Lower School Co-Curricular and After-School Programs
After-school is a vibrant time for Lower School students at Park. Led by our faculty and staff, our after-school programs are home-baked, providing a safe and inclusive environment for students to explore their interests, try new things, and — most importantly — have fun!
Park’s after-school offerings expand as students go through the Lower School. Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students can participate in the Extended Day program, and 1st-3rd Graders can participate in both Extended Day and a variety of enrichment opportunities that change seasonally. In addition to Extended Day and enrichment programs, 4th and 5th Graders can also join Park Athletics teams and music ensembles.
When registering for after-school programs, families should consider their child’s age, temperament, interests, and stamina. We encourage families to review the choices with their kids so that they can make decisions that balance a desire for enrichment activities with the need for down time.
Each afternoon, Park faculty and staff help students transition from school-day activities to after-school programs. At the end of after-school programs (4:15-4:30 p.m.), students can either get picked up outside the school’s main entrance or join the Extended Day program. Students who are not picked up by 4:45 p.m. will join the Extended Day program (fees apply).
Registration for after-school programs opens on August 12 at 9 a.m.
Registration for all after-school programs takes place in CampBrain. Extended Day begins on Thursday, August 29, and all other after-school programs begin the week of September 9. Winter and spring schedules will be shared with families before registration opens for each season. Year-long programs will continue on the same days of the week in the winter and spring.
An Overview of After-School Offerings
| Offering | Grades | Full-Year or Seasonal | Days per week | Cost | Size Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extended Day | Pre-K–Grade 5 | Full-Year | Every school day (3:15-6 p.m.) | See site for cost | None |
| Park Athletics Teams | Grades 4–5 | Seasonal (fall and spring) | Mondays and Wednesdays (3:15–4:30 p.m.) | None | None |
| Off-Season Sport Introduction and Skill Development | Grades 4-5 | Seasonal (fall) | Tuesdays (3:15–4:30 p.m.) | None | None |
| Soundwaves | Grades 4–5 | Full-Year | Thursdays (3:15–4:15 p.m.) | None | None |
| Jazz Band | Grade 5 | Full-Year | Mondays (3:15–4:15 p.m.) | None | None |
| Concert Band Sectional Classes | Grade 5 | Winter (Nov–Feb) | One day per week (varied) | None | None |
| Enrichment Classes | Grades 1–5 | Seasonal (fall, winter, spring) | One day per week (varied) | See site for cost | Varies based on class |
| Individual Music Lessons | Grades 1–5 | Full-Year | One day per week (varied) | See site for cost | None |
Fall Weekly Calendar
| MONDAYS | TUESDAYS | WEDNESDAYS | THURSDAYS | FRIDAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extended Day Pre-K–Grade 5 3:15–6 p.m. | Extended Day Pre-K–Grade 5 3:15–6 p.m. | Extended Day Pre-K–Grade 5 3:15–6 p.m. | Extended Day Pre-K–Grade 5 3:15–6 p.m. | Extended Day Pre-K–Grade 5 3:15–6 p.m. |
| Soccer Team Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Soccer Clinic Level 5 Athletics Grades 2–3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Soccer Team Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Soundwaves Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Basketball Clinic Level 5 Athletics Grades 2–3 3:15–4:30 p.m. |
| Field Hockey Team Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Common Tone Music Try-Tones Grades 1–2 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Field Hockey Team Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Lacrosse Clinic Level 5 Athletics Grades 2–3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Common Tone Music Try-Tones Grades 1–2 3:15–4:30 p.m. |
| Jazz Band Grade 5 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Common Tone Music Try-Outs Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Peabody Dance Grades 1–3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Zen of Watercolors Grades 1–2 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Common Tone Music Try-Outs Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. |
| Robotics Grades 3 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Yoga Grades 1–2 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Outdoor Exploration Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Amigurumi: The Art of Making Your Own Crochet Stuffies Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | |
| Peabody Dance Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Destination Imagination Grades 4–5 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Yoga Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | ||
| Amigurumi: The Art of Making Your Own Crochet Stuffies Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | ||||
| Garden Club Grades 1–5 3:15-4:30 p.m. |
Activity Information
Extended Day
Our Extended Day program offers care for Lower School children who require supervision beyond the end of the school day. Our warm and nurturing staff organizes a wide array of activities each afternoon, including crafts, board and card games, and outdoor play, as well as quiet space to tackle homework in the upper grades. Extended Day fosters a safe sense of community while reinforcing Park School’s ideals of fair play and respectful discourse with peers and adults. Annual and seasonal contracts are available, along with drop-in service. Click here to learn more about the Extended Day program.
Athletics
Park demonstrates passion and dedication for what it means to be a student-athlete and the truly unique commitment to being a student-athlete at a rigorous academic institution. Coaches and players approach games with foresight, solid preparation, and a vision for the outcome. Our coaches, as teachers, build personal relationships with their student-athletes that mirror the values, habits of mind, and character nurtured in the classroom. At Park, we balance fundamental skills, fitness, game strategy, and the lifelong skills of perseverance, commitment to a common goal, overcoming adversity, and winning with humility and integrity. This journey begins in the Lower School.
We provide three types of athletic opportunities for Lower School students:
- Second and third graders can participate in seasonal clinics (one day a week) with our new partner, Level 5 Athletics, which help students build foundational skills in a supportive and energetic environment. The specific clinics for each season are included in the enrichment class descriptions (below), and registration takes place in CampBrain.
- Fourth and fifth graders can join Park School Athletics Teams in the fall and spring (two days a week), which provide opportunities for all athletes to realize their potential and begin their athletic journey in an environment where their experiences are positive and rewarding.
- Fourth and fifth graders can join off-season training sessions (one day a week) to build skills, confidence, and experience in the sport.
The goal of our Lower School Athletics Program is to provide opportunities for students to develop teamwork and skill sets, to be introduced to the fundamental skills and strategies of their chosen sport, and basic introduction to gameplay when roster sizes allow. We are one of the very few local schools who offer a “team sport experience” at the Lower School level, and are fortunate to be able to introduce team sport and school spirit to our younger students. The fall sports are soccer and field hockey; the spring sport is lacrosse. Practices and games take place on Mondays and Wednesdays. Lower School Athletics comes at no additional cost to families; we do, however, ask for consistent attendance and participation in weekly practices and games. Click here to learn more about Park’s Lower School Athletics Program.
Arts
The Park Arts Department’s mission is to encourage authentic artistic development and support the rich inner lives of our students — beginning in Lower School. Our after-school co-curricular offerings complement our performing and visual arts programs. Our co-curricular opportunities (Soundwaves, 5th Grade Jazz, and Winter Concert Band Sectionals) come at no additional cost to families; we do, however, ask for consistent attendance and participation in weekly rehearsals. We look forward to continuing to support Lower School students’ artistic development in the studio, on stage, and in rehearsal!
SOUNDWAVES (Grades 4 and 5)
Rehearsals take place after school on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. in Room 424 (Bruce Bryant’s room). This co-curricular Lower School choral group, is composed of 4th and 5th Grade students who are interested in the opportunity to work on and perform advanced choral repertoire. Soundwaves performs at seasonal concerts, taking place on the evenings of December 17, 2024 and May 13, 2025 at 7 p.m.
JAZZ BAND (Grade 5)
Rehearsals take place on Mondays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. in Room 128, led by Chris Peterson. Students can play classroom instruments like xylophones and drums or their own personal instruments (guitar, bass, wind, and string instruments) if they are currently enrolled in private lessons or are playing those instruments in Concert Band or String Ensemble. The 5th Grade Jazz Band performs at the International Jazz Day evening concert on April 29, 2025 at 7 p.m.
CONCERT BAND WINTER SECTIONALS (Grade 5)
As a complement to Concert Band, all students in the class will be encouraged to participate in after-school sectional instrument classes in order to receive specific training on their chosen instrument. These free classes will start in November, and families will get information from Maeve Royce at the start of the school year about schedules and registration.
Individual and Group Music Lessons (Grades 1-5):
Individual lessons are available to help students build their skills and musical creativity. Lessons are tailored to the needs and goals of each student, and include technique, musical theory, and performance skills. Our experienced faculty of professional musicians provides instruction on many different instruments, including piano, guitar, and drums, as well as wind and string instruments. The Park School also partners with Common Tone to provide group music lessons to students in Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-5. Common Tone guides and inspires students to explore music with curiosity and confidence, and their classes are a great way for students to develop and expand their musical interests during the Lower School years. Click here to learn more about Park’s after-school music opportunities.
Enrichment Classes
Park offers seasonal enrichment classes to provide students with high-quality afternoon experiences in a variety of topics. Created by Park faculty members and guest teachers, these classes present opportunities to develop interests, cultivate talents, and strengthen social bonds. When registering for enrichment classes, families should consider their child’s age, temperament, and interests. We encourage families to review the choices with their kids so that they can make informed decisions about what will be the best fit for them in the after-school program.
Fall enrichment classes take place from 3:15-4:30 p.m. and meet once per week from September 9-November 1 (no classes on days when school is closed). Registration takes place in CampBrain and classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment is due upon registration in CampBrain.
Each class has a minimum number of students needed to run. Classes that do not meet the minimum will be canceled, and families will receive a full refund or can apply the credit to a different enrichment class. In the past, we have had the occasional instance when children have dropped out mid-session. If after the first week a family decides to withdraw, a refund for the remaining sessions minus a $50 administrative fee will be provided. However, there will be no refunds for an after-school enrichment class following the first week of the class.
At the end of the school day, Lower School faculty and staff help students transition from school-day activities into after-school classes. At the end of the enrichment class, students are either picked-up at the school’s main entrance from 4:30-4:45 p.m. or join the Extended Day program (applicable fees apply).
Enrichment Classes — Fall Offerings and Descriptions
Robotics • Grade 3
Cost: $175
Robotics Club allows students to explore the exciting world of robotics using the Lego Mindstorms system. Participants will learn about the basics of robot design, construction, and programming as they build and command their own robots. Using motors, sensors, and the programmable Mindstorms brick, students will create robots that can interact with the environment through inputs like touch sensors and outputs like motor movements. Over the course of the 6 weeks, students will work through increasingly complex challenges, honing their problem-solving, coding, and teamwork skills. By the end, they will have hands-on experience in bringing their robotic creations to life.
Peabody Preparatory’s Jazz Dance Workshop • Grades 4 & 5
Cost: $200
Curious about dance? Come join us for a fun and energetic introduction to the fundamentals of Jazz Dance! This workshop series is specifically designed for students ages 9-11 who are beginners to Jazz dance. It is taught in an encouraging and supportive environment. Students will learn foundational positions and steps along with simple combinations. Explore the use of expression and individual stylization of the body through movement. A variety of different Jazz styles will be incorporated including, but not limited to, Classic Jazz, Musical Theater, Street Jazz, and Latin Fusion.
Level 5 athletics Soccer Clinic • Grades 2 & 3
Cost: $175
Level 5 Athletics provides an energetic, affordable, and fun sports environment for players to enjoy age-appropriate instruction from outstanding coaches. The soccer clinic teaches the fundamentals of the sport in a low pressure and stress free environment. Weekly sessions will focus on dribbling, first touch, passing, movement off the ball, defending, and shooting.
Try-Tones • Grades 1 & 2
Cost: $200
Led by Common Tone’s founders Beth Rausch (a Park parent!) and Mike Feathers, Try-Tones is a community of students who celebrate confidence and build essential skills through singing, movement, and playing authentic musical instruments in an ensemble setting. Every student will have the opportunity to explore engaging musical concepts on the guitar, piano, and various percussion instruments. These concepts will be applied in class as students learn how to play a collection of captivating songs for a culminating performance at the end of the session.
Try-Outs • Grades 3-5
Cost: $200
Led by Common Tone’s founders Beth Rausch (a Park parent!) and Mike Feathers, Try-Out students will dive into group music-making using authentic instruments. Students will continue to refine music skills, techniques, and knowledge through the joy and excitement of group music-making. Together they will experience learning and playing music in an ensemble setting. Students will learn a collection of songs on different instrumental parts (guitar, piano, and percussion). At the end of the session students will play an assortment of songs together for an end-of-session performance. Join us and Try-Out for the band!
Destination Imagination • Grades 4 & 5
Cost: $600
Destination Imagination provides students with the chance to imagine, innovate, create, and collaborate. In teams of six students, Destination Imagination teams learn important problem-solving skills, tackling a long-term project that they present in regional and state competitions in the spring. Important note: Destination Imagination is a commitment for both the fall and winter seasons, as all team members must be able to participate in the team’s regional competition in February (specific date TBD) and (if the team advances) the state competition on March 15, 2025. Please note that the cost for Destination Imagination covers all sessions for both the fall and winter, along with the materials and event entry fees.
yoga • Grades 1 & 2
Cost: $175
Teaching mindfulness to youth can create calm, level-headed future leaders, but who says we can’t have fun while doing it? This supportive introduction to Yoga and Mindfulness is designed for first and second graders. Participants enjoy access to fun, engaging classes that teach the basics of good health habits, mindful awareness, and positive perceptions. Through this session, participants practice breathing exercises, yoga poses, visualizations, relaxation activities, and we couldn’t call it fun without games! Our educated instructor teaches resilience, empowering students through the toughest and most mundane experiences in life. Students must bring their own mats to class.
Amigurumi: The Art of Making Your Own Crochet Stuffies • Grades 4 & 5
Cost: $175
In this class, students will learn the basics of crochet, including how to read and understand simple patterns. Each week, students will build on their skills, starting with making a crochet ball and progressing to creating an adorable little stuffie turtle. Our hands-on approach ensures that every student can follow along at their own pace, with plenty of support and encouragement. By the end of the class, each student will have a newfound love for crochet and two handmade treasures to take home. Perfect for fourth and fifth graders who enjoy creative crafts and want to learn a new skill!
GARDEN CLUB • grades 1-3
Cost: $175
Do you enjoy being active and using your hands? Are you a lover of nature, being outdoors, and watching things grow? Join the Lower School Garden Club! Autumn in the garden means harvesting (and tasting!) fruits and vegetables, observing plant and animal activity, learning how to care for and maintain the garden in fall, and then putting the garden to bed for the winter. Come spend time with the insects, worms, birds, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and even weeds of the garden. Let’s dig in together!
Peabody Preparatory’s Intro to Dance • grades 1-3
Cost: $200
Join us for a fun-filled exploration of dance fundamentals! Our Introduction to Dance sessions will explore codified dance techniques and self-expressive movement for children in Grades 1-3. Students will be able to engage in strengthening and stretching exercises to learn the importance of taking care of their bodies through movement. We will learn and practice dance styles (ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz) that excite and inspire young dancers to move their bodies in new ways, broadening our knowledge of dance icons and history. This class will integrate elements of SEL through mindful breathing techniques and meditative movement exercises to help us regulate and connect through social awareness. Join us for a fun-filled, creative, and expressive dance class dedicated to exploration and expanding our movement vocabulary.
Level 5 athletics Lacrosse Clinic • Grades 2 & 3
Cost: $175
Level 5 Athletics provides an energetic, affordable, and fun sports environment for players to enjoy age-appropriate instruction from outstanding coaches. The lacrosse clinic teaches the fundamentals of the sport in a low pressure and stress free environment. Weekly sessions focus on cradling, scooping, shooting, and passing.
Zen of Watercolors • grades 1-2
Cost: $175
Enter a realm adorned with the hues of watercolors and peace! Your child will embark with us on a harmonious fusion of meditative serenity and artistic expression. We will explore the zen of watercolors in a different way all while paying attention to our breath and listening to peaceful music.
Outdoor Exploration • grades 3-5
Cost: $175
Students will learn a variety of skills to use in the outdoors. We will work on knot tying, shelter building, orienteering, and fire making. All the while, students will be focused on their impact on the outdoors, and enjoying the woods around them.
Level 5 athletics Basketball Clinic • Grades 2 & 3
Cost: $175
Level 5 Athletics provides an energetic, affordable, and fun sports environment for players to enjoy age-appropriate instruction from outstanding coaches. The basketball clinic teaches the fundamentals of the sport in a low pressure and stress free environment. Weekly sessions will focus on dribbling, ball handling, passing, shooting, and defensive technique.
Try-Tones • Grades 1 & 2
Cost: $200
Led by Common Tone’s founders Beth Rausch (a Park Parent!) and Mike Feathers, Try-Tones is a community of students who celebrate confidence and build essential skills through singing, movement, and playing authentic musical instruments in an ensemble setting. Every student will have the opportunity to explore engaging musical concepts on the guitar, piano, and various percussion instruments. These concepts will be applied in class as students learn how to play a collection of captivating songs for a culminating performance at the end of the session.
Try-Outs • Grades 3-5
Cost: $200
Led by Common Tone’s founders Beth Rausch (a Park parent!) and Mike Feathers, Try-Out students will dive into group music-making using authentic instruments. Students will continue to refine music skills, techniques, and knowledge through the joy and excitement of group music-making. Together they will experience learning and playing music in an ensemble setting. Students will learn a collection of songs on different instrumental parts (guitar, piano, and percussion). At the end of the session students will play an assortment of songs together for an end-of-session performance. Join us and Try-Out for the band!
yoga • Grades 3-5
Cost: $175
Teaching mindfulness to youth can create calm, level-headed future leaders, but who says we can’t have fun while doing it? This supportive introduction to Yoga and Mindfulness is designed for upper elementary school students. Participants enjoy access to fun, engaging classes that teach the basics of good health habits, mindful awareness, and positive perceptions. Through this session, participants practice breathing exercises, yoga poses, visualizations, relaxation activities, and we couldn’t call it fun without games! Our educated instructor teaches resilience, empowering students through the toughest and most mundane experiences in life. Students must bring their own mats to class.
Amigurumi: The Art of Making Your Own Crochet Stuffies • Grades 4 & 5
Cost: $175
In this class, students will learn the basics of crochet, including how to read and understand simple patterns. Each week, students will build on their skills, starting with making a crochet ball and progressing to creating an adorable little stuffie turtle. Our hands-on approach ensures that every student can follow along at their own pace, with plenty of support and encouragement. By the end of the class, each student will have a newfound love for crochet and two handmade treasures to take home. Perfect for fourth and fifth graders who enjoy creative crafts and want to learn a new skill!
Questions?
Please contact afterschoolprograms@parkschool.net. We look forward to hearing from you!
