After-School Opportunities

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.

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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.

REGISTER HERE

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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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:

• 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

Age: Adults Only
Day: Tuesdays from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. or Thursdays from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Session: 12-weeks, beginning the week of September 16
Cost: $144 (12-week session) or $15 for drop-in class
Instructor: Nina Pongratz (Tuesdays), Laura King (Thursdays)
Location: McDonogh Dance Studio, Edward St. John Student Center

Join MCA Adult Yoga to enhance your focus, reduce stress, and begin or end your workday with renewed energy and balance. Whether your goals are to cultivate a clear mind, boost physical activity, or set a positive intention for the week ahead, yoga is the perfect way to find balance and wellness within our community. This is an adult-only class, no previous experience is necessary. Sign up now to experience the transformative benefits of yoga!

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Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Teacher: VAC Enrichment
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

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. Students will also learn essential baking skills and safety techniques along the way. Join us for a hands-on experience where the joy of baking intertwines with the excitement of learning!

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Grades: Kindergarten-Sixth Grade
Teacher: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

**This program will start the week of September 23

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 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 are provided.

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Grades: Seventh and Eighth Grade
Teacher: 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.

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Grades: Fifth and Sixth Grade
Teacher: 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.

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Grades: Kindergarten-Eighth Grade
Teacher: Greg Kleimann
Day: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $190

Students will climb the high ropes tower and participate in team-building activities. Some activities include the army wall, wobbly log, spider's web, and many more. Whether you are brand new to rock climbing and ropes courses, have had some experience, or are a veteran looking to continue your progression, our rock wall and ropes courses are great options for a co-curricular activity this year! We will go through climbing and rope course safety and technique and critical thinking skills to increase success on the wall. Your confidence will grow as you foster a love for a sport you can enjoy for a lifetime!

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Grades: Kindergarten-Seventh Grade
Teacher: Greg Kleimann
Day: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $220

Come join us to see that everything is awesome! Students will be engaged through playful, hands-on STEAM learning with fun and engaging builds. Kids will be challenged to complete exciting missions that will be the building blocks for their daily builds. There will also be time for choice builds, where their imagination can go wild! Each student will also receive a Lego kit to take home at the completion of the class.

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Grades: Kindergarten-Seventh Grade
Teacher: Greg Kleimann
Day: Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $220

Students will be immersed in the world of innovation. The class will ignite wonder, encourage confidence, and build essential STEM skills through collaborative and creative problem-solving. Each week we will be doing an exciting hands-on build. Some include the marshmallow launcher, catapults, kinetic rockets, marble maze, and many more. Everyone will be able to take home their creations each week.

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Grades: Kindergarten-Seventh Grade
Teacher: Greg Kleimann
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $220

Come explore the wild, weird, and wacky wonders of science. Create chemical chaos with slime and colored geysers, and explore how stuff works. It's a bit of magic and a bit of science. Students will be engaged in fun and new experiments each week!

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Grades: Kindergarten-Second Grade
Teacher: RhoboThink
Day: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $240

Get ready to rumble, RoboThink-style! join us for an electrifying program where students will unleash their inner engineers by building and customizing an incredible variety of battle robots. Once the construction is complete, it's time to enter the arena and compete in thrilling activities that will put your robot to the ultimate test. With gears, motors, axles, and our special hardware, your child will experience the battle of a lifetime! Sign Up now, no experience necessary-just come ready to battle and have a blast!

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Grades: PK to First Grade
Teacher: Soccer Shots
Days: Monday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. or Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Tuesday session is full)
Class Cost: $210

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.

REGISTER HERE

Grades: Second to Fifth Grade
Teacher: Soccer Shots
Day: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Class Cost: $210

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.

REGISTER HERE

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