After School

Grades: 7 and 8
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150

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 in which all parents are invited to watch.

Grades: K to 6
Teachers: Arkadiy Frenkel 
Day: Monday
Dates: September 17 to December 10
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 40
Class Cost: $150

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 2 groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome! All players train to compete at optional local tournaments held every other Saturday from September - June.

Arkadiy Frenkel is a US-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.

Please note: This club meets whenever McDonogh is in session.

Grades: 3 and 4
Teacher: Candace Moore
Day: Tuesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150

The Dance Program encourages physical expression through movement-based dance techniques. We will brighten our awareness on using our bodies to express our emotions, and to evolve our understanding of storytelling. Improvisation and freedom movement will be the base of our study, while also incorporating a diverse variety of dance styles.

Grades: 3 and 4
Teacher: Eno Umoh
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 20
Class Cost: $250
Supply Cost: $50

Explore new heights with drones! Through hands-on learning, students will use math, science, and engineering skills to research, model, build and fly a quadcopter drone. Each child will be able to take home their drone to practice and showcase their skills. Young students are engaged through existing and new programs which incorporate UAS-related hardware, software, applications and related technologies. Students will also get the unique opportunity to learn programming and coding through an interactive app. For more information, please click here.

Grades: K to 6
Teacher: Jennifer Richter
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150
Supply Cost: $20

Welcome to the wonderful world of CRAFTING! Kids love to create and decorate…and I will show them exactly how to do it! With an exciting selection of activities to enjoy, your child will love exploring something new! Embrace your child’s creativity with us…you’ll be amazed by our crafty masterpieces!

Your child will be introduced to a variety of tools and techniques. We will craft eight exciting pieces during our sessions together. Explorations, creativity, and joy will be fostered as the children are encouraged to bring their own unique ‘selves’ to their crafty creations!

Grade:   3rd -5th
Teacher: Rebecca Nickolaus
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 8
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost:  $150
Food Cost:  $20

McDonogh School Top Chef will introduce students to the foundational skills required for cooking.  During each class, students will be taught about a specific cooking skill and "secret ingredient" that they must incorporate into their edible design.  The goal of this class will be to allow students to increase their culinary knowledge and skill, but to also use their imagination and work as a team to design edible masterpieces.

Grades: 5 and 6
Teacher: Daryl Burch
Day: Wednesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $150

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: 1 to 4
Teacher: Idea Lab Kids
Day: Tuesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $200

In this eight-week course, students will build and compete with other robots to finish challenges.

Grades: 1 to 4
Teacher: Idea Lab Kids
Day: Thursday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 15
Class Cost: $200

Programming robots with EV3 Mindstorm Educational Software! Students will learn to make their robot move, chase, dance, and perform daily tasks. 

Grade:  1 to 6
Teacher: Gregg Kleiman
Day: Monday
Minimum Class Size: 6
Maximum Class Size: 14
Class Cost: $150

Rock climbing is the perfect sport for kids. It increases self-confidence, teaches trust, and builds stronger and healthy bodies. Come out and enjoy the eight different walls of increasing difficulty from beginner to advanced.  All walls are equipped with automatic belay units for maximum safety.

Grades: 2 to 6
Teacher: Margaret Garland
Day: Tuesday
Minimum Class Size: 5
Maximum Class Size: 10
Class Cost: $160
Supply Cost: $20

Sew Fabulous Sewing Club teaches children the craft of sewing. They will learn how to use a sewing machine while making one of the following fun crafts: a quilted pillow, tote, stuffed animal or a backpack. They also learn how to read and understand a pattern, sewing techniques, and hand-stitching. Each child will work at their own pace, so they are comfortable working on the machine. When they complete their project, they will move on to creating pajama pants. All supplies and machines will be provided. Students are welcome to bring their own sewing machine. Learning the art of sewing helps students express their creativity and imagination.