After School
Greenwich Academy offers two after-school enrichment programs for girls in Lower School: Serendipity and Friday Afters. Additionally, LS students with older LS sisters may take part in Sisters, while girls with MS/US sisters and those who ride the bus may register for Study Hall. Finally, Homework Hall is open to Middle Schoolers who cannot be picked up at 3:30 PM. Please find more information as well as how to register for all these programs below.
Friday Afters (LS)
Friday Afters, sponsored by GAPA, is a supervised after-school program run on select Fridays throughout the school year. Participating PC/CC girls stay at Ridgeview (lunch is included) and Group I-IV girls have lunch in the dining hall followed by one of the many fun and educational extracurricular Friday Afters offerings. The program for PC/CC runs from dismissal until 1:30 PM. The program for Groups I-IV runs from dismissal until 2:50 PM. Friday Afters offerings change mid-year. Costs for the program are charged to your school billing account. Details of the class offerings are sent home prior to the sessions and are posted here.
Please note: If a class is over-enrolled, there will be a lottery. To be included in a lottery, you must register anytime during the official registration period.
Questions? Contact GAPA Friday Afters Co-Chairs.
Registration for Friday afters has closed.
Fall 2022
SCHEDULE & PRICING
Ridgeview classes: $260
Main campus classes: $520
Please note: Lunch for all girls participating in Friday Afters is included.
If you have questions about financial assistance to participate, please reach out to Kate Collins, Director of Enrollment & Financial Aid.
Meeting times:
- September 23, 30
- October 14, 21, 28
- November 4, 11, 18
- December 2 (make-up date)
Pickup:
Ridgeview: 1:30 PM
Main campus: 2:50 PM
PC & CC
Imagine Storytelling
Welcome to Storytelling 101! Your student will hone her public speaking skills and get ready to engage any audience with confidence, beginning with improvisation games, foundational debate exercises, acting lessons, and storytelling activities. The class culminates in a final performance of an original script, which will be edited by a professional cinematographer and made into our very own movie! Limit: 15 girls
Instructor: Bloom Performing Arts
Little Robotics: Sphero Indi & Ozobots
Calling all aspiring engineers! Designed to grow computational thinking and problem-solving skills, RAC students are invited to develop abstract reasoning skills and learn to “code” with Indi and Ozobots Robots. No computer interface is necessary; these robots are coded through color! Students learn the importance of inputs and outputs, directions, sequential instruction and “making” towards a goal. Limit: 10 girls
Instructor: MakeInspires
Softball
Play Ball! Learn the basics of softball: hitting, catching, and running the bases. RAC girls will enjoy customized sessions designed to introduce them to this classic team sport. BVSA will teach the proper foundation and skills required to compete at a young level. Players will gain proper knowledge and use of drills to better their game and have fun while doing it. Limit: 16 girls
Instructor: Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy
White Tiger Taekwondo
Fitness, Focus, and Fun! Explore the excitement and fun of Tae Kwon Do. Get exercise while increasing listening skills, focus, and also developing balance and coordination. Additionally, TKD unites the body and spirit and also instills self confidence and respect for others. Your children will learn the basics of Tae Kwon Do with the area’s most sought-after martial arts instructors right here on our GA campus. Limit: 15 girls
Instructor: White Tiger TKD
GROUPS I-IV
- Junior Robotics: Cubelets & Dash Robots (Groups I & II)
- Tennis (Groups I & II)
- Fencing Fun 101 (Groups I-III)
- The Big Picture: Art Empow-Her-Ment (Groups I-IV)
- Hands On Pottery (Groups I-IV)
- Girls Circuit Adventures (II-IV)
- Fashion Technology 101 (Groups III & IV)
- Waverly Girl Class (Groups III & IV)
Junior Robotics: Cubelets & Dash Robots (Groups I & II)
In this introduction to robotics, students learn how robotics power the world around us. Students will begin with common robotic sensors and actuators through no-code Cubelets Robots, and then graduate to Dash Robots (using block based coding). Similar to Scratch, with Dash coding, students learn the importance of sensors, angles and measurement, weighted averages, conditional statements and persevering through a rapid redesign process. Limit: 10 girls
Instructor: MakeInspires
Tennis (Groups I & II)
Fencing Fun 101 (Groups I-III)
The No. 1 ranked youth fencing club in the country is coming to GA! The Tim Morehouse Fencing Club will help develop coordination, reflexes, balance, and strategic thinking. Fencing challenges players physically and mentally while building confidence and self-control. The girls will learn basic fencing footwork, blade work, and sports rules. Fencing equipment—which includes mask, plastic chest protector, jacket, glove, and a weapon—will be provided. Limit: 15 girls
Instructor: Tim Morehouse Fencing
The Big Picture: Art Empow-Her-Ment (Groups I-IV)
Designed to inspire and empower, this program was custom-designed for GA girls with a goal to encourage open dialogue and foster an environment of support and inclusion. Each week, students will focus on one female figure (historical or current) who has left her mark on the world in a significant way. We will discuss her positive characteristics, strengths, and attributes, and then get to crafting using a different medium consistent with that woman’s legacy. Limit: 12 girls
Instructor: The Big Picture
Hands On Pottery (Groups I-IV)
Darien’s premier pottery studio will be coming to YOU! The girls will paint with glazes on various bisque items to make beautiful hand-crafted pieces of art. Students will use various techniques, including sponge painting, pointillism, masking paper, and much more, to create a number of fun, beautiful, and useful projects! Limit: 15 girls
Instructor: Hands on Pottery
Girls Circuit Adventures (II-IV)
Girls Circuit Adventures enlightens students about how all electronics work around us, providing a base knowledge for all technology. Create paper circuit art and watch the creation come to life with electricity! The girls will learn the specific elements of circuits and develop an understanding of key electricity concepts, such as voltage, resistors, LEDs, batteries, and more. Limit: 10 girls
Instructor: MakeInspires
Fashion Technology 101 (Groups III & IV)
Wear custom jewelry you design and make through 3D Printing! Students learn how to manipulate shapes in 3D Modeling Software to create their own earrings, charms, chains, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and more! Students will review proper design and measurement techniques critical to completing successful jewelry prints. Problem-solving is encouraged. Creativity is limitless! Limit: 10 girls
Instructor: MakeInspires
Waverly Girl Class (Groups III & IV)
The Friday Afters favorite is back! Inspire. Educate. Illuminate. In this special offering for Group III and IV girls only, the girls will be whisked away on “Waverly Tours,” exploring different cultures each week while participating in an experiential activity that allows them to explore, create, and learn about that culture. Limit: 15 girls
Instructor: Waverly Project
Serendipity (LS)
The Serendipity Program is available Mon-Thu to LS girls in Groups I-IV. The hourlong classes are mainly taught by GA teachers, with some outside instruction. There are three trimesters and options change each session. Courses range in cost and are charged to your school billing account. Serendipity instructors dismiss girls at 4:15 PM at the LS entrance. There is one pickup line for all groups. Prior to each session, information on Serendipity offerings and dates will be sent home, as well as posted here.
Questions? Contact LS librarian Leesa Singleton.
Registration for Serendipity has closed.
Fall 2022
All classes are one hour 3:15-4:15 PM. Please pick up your daughter(s) promptly. Since the bus leaves at 3:45 PM, parents of bus-riders must arrange for alternate transportation on Serendipity days. The Fall session starts Monday, September 19 and runs through December 14.
Serendipity does not meet on the following days:
- Monday, October 31
- Tuesday, November 22
INFO
- All charges will be billed to your school billing account.
- If there are classes for which there are more registrations than we have places, we hold a lottery to decide which children may attend. If your child is placed on the waitlist for a class, she will have priority the next time the class is offered.
- Your daughter may register for more than one class. Please be sure that the class is offered to her grade level.
- We reserve the right to modify classes or change faculty assignments when necessary. Classes with insufficient enrollment will be canceled.
- There are no Serendipity classes on half days or holidays.
- If your daughter drops out of a Serendipity class after the first week and her spot cannot be filled, you will be charged for the entire session.
LATER GATORS
MON
Classes begin Monday, September 19, 2022
Macrame Weaving - Groups I-IV
On Stage! - Groups I-IV
Come explore the world of the theater with us. We will work on all of the different aspects of performing a Broadway show, including scenes, theater games and songs. At the end of the session the girls will perform for friends and family in the new Young Auditorium.
Teacher: Mrs. Kelley-Young & Mr. Young
Fee: $250
Sculptey-licious - Groups II-IV
Use your hands to mold beautiful miniature creations! Use soft, colorful polymer clay to create mini food, unique jewelry, fantastic creatures, and much more. It’s a great opportunity to exercise your fine motor skills, expand your creativity, and have fun at the same time.
Teacher: Ms. Ayrolo
Fee: $250
TUE
Classes begin Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
- Chess - Groups I-IV
- Me and My Doll Sewing - Groups I-IV
- Scrapaganza - Groups III & IV
- Vocal All-Stars- Groups II-IV
Chess - Groups I-IV
For more than 2,500 years, chess has provided a fun learning experience for students of all ages and abilities. The National Scholastic Chess Foundation’s after-school enrichment program is tailored to accommodate students of different strengths within the same class. With a balance of structured lessons and supervised play, our students improve their ability to focus, to create and implement plans, and to adapt their thinking when circumstances change. Along the way, they are introduced to the game’s rich history, they learn to win and lose with grace, and to achieve their goals by persevering through adversity.
Teacher: National Scholastic Chess Foundation
Fee: $300
Me and My Doll Sewing - Groups I-IV
Join Sew Happy to hand sew clothes and accessories for an 18" doll. Projects will include fleece pajama pants and matching slippers, a cozy poncho and pillow. Kids are welcome to bring their dolls to this class! You will learn many sewing skills such as how to thread a needle, tie a knot, straight stitch, whipstitch, lock stitch, cutting skills, and project construction.
Teacher: Sew Happy
Fee: $300
Scrapaganza - Groups III & IV
Vocal All-Stars- Groups II-IV
Get ready to sing, sing, sing! Girls will learn healthy and fun vocal warmups and learn marvelous songs from movies, old and new. Skills will range from breath control to how to choose music. Sing a duet, in a group or sing a solo. You are sure to have fun singing your afternoon away in this class! Parents will be invited to a showcase on the last day of class.
Teacher: Mrs. Ellis
Fee: $250
WED
Classes begin Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
- Art Exploration - Groups I-IV
- Mrs. Ellis’ Knitting Nook - Groups I-IV
- The Room of Untold Stories - Groups II-IV
- The Wonderful World of Harry Potter - Groups III-IV
Art Exploration - Groups I-IV
Art Exploration will introduce the girls to a variety of art forms and materials. From acrylics, beads, crayons, and decoupage to water colors, yarn and zippers, students will create unique projects while manipulating a variety of art mediums. A fun and creative class for all art lovers!
Teacher: Ms. Ayrolo
Fee: $300
Mrs. Ellis’ Knitting Nook - Groups I-IV
Come bring a friend and hang out while you knit fun and easy projects! Our projects will include headbands, necklaces, bracelets, tube scarves, and more! Girls will be able to select from new yarn colors, and have the opportunity to knit on a variety of looms. Have fun while learning new ways to knit.
Teacher: Mrs. Ellis
Fee: $300
The Room of Untold Stories - Groups II-IV
Do you like creative writing? Well this is the class for you! In this class you will focus on writing short stories and/or fairy tales. We will start off by reading a variety of short stories and fairytales and learn from these examples to get our creative juices flowing. You will then write and edit until you have a composed story. The final classes will be dedicated to reading the stories aloud to perfect fluency and expression before officially presenting the stories to family and friends.
Teacher: Ms. Carbino
Fee: $300
The Wonderful World of Harry Potter - Groups III-IV
This course will be an exploration of the Harry Potter Wizarding World! We will discuss Hogwarts Houses, characters, magical creatures, and all things Harry Potter. This will involve arts and crafts, reading, discussion, and games (get ready for some Quidditch)! Welcome to the Wizarding World!
Fee: $300
Teacher: Ms. Schenk
THU
Classes begin Thursday, September 22, 2022.
- Crafty Hands - Groups I-IV
- Hula Hoop Weaving - Groups I-IV
- Resident Poets Club - Groups I-IV
- Sweet Cooking! - Groups II-IV
Crafty Hands - Groups I-IV
Hula Hoop Weaving - Groups I-IV
Resident Poets Club - Groups I-IV
Sweet Cooking! - Groups II-IV
It might be scary and stressful to imagine your kids in the kitchen. Yet cooking can teach important life skills. Following a recipe builds on literacy, math, time management abilities, and even cleaning skills! Sweet Cooking is intended to be a fun and interactive after school class that will mainly focus on teaching young girls the basics of baking! We will be making everything from sugar cookies, to cupcakes to larger and more complex sweets by the end of the session.
Teacher: Ms. Alcantara
Fee: $300
Sisters (LS)
Study Hall (LS)
Eligibility
Study Hall is a supervised study time for students in Groups I-IV who are waiting to leave on a bus, waiting to be picked up by a MS or US
sister. Only these students may attend. (Exceptions are sometimes made for families who have a pickup time that is in conflict with another area school. In this instance, please email LS head Jon Ross-Wiley for approval.)
Meeting Times
Study Hall commences the first day of school and continues throughout the year Mon-Thu. (Due to the much later MS dismissal and lack of a noon bus, there is no Study Hall on Fri.) Study Hall runs from dismissal to 3:45 PM, at which time bus-riders are brought to the Upper School Circle to meet the bus. All other students must be picked up from Study Hall by 3:45 PM.
Guidelines & Procedures
Although the time is brief, we hope students will use Study Hall to start their homework, so they have less to do when they get home. Girls should:
- Tell their teacher they’ll be going to Study Hall that day—no signup!
- Bring all materials and books required for that day’s homework.
- Snack is not provided. If your daughter would like a snack, please pack one in her backpack.
- Find a seat on the gathering stairs or in the LS science room and begin.
- Straighten up and check out with Mr. Ross-Wiley or Mrs. Schneider when it’s time to leave.
Questions?
Contact Colleen Schneider in the LS office.
Homework Hall (MS)
Eligibility
Homework Hall is a supervised study hall held after school for Middle School students who cannot be picked up by 3:30 PM. Students are expected to be picked up promptly after school or under the supervision of a faculty member after 3:45 PM. Students may not wait in the MS or US building unattended at any time.
Meeting Times
Homework Hall meets Mon-Thu 3:35-5:00 PM. There is no Homework Hall on Fridays.
Guidelines & Procedures
Students who are not picked up by 3:45 PM are required to check into HW Hall in the MS collaborative learning center. Parents or guardians may call the supervisor to request their child meet them outside at a pickup location (LS entrance or US circle). There is no need to sign up in advance.
The supervisor can be reached during HW Hall hours at 203.485.4058.
Fee
There is no fee for students waiting to board a 4:00 PM bus. All other students who attend HW Hall will be charged $15 per session. Anyone with questions about financial assistance should contact Kate Collins, Director of Enrollment & Financial Aid.
Questions?
Contact Sarah Barringer in the MS Office; she can also be reached by phone at 203.625.8905.