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After School

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—end dates may vary based on the school calendar. 

The following Fall 2023 After-School Programs will begin the week of September 11; register via the button below. Please note the deadline to withdraw from classes without penalty is August 28; no refunds will be processed after that time.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Ramzi Sifri at rsifri@mcdonogh.org. 

FALL 2023 Programs

Argumentation and Advocacy (7th and 8th Grade)

Grades: Seventh and Eighth
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $180

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.

Chess (K to 6th Grade)

Grades: Kindergarten to Sixth 
Teacher: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 25
Class Cost: $180

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 are provided.

Public Speaking (5th and 6th Grade)

Grades: Fifth and Sixth
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $180

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.

My First Lemonade Stand (K to 2nd Grade)

Grades: Kindergarten to Second 
Teacher: SPARK, Inc.
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 16
Class Cost: $180

Students will learn how to make sweet and tangy lemonade and make money by selling it! They will experiment with recipes; design flyers; and learn how to count money, make change, and tally their profits. In a showcase finale event, students will launch their lemonade stand and sell, sell, sell—raising funds for a charity of their choice!

Lego Mania Engineering (K to 7th Grade)

Grades: Kindergarten to Seventh
Teacher: Gregg Kleiman
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 7
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Cost: $180; Supply cost: $30

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.

Mad Scientist's Laboratory (K to 7th Grade)

Grades: Kindergarten to Seventh
Teacher: Gregg Kleiman
Day: Tuesday
Minimum Class Size: 7
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Cost: $180; Supply cost: $30

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!

Rock Climbing and Ropes Course Exploration (K to 7th Grade)

Grades: Kindergarten to Seventh
Teacher: Gregg Kleiman
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 7
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Cost: $180

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 participants are brand new to rock climbing and the ropes course, have some experience, or are veterans looking to continue their progression, our rock wall and ropes courses are a great co-curricular activity! We will cover climbing and ropes course safety, technique, and critical thinking skills to increase success on the wall. This experience will foster self-confidence and love for a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime!

Innovation Lab (K to 7th Grade)

Grades: Kindergarten to Seventh
Teacher: Gregg Kleiman
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 7
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Cost: $180; Supply cost: $30

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. Students will take home their creations each week!