Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need tennis experience to apply to the program?

No! We love working with beginners of all ages.

What equipment does my child need?

We have racquets for student use, so having your own racquet is not necessary. Students should wear sneakers.

Do students in the elementary after-school program play tennis?

For the 2025-26 academic year, our elementary school program runs at a site with no tennis courts. To develop hand-eye coordination and rally skills, students are introduced to badminton. Families are invited to bring their students to Yale Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center on some Mondays to play tennis.

My child is in the 5th grade. Should they join the elementary or middle school program?

If your child is eager to play tennis more regularly and is comfortable being around older kids, we suggest they join the middle school program. Otherwise, the elementary school program might be a better fit until they are in 6th grade. If you’d like to enroll your 5th grader in both programs for the year, we can often accommodate them.

My child is on an IEP / has a 504 plan and could really use some extra support in reading/math. Can I sign them up for your program?

We have sometimes been able to work very successfully with students who have an IEP or 504 plan. However, sometimes the learning needs or the behavior of a student is not something that our volunteer tutors (many of whom are high school students) can manage. In your application, please provide information on your child’s learning and any accommodations, and the Director will set up a phone call with you to discuss whether or not your child would benefit from our program.

My child is already very involved in soccer/theatre but would benefit from tutoring. Can we sign up just for the math tutoring?

Currently our programming includes both tutoring and tennis and those activities are not offered separately.

What happens in the event of rain, snow, etc.?

Generally we follow the lead of the New Haven Public Schools. If school is cancelled for the day, or school is dismissed early for inclement weather, New HYTEs after-school programming is also cancelled that day. If New Haven Public Schools have a delayed start, New HYTEs after-school programming will happen as usual.