After School

Grades: Seventh and Eighth
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160

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: Kindergarten to sixth
Teacher: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 25
Class Cost: $140
The Chess Program will only meet seven times. Class will start Monday, March 27 and run through May 22. There will be no classes on March 20 (no school); April 3 (director out); and April 10 (no school).

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 to second
Teacher: Jonna Wahle
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 6
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Cost: $160

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!

Grades: Kindergarten to second
Teacher: SPARK, Inc.
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 6
Maximum Class Size: 16
Class Cost: $170

Earn, save, spend, donate! Let's learn about money! This innovative program provides a solid foundation of financial literacy for kids in a fun setting. Games and hands-on activities help students internalize key concepts (like money, budgeting, and saving) in an engaging and supportive environment fostering teamwork. This unique experience empowers students with the mindset to start making sound financial decisions and develop into responsible global citizens.

Grades: Fifth and sixth
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $160

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.

Grades: Third to Fifth
Teacher: SPARK, Inc.
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 16
Class Cost: $170

For the sports lover, future team General Manager, sports team owner, or ESPN analyst, this unique program helps students view the world of sports from a business perspective. Students participate in fun mock drafts for various sports and analyze different sports topics, including the value of sports teams, player compensation, college sports, endorsements, the Nike vs Under Armour competition, sports agents, the Super Bowl, e-sports, and more!