games, educational lessons, arts and crafts.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Safe and secure daily transportation is included.
- • Coaches have years of experience, are fully trusted, and have passed a comprehensive level-2 background check (same as required for school teachers in Tempe).
- • Dedicated team committed to providing the highest level of care and supervision.
- • Creates a positive and inclusive atmosphere where every child can thrive.
📅Booking Policy
- • Limited spots available for the 2025-2026 After School Program, filling up quickly.
- • Families are encouraged to save a spot before a waiting list begins.
- • Enrollment and availability information (tuition rates, weekly schedule, hours, and how to join) provided upon contacting the academy.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Linda Ryne
5 months agoAll Stars is amazing! Because of circumstances, I needed to find a place that could pick up my 4th grader from school as well as join the after school program. The day I inquired, she was signed up for her free trial and we haven’t looked back. Not only has my daughter made friends and have had a wonderful experience with the staff, but she also gets to do martial arts and dance! My 1st grader loves going on the school holidays. Stephanie is amazing!
Randy Hobbs
7 months agoThis is the best after school program in Arizona. They make sure homework is done. They make sure they're at the front desk soon after the door opens. If someone new is picking a child up, they go through the proper steps to make sure it's someone that's supposed to pick the child up. The communication is great. You won't have to worry about your child’s safety with All Star Kids Academy. They also keep them active with classes like karate and dance.
Efrain Valentin
10 months agoWhat an amazing Family Run Summer Camp & After school program. I’ve personally worked with both Masters Larson’s for years. I’ve watched them grow from teenagers to a married couple with amazing children. There are very few people I’d pay to watch and teach my kids but I can say they would definitely be one of them. PS I’ve been doing this for 47 years. They are one the most caring and compassionate folks I know.
Brianna Yates
10 months agoWasn't the best summer camp for our 6-year old who was new to this environment. Before signing up for the program, my husband and I communicated about behavior challenges and adjustment concerns. When these challenges came up, we were not surprised and were more than willing to come alongside the program to provide support. Saddened and taking aback that my child was asked not to come back the same day my husband and I requested a meeting and spoke about how we could support him in the program. We just wished there was better communication for the sake of our child's wellbeing. **updated** In child's short time there, they recorded a testimonial video of what he loved about the program. It seemed as my child was enjoying the program and I was hopeful this would be a good experience for him to prepare for school. Thus, the reported hitting or "punching", may have been due to many factors. My child also shared with me that other children had hit him. 5-6 years olds are typically still learning how to problem solve well. I've worked with various children in after-school programs since 2012. It takes coaching, redirecting, and working with parents because every child is an opportunity.
Zach Blum
10 months agoWe love this Camp and Afterschool program! The coaches are amazing, the owners are so nice and the kids are always smiling and having fun! So happy there is something like this in the area! Highly recommend! 🙂🙂