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McDonogh offers a variety of fun and enriching after-school opportunities for McDonogh families and the greater Baltimore community. We also offer an AfterCare Program for McDonogh students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Registration for spring programs will open on Friday, January 24. Scroll down to view the offerings!
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See class descriptions below for registration links.
MCA is a unique program providing McDonogh families and the greater Baltimore community with high-quality extracurricular visual and performing arts classes right here on our campus! MCA includes classes for children and adults, and each offering is designed to spark creativity, self-expression, and artistic abilities. Sessions feature classes taught by McDonogh faculty as well as teachers from the Johns Hopkins Peabody Preparatory Institute.
Questions? Email communityarts@mcdonogh.org.
Spring sessions begin the week of March 24 and run for eight weeks, except Monday classes which will run for seven weeks due to holidays. Registration opens on Friday, January 24. Programs with rolling admission can be found at the bottom of this page.
Grades: 2nd-4th Grade
Time: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Amy Stanziale and Patty Welch
Cost: $225
You know that Eagles can fly, but did you also know they can dance? Come join the Lower School Dance Troupe on Wednesdays after school with Ms. Stanziale and Ms. Welch! We will learn different dance routines together to popular songs. Let’s get our Eagle wings flapping and toes tapping!
Grades: Prekindergarten-1st Grade
Time: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Maya Richard
Cost: $225
Step into the magical world of dance with our Introduction to Dance class designed specifically for energetic and creative minds! In this engaging program, students will embark on a journey of self-expression and movement exploration and be led through the basics of dance, fostering coordination, rhythm, and a love for creative expression. Through imaginative play and age-appropriate choreography, your child will develop confidence and grace in a supportive and fun-filled environment. Join us as we twirl, leap, and dance our way into a world of creativity and joy!
Grades: 2nd-5th Grade
Time: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Maya Richard
Cost: $195
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
Get ready to move and groove with our exciting Jazz & Hip-Hop Dance class! Designed for kids in 2nd to 5th grade, this class blends the energetic and rhythmic styles of Jazz and Hip-Hop dance. Our friendly and experienced instructors will guide students through fun and easy-to-follow routines, encouraging creativity and self-expression. Students will learn basic dance techniques, explore new moves, develop coordination and balance, and work toward a fun end-of-session presentation to showcase their new skills. Whether your child is a beginner or has some dance experience, our Jazz & Hip-Hop class provides a positive and supportive environment for all levels. Join us for an unforgettable dance adventure filled with music, movement, and lots of fun!
Age: Kindergarten-4th Grade
Time: Tuesday, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Instructor: Holly Thompson
Cost: $275
Dive into the colorful world of painting! In this fun and engaging class, students will explore different painting techniques, tools, and styles to create their own masterpieces. From vibrant watercolors to bold acrylics, young artists will experiment with color mixing, brushwork, and texture to bring their imaginations to life. Projects will include nature-inspired artwork, whimsical abstracts, and even storytelling through painting. This class encourages creativity and self-expression while building foundational art skills. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is needed. Sign-up and let your artistic journey begin!
Age: Prekindergarten-4th Grade
Time: Wedensday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Shanita Scott and Tracey Hill
Cost: $250
It’s time to become a sewing master! This class is designed to introduce our young learners to the fascinating world of sewing, aiming to enhance their creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork.
Grades: 4-8
Time: Thursday, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Instructor: Holly Thompson
Cost: $275
Are you ready to design, build, and create in a whole new way? In this exciting Digital Art & Makerspace class, students will explore the intersection of art and technology to bring their creative ideas to life! Using tools such as digital drawing tablets, 3D printing, laser cutting, and other digital fabrication technologies, students will work on projects that combine innovation with artistic expression. Whether designing custom keychains, creating digital illustrations, or prototyping imaginative inventions, this class is perfect for aspiring artists, designers, and engineers. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and creativity! All materials are included.
Grades: Second-Seventh Grade
Time: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Scherz
Cost: $225
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
This program combines storytelling, mythology, and creative puppet-making to immerse students in the enchanting world of myths and legends. Students will explore stories from different cultures, design their own puppets, and perform their own myth-inspired skits.
Ages: 2nd-4th Grade
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Common Tone
Cost: $240
Dive into group music-making using authentic instruments! Students will continue to refine music skills, techniques, and knowledge through the joy and excitement of group music-making. Together they will experience learning and playing music in an ensemble setting. Students will learn a collection of songs on different instrumental parts (guitar, piano, and percussion). At the end of the session, students will play an assortment of songs together for an end-of-session performance. Join us and Try-Out for the band!
Ages: Prekindergarten-1st Grade
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Common Tone
Cost: $240
Try-Tones is a community of students who celebrate confidence and build essential skills through singing, movement, and playing authentic musical instruments in an ensemble setting. Every student will have the opportunity to explore engaging musical concepts on the guitar, piano, and various percussion instruments. These concepts will be applied in class as students learn how to play a collection of captivating songs for a culminating performance at the end of the session.
Age: 5-6
Time: Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Instructor: Peabody Preparatory
Cost: $968 (yearlong)
Our 5-6-year-old students are introduced to performing the fundamentals of beginner ballet training (placement, port de bras, footwork, and simple vocabulary) in an integrative and creative learning environment — practicing body alignment, non-verbal storytelling, studio etiquette, and team-building skills.; memorizing choreographed combinations through ensemble work; and utilizing ballet technique and training as a vehicle of imagination, creativity, and mindfulness.
Age: 6
Time: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Peabody Preparatory
Cost: $968 (yearlong)
Our 5-6-year-old students are introduced to performing the fundamentals of beginner ballet training (placement, port de bras, footwork, and simple vocabulary) in an integrative and creative learning environment — practicing body alignment, non-verbal storytelling, studio etiquette, and team-building skills.; memorizing choreographed combinations through ensemble work; and utilizing ballet technique and training as a vehicle of imagination, creativity, and mindfulness.
Ages: 7-12
Day: Thursday, 5:00-6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 12;00-1:00 p.m.
Instructor: Peabody Preparatory
Cost: $968 (yearlong)
Level 1 is the introductory level to the Primary Ballet Program and provides an important foundation for students who wish to progress to higher levels. All students are required to take two 60-minute Level 1 ballet classes per week for at least one year before moving forward in the program, even those with previous training as a young child. To maintain classroom consistency and build a cohort of students who are working on the same concepts, the student must attend both of their classes at the same campus. Students work on fundamental vocabulary at the barre and begin to concentrate on body alignment, rotation from the hip sockets, traveling across the floor with coordination, and expressive port de bras with the arms. They continue to build on exercises and activities designed to increase flexibility, develop core strength, and improve rhythmic awareness.
Ages: 5+
Day: Varies
Session: 6-, or 12-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of 9/16/24
Instructor: MCA Dance Faculty
Cost: $732 (12 weeks, $61/lesson), $366 (6 weeks, $61/lesson)
McDonogh proudly offers individual dance lessons for students of all ages, experience levels, and dance interests. MCA Dance Lessons emphasize the development of skills in creating and performing dance in various genres. The lessons are 30 minutes. If lessons are missed due to sickness or other school-imposed conflicts, efforts will be made to make up the lesson at a separate time; one make-up lesson is built into the fall session to accommodate these conflicts. Please note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons, and no credits are given due to unexcused student absences. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons.
Ages: 5+
Day: Varies
Session: 6-, or 12-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of 9/16/24
Instructor: MCA Visual Art Faculty
Cost: $732 (12 weeks, $61/lesson), $366 (6 weeks, $61/lesson)
McDonogh proudly offers individual art lessons for students of all ages, experience levels, and art interests. MCA Art Lessons emphasize developing skills in creating visual art in various mediums. The lessons are 30 minutes. If lessons are missed due to sickness or other school-imposed conflicts, efforts will be made to make up the lesson at a separate time; one make-up lesson is built into the fall session to accommodate for these conflicts. Please note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons and no credits are given due to unexcused student absence. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons.
Ages: Five and up
Day/Time: Lesson times to be determined by teacher and student availability
Session: 6-, 12-, or 30-week sessions offered, lessons begin the week of September 16
Instructor: MCA Music Faculty
Cost: $1770 (30 weeks, $59/lesson); $732 (12 weeks, $61/lesson); $366 (6 weeks, $61/lesson)
McDonogh proudly offers individual music lessons for students of all ages, experience levels, and musical interests. MCA Music Lessons emphasize the development of skills in creating and performing music on a specific instrument. Middle and Upper School lessons are 30 minutes and Lower School lessons are 25 minutes. Lessons are offered after school and in the evening. Lessons are also offered to McDonogh students during the school day; lessons scheduled during the day do not interfere with academic programs.
This year, lessons will be offered in 30-, 12-, or 6-week blocks of time. Students who sign up for the full 30-week block will receive a discounted lesson rate and will be given priority for daytime lessons. Daytime lessons cannot be guaranteed for those students who sign up for 12 or 6 weeks of lessons.
Music instruction is offered on the following instruments:
If lessons are missed due to sickness or other school-mandated conflicts, efforts will be made to make up the lesson at a separate time; three make-up lessons are built into the 30-week session to accommodate for these conflicts. One make-up lesson is built into the 6- and 12-week lessons for this same reason.
Please note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons and no credits are given due to unexcused student absence. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons.
McDonogh After-School Programs provide high-quality, extracurricular opportunities throughout the school year for McDonogh students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Our programs feature a wide variety of activities and subject matter and take place once a week and begin at 4:00 p.m. Questions? Email afterschool@mcdonogh.org.
Spring sessions begin the week of March 24 and run for eight weeks, except Monday classes which will run for seven weeks due to holidays. Registration opens on Friday, January 24.
Grades: Seventh and Eighth Grade
Instructor: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190
Award-winning debate coach Daryl Burch, along with members of McDonogh's Upper School varsity debate team, will train and coach Middle School students in the skills of competitive debate. Participation in the program teaches public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills that are highly valuable in every facet of the school curriculum. Students will debate a current event controversy and prepare for a mini tournament to which all parents are invited.
Grades: Fifth and Sixth Grade
Instructor: Daryl Burch
Day: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190
The number one fear most people have is speaking in public. This class will motivate and encourage students to speak in public. Students will work on understanding speech, invoking emotion and pathos in delivering a speech, conveying appropriate tone and sentiment in the speech content, and enunciating the speech. The goals are to help students become better orators and to create interest among Middle School students for the Upper School debate program.
Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $220
Discover the world of baking in our beginner's baking class designed for children! Led by our experienced instructors, young bakers will explore the art of baking while fostering creativity and teamwork. Through a carefully crafted series of beginner-friendly activities, children will master the fundamentals of baking. They will enhance their skills throughout the course by participating in exciting projects like Cookie Decorating, Fudge Making, crafting Caramel Popcorn, and creating mouthwatering Caramel Apples. Along the way, students will also learn essential baking skills and safety techniques. Join us for a hands-on experience where the joy of baking intertwines with the excitement of learning!
Grades: Third-Fifth Grade
Time: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $210
Pokémon meets math, literacy, and strategic thinking! This program invites young trainers to explore the art of building powerful Pokémon trading card decks while developing essential skills in problem-solving, mathematics, literacy, and strategic decision-making. Students will have the chance to battle each other within a fun, competitive, and supportive learning environment. Each week will focus on building different aspects of the game—deck construction, understanding card abilities, math for calculating damage, reading comprehension for card details, and strategy for winning battles. By the end of the program, students will participate in a culminating tournament where they can showcase their skills!
Grades: Third-Seventh Grade
Time: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Scherz
Cost: $220
Channel your inner chef! Students will explore sauces from around the world, focusing on hands-on preparation, cultural learning, and versatility in meals.
Grades: Kindergarten-Sixth Grade
Time: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Arkadiy Frenkel
Cost: $165
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
Chess is a fun game that helps kids learn life skills: how to concentrate, recognize patterns, solve problems, think creatively, cultivate teamwork (among their pieces), execute short-term tactics, develop long-term strategies, manage time, and (most important!) exercise impulse control. When kids lose pieces and games because they moved their pieces impulsively, they learn to resist succumbing to the quick fix of instant gratification. When kids win pieces and games because they moved their pieces patiently, they learn to savor the enduring joy of delayed gratification. Based on their skill level and age, players are divided into two groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome!
Arkadiy Frenkel is a U.S. Chess National Master and full-time chess coach. He also has directed the Chess Camp for McDonogh Summer Camps for the last eight summers. All chess supplies provided.
Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Instructor: SPARK
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $165
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
Learn how to make sweet and tangy lemonade, and make money by selling it! Experiment with recipes, design flyers, learn how to count money and make change, and tally your profits. Then, in a showcase finale event, launch your lemonade stand and sell, sell, sell, and raise funds for a charity students select!
Grades: Third-Fifth Grade
Instructor: SPARK
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190
How would you like to be the boss of Apple or Amazon for a day? In this leadership program, you can! Students act as CEOs for leading companies and work in groups to make strategic recommendations to address real business issues. Case studies include popular companies such as Coke, McDonald’s, Under Armor, Nike, Tesla, Uber, and more! Students enhance their problem-solving skills, develop business savvy, and cultivate a strategic mindset as future leaders.
Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Teacher: Robothink
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $210
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
We're back for round two of our battle-themed camp, and this time, we're rolling out the tanks! Join us as students venture into the realm of tank engineering, building a range of formidable armored vehicles. Throughout the camp, they'll face thrilling challenges, engage in epic battles, and push their problem-solving abilities to the limit. This program is perfect for seasoned RoboThinkers looking for the next level of excitement, but newbies are also welcome — so buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable tank-building experience!
Grades: Third-Fifth Grade
Teacher: Robothink
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $210
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
Let's learn about Rube Goldberg machines! In this hands-on program, students build a variety of complex contraptions to complete a simple task — such as ringing a bell — while learning the basic physics concepts of work, gravity, force, and momentum. Using simple machines like levers, wedges, wheels, axles, pulleys, and inclined planes, students learn to understand mechanical concepts in a fun way while using their imagination!
Grades: PK to First Grade
Instructor: Soccer Shots
Time: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. or Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $230
Soccer Shots focuses on individual skill, fitness, and sportsmanship, providing an opportunity for children to be challenged through soccer skills, fun games, and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Grades: Second to Fifth Grade
Teacher: Soccer Shots
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. or Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $230
Soccer Shots focuses on individual skill, fitness, and sportsmanship, providing an opportunity for children to be challenged through soccer skills, fun games, and team interaction. Children will also be introduced to competition in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Grades: Second-Fifth Grade
Time: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Dynasty Sports Academy
Cost: $200
*Due to holidays that fall on Mondays (March 31 and April 21), this is a 7-week class.
Get ready for some football! Through this program, students will learn the fundamentals of football such as running, throwing, and catching. They will also go through agility drills that will help increase overall speed and quickness. Students will learn football terminology as well as how to understand the game and be able to identify key positions on the field (Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, etc.). Defensive drills will be incorporated into the program. Classes will be structured around flag football skills, drills, and other football activities. The goal of this class is to work up to the playing an actual flag football game through fun drills and exercises over the course of the season. Gameplay will be a part of the class!
Grades: First-Fourth Grade
Time: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Jonna Wahle
Cost: $190
Is your field hockey player looking for an opportunity to refine their skills? This after-school program is intended for players with prior field hockey experience to practice and polish their skills...indoors! Using indoor sticks, players will work on ball control, accuracy, and speed through drills, games, and team-building with Coach Wahle. Players must have their own indoor stick, shin guards, and mouthguard, and be ready to have fun!
AfterCare provides McDonogh lower schoolers with friendship and fun in a nurturing, well-supervised atmosphere. Each day, there is be a variety of age-appropriate activities from which to choose, and a small snack will be provided. Using our indoor and outdoor spaces, children have the opportunity to run, play, climb, build, read, and so much more. Students who have homework are provided with a quiet, monitored space to work.
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