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, along with music and dance lessons through our partnership with Peabody Prep. First through third 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 annual and fall extended day contracts and fall enrichment classes opens on august 11 at 9 a.m.
Registration takes place in CampBrain. The fall Extended Day season runs from August 28-October 31. The fall enrichment class runs from September 8-October 31 with specific dates provided in individual class descriptions. Year-long co-curricular and enrichment offerings will begin the week of September 8.
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 through Peabody Prep | Pre-K–Grade 5 | Full-Year | One day per week (varied) | See site for cost | None |
Seasonal Calendars
Calendars are updated on a seasonal basis. The winter calendar includes all offerings for Winter 2025-26, and the spring calendar will be updated in February 2026.
| MONDAYS | TUESDAYS | WEDNESDAYS | THURSDAYS | FRIDAYS | SATURDAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Future Bruins Basketball Clinic Grades 3–5 9-10:15 a.m. |
| Jazz Band Grades 4-5 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Destination Imagination Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Peabody Dance Grades Pre-K-K 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Soundwaves Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | ||
| Robotics Grade 4 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Drama Games Grades: 4-5 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Drama Games Grades: 1-3 3:15-4:30 p.m. | |||
| Peabody Dance Grades 1–3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Bookmaking Grades 1-3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Winter Wildschool Grades: 3-4 3:15-4:30 p.m. | |||
| Bookmaking Grades 1-3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Winter Wildschool Grades: 1-2 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Calligraphy Grades: 4-5 3:15-4:30 p.m. |
| 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. |
| Jazz Band Grades 4-5 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Destination Imagination Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Peabody Dance Grades Pre-K-K 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Soundwaves Grades 4–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | |
| Peabody Dance Grades 1–3 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Rookly Chess League Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. |
| 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. | Destination Imagination Grades 4–5 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. | Soccer 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. | Wilderness Explorers Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | |
| Jazz Band Grade 5 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Garden Club Grades 1–5 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Peabody Dance Grades Pre-K–K 3:15–4:30 p.m. | ||
| Robotics Grade 3 3:15-4:30 p.m. | ||||
| Peabody Dance Grades 1–3 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 with our new, 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.
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 and 5th Grade Jazz Band) 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 that take place on January 28, 2026 and May 21, 2026.
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.
Individual and Group Music Lessons (Pre-K-Grade 5):
Peabody Preparatory offers a robust music lesson program that takes place in the music rooms at Park after school. Lessons are available to all skill levels. Peabody Prep oversees and manages all facets of the program, including registration, scheduling, and billing. Visit the Peabody @ Park website to learn more about programming, and and click here to go directly to the individual music program inquiry form. Park’s after-school program staff helps students that are in Extended Day transition to and from their lessons.
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.
Enrichment classes take place from 3:15-4:30 p.m. The fall enrichment class session runs from September 8-October 31. Registration takes place in CampBrain and classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment is due upon registration.
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).
| Season | Dates | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | September 8-October 31 | August 11 |
| Winter I | November 10-December 19 | Mid-October |
| Winter II | January 5-February 20 | Mid-October |
| Spring | March 2-May 22 | Mid-February |
Enrichment Classes — Current Offerings and Descriptions
ROBOTICS • Grade 4
Dates: Winter I and II (11 total classes; Each Monday school is in session from November 10-February 9)
COST: $300
Robotics 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 light and touch, sensors, and outputs like motor movements. During their time in the class, 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.
Dance Exploration: Ballet and Contemporary Dance (peabody prep) • Grades 1-3
Dates: Winter I and II (12 total classes; Each Monday school is in session from November 10-February 23)
COST: $325
Does your elementary schooler love to move? Come join us for a fun filled exploration of the fundamentals of dance! This creative and expressive dance exploration class is dedicated to the study of Ballet and Contemporary Dance styles. Dancers will learn basic techniques of each dance style by practicing exercises designed to build coordination in new movement patterns, challenge movement sequence retention, and develop musicality. Each session will help dancers engage their bodies and minds in new ways, emphasizing building confidence and developing self-expression in movement within the given style. By learning in a group environment, students will benefit from the social-emotional experience and joy of dancing with others in community. Fill your student’s afternoon with the gift of artistic movement! Students should wear close fitting athletic clothes with their hair secured off the face and neck. Note: This class will have its culminating performance on Monday, February 23 from 4-4:30 p.m.
bookmaking • Grades 1-3
Dates: Winter II (5 total classes; Each Monday school is in session from January 5-February 9)
COST: $140
Students will create a variety of books in different formats, exploring the idea of the book as an art form. We will introduce a different book format each week (pop-ups, enclosures, book-in-a-box, etc.); students will have time to create and illustrate the book in class, and they might choose to continue developing their stories when they bring their book home each week. Great for storytellers and artists at every reading/writing level! Note: There are two sections of Bookmaking — one takes place on Mondays and the other takes place on Tuesdays. Students should only register for one of the two sections.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION • GRADES 4 & 5
COST: $675
Destination Imagination provides students with the chance to imagine, innovate, create, and collaborate. In teams of seven 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 in March. 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.
DRAMA GAMES • GRADES 4-5
Dates: Winter II (7 total classes; Each Tuesday school is in session from January 6-February 17)
COST: $190
Boost confidence, creative thinking, and teamwork through the magic of drama! In this playful and collaborative class, students will engage in a variety of improv exercises, theater games, and movement activities that foster expression, concentration, and imagination. Performing arts educator (and Park parent) Jess Crain brings over 20 years of experience teaching all ages and abilities.
BOOKMAKING • GRADES 1-3
Dates: Winter II (7 total classes; Each Tuesday school is in session from January 6-February 17)
COST: $190
Students will create a variety of books in different formats, exploring the idea of the book as an art form. We will introduce a different book format each week (pop-ups, enclosures, book-in-a-box, etc.); students will have time to create and illustrate the book in class, and they might choose to continue developing their stories when they bring their book home each week. Great for storytellers and artists at every reading/writing level! Note: There are two sections of Bookmaking — one takes place on Mondays and the other takes place on Tuesdays. Students should only register for one of the two sections.
Winter Wildschool • GRADES 1-2
Dates: Winter I and II (13 total classes; Each Tuesday school is in session from November 11-February 17)
COST: $350
Winter Wildschool is where adventure and imagination meet! A mysterious quiet has settled over the woods, and our students are on a mission to bring the forest back to life. Guided by the five elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit — they’ll explore the outdoors, learn new wilderness skills, and uncover traces of the forest’s five forgotten guardians.
Each session brings hands-on challenges, outdoor activities, and creative exploration. Students will earn special charms for mastering each element and record their discoveries in their very own adventure journal. By season’s end, they’ll have restored the forest’s magic — and built confidence, curiosity, and a love for the winter wilderness along the way.
CREATIVE dance (PEABODY PREP) • grades PRE-K & K
Dates: Winter I and II (12 total classes; Each Wednesday school is in session from November 12-February 18)
COST: $325
Is your child constantly dancing or perhaps needs some encouragement to move? This class is the perfect place for them to safely use their bodies and explore their own creativity in a fun and welcoming environment. Our early childhood curriculum introduces students to fundamental movement patterns and locomotive activities that build vocabulary, physical strength, flexibility, and coordination. Classes practice rhythmic awareness, encourage social engagement, and promote self-expression through group activities. Your student will be a part of an inclusive learning environment that promotes artistic expression and come home inspired! Note: The class will have its culminating performance on Wednesday, February 18 from 4-4:30 p.m.
WInter wildschool • grades 3–4
Dates: Winter I and II (12 total classes; Each Thursday school is in session from November 13-February 19)
COST: $325
Winter Wildschool is where adventure and imagination meet! A mysterious quiet has settled over the woods, and our students are on a mission to bring the forest back to life. Guided by the five elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit — they’ll explore the outdoors, learn new wilderness skills, and uncover traces of the forest’s five forgotten guardians.
Each session brings hands-on challenges, outdoor activities, and creative exploration. Students will earn special charms for mastering each element and record their discoveries in their very own adventure journal. By season’s end, they’ll have restored the forest’s magic — and built confidence, curiosity, and a love for the winter wilderness along the way.
drama games • grades 1–3
Dates: Winter II (7 total classes; Each Thursday school is in session from January 8-February 19)
COST: $190
Boost confidence, creative thinking, and teamwork through the magic of drama! In this playful and collaborative class, students will engage in a variety of improv exercises, theatre games, and movement activities that foster expression, concentration, and imagination. Performing arts educator (and Park parent) Jess Crain brings over 20 years of experience teaching all ages and abilities.
Calligraphy • grades 4–5
Dates: Winter II (7 total classes; Each Thursday school is in session from January 8-February 19)
COST: $190
Have you always wondered how beautiful calligraphy is done? The secrets will be revealed in this class! You will learn to write in the italic alphabet, and once that is mastered, you will make some special projects to take home, such as birthday cards, stationery, your favorite song or poem, etc. Your friends and family will be amazed at your work! Important Note: Although all are welcome in this class, calligraphy can be challenging and even frustrating for lefties. Also, the letters will look different from those written by righties.
Saturday Morning Future Bruins Basketball Clinic • Grades 3–5
Dates: The clinic will run each Saturday, 9-10:15 a.m. from November 15-February 21 (No clinic on 11/29; 12/27; 1/3; 2/14)
COST: $50
Join us for a Saturday morning basketball clinic designed for 3rd–5th Graders! Led by Park’s Upper School basketball coaches and players, this clinic focuses on building fundamental skills — dribbling, shooting, passing, teamwork, and game awareness — through games and drills. More than just skill-building, the program offers a great opportunity for Lower School students to connect with Upper School athletes, experience mentorship, and spark a lasting love of the game.
This clinic welcomes players of all skill levels — from those picking up a basketball for the first time to those who have played recreationally and competitively. Activities and drills will be tailored to meet each participant where they are, with small group instruction designed to challenge every player at the right pace and help them grow with confidence.
Questions?
Please contact [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
