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After-School Programs

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 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. once a week for eight weeks.

Fall Registration

Registration for Fall 2024 will go live on Monday, July 15 and will feature classic favorites and exciting new programs. Group sessions start the week of September 16. 

Be sure to check back and register before classes fill up! In the meantime, questions about After-School Programs can be directed to Ramzi Sifri at rsifri@mcdonogh.org.

SPRING 2025 After-school PROGRAMS

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 is now open. 

Enrichment

Argumentation and Advocacy (7th and 8th Grade)

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.

REGISTER HERE

 

 

 

Public Speaking (5th and 6th Grade)

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.

REGISTER HERE

Junior Bakers (K-2nd Grade)

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!

REGISTER HERE

Pokémon: Build and Battle (3rd-5th Grade)

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!

REGISTER HERE

Saucy Adventures (3rd-7th Grade)

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.

REGISTER HERE

 

 

Chess (Kindergarten-6th Grade)

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.

REGISTER HERE