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 fall calendar includes all offerings for Fall 2025, and the winter and spring calendars will be updated with additional information shortly before winter and spring registration open.
| 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. | Rookly Chess League Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Yoga Grades 2–3 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. | Wilderness Explorers Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | |
| Robotics Grade 3 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Dance 101: A Journey Through Styles Grades 3–5 3:15–4:30 p.m. | Chess for Beginners Grades 1-2 3:15–4:30 p.m. | ||
| Peabody Dance Grades 1–3 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. | |
| Robotics Grade 4 3:15-4:30 p.m. | ||||
| Peabody Dance Grades 1–3 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. |
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 3
Cost: $225
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 six 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.
introduction to dance (peabody prep) • Grades 1-3
Cost: $225
Does your elementary schooler love to move? Come join us for a fun filled exploration of the fundamentals of dance! This creative and expressive introduction to dance is dedicated to the exploration and expansion of our movement vocabulary. Dancers will be inspired through self-expressive movement, as well as explore codified dance techniques that build new skills and engage our bodies in stretching, strengthening, and building new coordination. This class will integrate mindful breathing techniques and meditative movement exercises to help us regulate and connect through social awareness. Experience the joy of movement and dancing together in community. Students should wear close fitting athletic clothes with their hair secured off the face and neck.
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.
GARDEN CLUB • GRADES 1-5
COST: $225
Do you love nature and watching things grow? Do you enjoy being active and using your hands? Do you appreciate fresh smells and tastes? If this sounds like you, join the Lower School Garden Club this fall! Autumn in the garden means harvesting fruits and vegetables, observing lots of 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. Get your hands dirty!
DANCE 101: A JOURNEY THROUGH STYLES • Grades 3–5
Cost: $225
We will explore a variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. Students will learn the fundamentals of each style, build confidence, and express themselves creatively through movement. By the end of the class, students will have a taste of each style and newfound skills to continue their journey in the art of movement! Students should wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle each day. Please note that this class is taught by Park’s Middle School faculty member, Julia Strouse, and is not part of Park’s partnership with Peabody Prep.
CREATIVE dance (PEABODY PREP) • grades PRE-K & K
Cost: $225
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!
BEGINNER CHESS (ROOKLY CHESS) • GRADES 1 & 2
COST: $225
Offered through our new partnership with Rookly Chess, this beginner-friendly class introduces students to the fundamentals of chess, including piece movement, basic strategy, and early game tactics. Designed for those new to the game, the class uses Rookly’s engaging online platform to make learning accessible, fun, and interactive—no prior experience required.
ROOKLY CHESS LEAGUE • grades 3–5
Cost: $300
Offered through our new partnership with Rookly Chess, The Rookly Chess League offers students a chance to compete as a team against top schools throughout Maryland and beyond. Designed to build both skill and confidence, the league helps players grow on and off the board—learning how to win, how to learn from setbacks, and how to approach chess as a team sport. Whether you’re new to competition or ready to level up, the Rookly Chess League turns individual improvement into shared success. The league is both a fall (October-December) and spring (March-May) commitment, and the cost covers participation in both seasons. Please note that the league does not begin until early October; however, students that sign up for this league should not participate in other fall co-curricular or extra-curricular activities on Thursdays since it begins in the middle of the fall season.
WILDERNESS EXPLORERS • grades 3–5
Cost: $200
Have you ever wanted to explore the great outdoors, get your hands dirty, and connect with nature in a meaningful way? In Wilderness Explorers, students will dive into hands-on outdoor adventures while learning useful, eco-friendly skills that help protect and sustain our planet. From planting and gardening to trail exploration, environmental stewardship, and basic wilderness know-how, this class offers a fun and active way to develop your green thumb and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. Whether you’re a budding environmentalist or just love being outside, Wilderness Explorers is the perfect blend of adventure, learning, and environmental care.
level 5 ATHLETICS basketball clinic • Grades 2 & 3
Cost: $200
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.
YOGA • Grades 2 & 3
Cost: $200
During Friday Yoga, children will wash away the stress of the week and ease into the weekend feeling relaxed, refreshed, and peaceful. By the time they hop into your car at pick-up, they’ll be calm and centered. Each class will include age-appropriate yoga poses, mindfulness exercises, and simple meditation. Our focus will be on growth, both of mind and body, and on cultivating kindness toward oneself and others.
Questions?
Please contact afterschoolprograms@parkschool.net. We look forward to hearing from you!
