After-School Opportunities

Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Maya Richard
Cost: $175

Step into the magical world of dance with our Intro 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 will 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!

Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Beth Pacione (Common Tone)
Cost: $180

Story Makers brings early elementary students together to experience a story through movement, song, and crafts. Each week, students explore a different children's book through the lens of fine arts. They will sing, play music, dance, and create a craft or prop that pairs with the weekly tale. By the end of the session, children will have learned different ways to tell a story, how to create a narrative through music, and how to express their imagination in different ways with the help of their Story Maker community. Come and help breathe life and creativity into beloved children's literature and let your imagination run wild!

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Kit Benz (Common Tone)
Cost: $180

Let your child shine like the rock star they've always dreamed of becoming! Tone Tours is a unique group lesson class for older Lower School students, providing them with an exciting opportunity to delve deeply into the captivating world of music through hands-on learning of one instrument. Students will embark on an inspiring musical adventure, where they will learn beginner techniques on the ukulele. This isn't just about individual practice; it's about embracing the joy of playing music together in an ensemble setting.

Tone Tours is more than just a music class—it's a nurturing environment where collaboration is key. Children are encouraged to inspire one another, work through challenges collectively, and provide mutual support as they navigate their musical journey. Children will build strong foundational musical skills, and also friendships and teamwork abilities. Watch as your child grows in confidence and creativity, all while having fun and making memories that will inspire creativity!

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Dan Wagner
Cost: $175

Students will participate in fun theater activities and games that teach skills for the stage that include improvisation, character development, script reading, scene work, and unarmed stage combat. Students will gain confidence and self-esteem as they learn and improve their skills in a supportive, ensemble-building, and teamwork-focused environment.

Ages: 5+
Day: Varies
Session: 6-, or 12-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of 9/15/25
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. 

REGISTER HERE

Ages: 5+
Day: Varies
Session: 6-, or 12-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of 9/15/25
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. 

REGISTER HERE

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 15
Instructor: MCA Music Faculty
Cost: $63/lesson for 6- and 12-week sessions ($378 total) and $61/lesson for 30-week session ($1830 total)

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:

• Drums and Percussion: Ages 5 and up
• Brass (trumpet, trombone, and tuba): Ages 8 and up
• Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, saxophone, and oboe): Ages 8 and up
• Guitar: Ages 6 and up
• Piano: Ages 5 and up
• Strings (violin, viola, and cello): Ages 5 and up
• Voice: Ages 10 and up
• Ukulele: Ages 6 and up

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.

REGISTER HERE

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Daryl Burch
Cost: $145

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 McDonogh's curriculum. Students will debate a current event and prepare for a mini tournament to which all parents are invited.

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Arkadiy Frenkel
Cost: $145

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 importantly, exercise impulse control. When players lose pieces and games because they moved their pieces impulsively, they learn to resist succumbing to the quick fix of instant gratification. In contrast, when they win pieces and games because they moved their pieces patiently, players learn to savor the enduring joy of delayed gratification.

Based on their skill level and age, players will be divided into two groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome! All chess supplies provided.

Arkadiy Frenkel is a U.S. Chess National Master and full-time chess coach. He has also directed McDonogh Summer Camps' Chess Camp for the last eight summers.

Day of the Week: Tuesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $155

Have you ever wanted to play the internationally known game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and stretch your imagination, tell stories with your friends, and build useful, creative skills? Want to see what the game they play in Stranger Things is all about? Well, this is your chance!

In this class, students will explore collaborative storytelling through D&D. Along the way, they will develop social and emotional skills that will serve them well outside of this beloved fantasy tabletop role-playing game.

Day of the Week: Monday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $170

Welcome to our energetic and imaginative KPop Demon Hunters Exploration class! In this dynamic program, young performers will step into the vibrant world of K-pop (Korean popular music) while exploring creativity, teamwork, and self-expression. With fun activities like vocal warm-ups, choreography, and character creation, students will form their own "idol groups," complete with team names, signature moves, and original lyrics.

This class combines music, movement, and storytelling to help kids build confidence, develop performance skills, and discover the power of working together. Whether they're shy or naturally outgoing, every student will shine on stage and leave with unforgettable memories of their K-pop journey!

Day of the Week: Tuesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $155

Step into the world of discipline and empowerment with VAC Enrichment's martial arts program, Little Kids Karate! If your child is eager to explore the art of self-defense and physical fitness, this after-school enrichment program is the perfect fit.

In this class, students will embark on a journey of self-discovery through the dynamic world of martial arts. Our curriculum encompasses a variety of disciplines, including basic techniques, forms, and principles of martial arts. Your child will have the opportunity to develop strength, agility, and coordination while learning valuable self-defense skills.

Whether it's mastering punches, kicks, or grappling techniques, our skilled instructors will provide guidance every step of the way. No prior martial arts experience is necessary—just bring your child's enthusiasm and dedication to learning!

Day of the Week: Tuesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: SPARK Business Academy
Cost: $145

Learn how to make yummy hot cocoa, and earn money selling it! A hot cocoa stand is a great way to introduce our youngest entrepreneurs to the world of business and is fun! From designing marketing flyers to estimating profits to experimenting with recipes, students have fun while developing business savvy.

Day of the Week: Monday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Scherz
Cost: $145

Explore what it takes to be a responsible pet owner. Each week, students will "meet" a new kind of pet—from dogs and cats to fish, birds, and reptiles—through creative projects, discussions, and games. Along the way, they'll learn about the costs, care routines, and responsibilities that come with each animal, while practicing empathy, problem-solving, and planning skills.

No real animals will be used in class.

Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Daryl Burch
Cost: $145

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 the delivery of the 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.

Day of the Week: Monday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: RoboThink Greater Baltimore
Cost: $180

Calling all future champions and robot enthusiasts! Brace yourself for an action-packed program where you'll embark on an epic journey of building and battling with a wide variety of awe-inspiring robots. Put on your engineer's hat and bring your robot to life using gears, motors, axles, and our state-of-the-art hardware. Then, step into the arena and engage in thrilling battles and challenges that will push your skills to the limit.

No experience necessary—just come ready to battle, have fun, and let your robot reign supreme!

Day of the Week: Tuesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: RoboThink Greater Baltimore
Cost: $180

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! RoboThink invites your student to an electrifying camp that combines the thrill of building with the exhilaration of racing. From crafting sleek race cars to burning rubber on the track, this camp offers an action-packed experience like no other. But wait, there's more! Your student will also get a crash course in the inner workings of cars, exploring the intricate world of transmissions, pistons, and differentials.

So, fasten your seat belts and get ready to unleash your inner race car engineer! No prior experience required–just a love for the fast lane!

Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gregg Kleiman
Cost: $175

Join us and see that everything is awesome! Playful, hands-on STEAM learning with fun and engaging builds will delight and challenge students, along with exciting missions that will be the building blocks for their daily builds. There will also be time for choice builds, where students' imaginations can go wild! Each student will also receive a LEGO® kit to take home at the completion of the class.

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gregg Kleiman
Cost: $175

Innovative Arts and Crafts is a super cool and fun after-school class where creativity comes to life! Students create amazing projects like colorful slime, sparkling sand art, sweet candy molds, and bright crayon shapes. We also design unique mosaic tiles and explore new, innovative crafts every week that inspire imagination and teamwork. This program is the perfect way for everyone to express themselves, learn new skills, and have an awesome time with friends!