38 / matters magazine / school 2026
South Mountain 
YMCA
13 Jefferson Avenue
Maplewood 
Eric Stoddard
Associate Executive
973-762-4145
Estoddard@metroymcas.org
Infants-adults
The South Mountain YMCA is where kids, families and our community come 
to learn, play and thrive. From childcare, camps and after-school adventures 
to sports, performing arts and teen leadership, there’s something for 
every age. We believe in building friendships, confidence and a stronger 
community. Financial assistance is available and no one is turned away due 
to an inability to pay.
South Orange 
Performing Arts 
Center (SOPAC)
One SOPAC Way
South Orange
Tickets sold at the box office or 
sopacnow.org
Ages 1–11
SOPAC’s Kids + Family series brings six live shows to the stage this season, 
each one built for a different age and imagination. It opens with The Rock and 
Roll Playhouse’s high-energy take on David Bowie, then moves through PANTO’s 
Cinderella, the holiday favorite Frosty: A Musical Adventure, an imagination-
powered journey in The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, a puppet-
and-pantomime Peter Pan (with a sensory-friendly performance option) and 
Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Musical. Whether it's a toddler's first concert or a 
family night out at the theater, there's a show on the SOPAC stage for every kid 
in between.
Studio 509 Kids!
509 Valley Street 
Maplewood
Bethany Pettigrew and 
Guada Bas
Directors
973-275-0509
studio509kids@gmail.com
studio509fitness.com
Ages 4-18 
(Kids/teen 
classes)
Studio 509 Fitness and Studio 509 Kids! have something for everyone. 
In addition to our popular adult programming and personal training, we 
also offer kids/teen classes in dance, fitness, Pilates, hip-hop, boys dance 
and musical theater dance. No recitals or costumes to buy – just great 
classes with wonderful and supportive teachers. 10-week session starts 
September 14.
Zeman School 
of Oheb Shalom 
Congregation
170 Scotland Road
South Orange
Gavin Hirsch 
Director
zemanschool.org
gavinhirsch@ohebshalom.org
Grades K-7
The Rose and Isadore Zeman Religious School is offered tuition-free for 
synagogue members, thanks to a generous donation from the Arthur 
Schechner Charitable Foundation. Zeman is inspired by a desire to expand 
its community and remove barriers to help all engage in Jewish life and 
education. By the time they graduate, students have developed a strong 
love of Judaism and are inspired to remain engaged with Jewish community 
throughout their lifetime.
Seton Hall 
University
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange
973-761-9000
shu.edu
Undergraduate 
and graduate
One of the leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall’s main campus is 
located on 58 park-like acres in South Orange. The Hall is home to 10,000 
students, offering more than 90 undergraduate and over 110 graduate 
programs. It has been singled out for distinction by the Princeton Review, 
US News & World Report and Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
South Orange-
Maplewood Adult 
School
17 Parker Avenue 
Maplewood
Natalie Provenzano 
Director of Operations
973-378-7620
schoolinfo@somadultschool.org
somadultschool.org
Adults and teens 
14+ unless 
otherwise stated
The Adult School is dedicated to lifelong learning with a mission to inspire, 
engage, empower and connect to our community. Our Fall 2026 catalog has 
more than 120 classes, including many new offerings. Choose from creative 
arts, lectures & events, health & fitness, home & garden, technology, 
Broadway shows and more. Visit the website to sign up for the weekly 
newsletter and follow us on social media.
JESPY House
76 South Orange Avenue
Suite 205
South Orange
Aisha McNair
Pathways Coordinator
973-762-6909 Ext. 474
amcnair@jespy.org
Ages 18+
JESPY provides services for adults age 18 and older with Intellectual and 
Developmental Disabilities. The Pathways to Success Culinary Training 
Program includes hands-on culinary training, ServSafe certification and job 
development and placement. Send an email for program site location and 
start date.
Sarah Barlow 
Child Advocate
Child Advocate
sbarlow.childadvocate@gmail.
com
Sarahbarlowchildadvocate.com
Children entering 
kindergarten-
grade 5
Sarah Barlow empowers families to navigate special education with 
confidence. She provides parent coaching, IEP and evaluation reviews, 
advocacy support and sensory-friendly home and classroom consultations. 
Together, we'll help your child access the support they need to thrive.
SCHOOL/LOCATION
CONTACT
AGES
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
 →CONTINUING EDUCATION
 →RESOURCES
 →MUSIC, ART & ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (CONT'D)

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