After School

Extending the Day to 4:00

After School Classes: 3:00 to 4:00 PM

Art! Clay! Karate! Sports! Theater! Chess!

Our students don’t stop learning when the school day ends. We collaborate with specialists from all over New York City to give our students extracurricular choices to fit a variety of developmentally appropriate skills and interests. These diverse after school activities enhance our play-based curriculum and further the mission of the school to create well-rounded learners. There’s something for everyone!

After School Classes are open to all children. Select classes are open to children aged 3+. For Winter/Spring 2027, programming will begin during the week of January 11, 2027 and will run through the week of May 31, 2027. Classes will run from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. In addition to engaging in the after-school program, children will have a short time to enjoy a snack. An IPS teacher will remain with the children for the duration of the class.

Scheduling: Be sure to sign up for programs that fit your child’s schedule.
Enrollment: To enroll in After School Classes, please log onto your Parent Portal. There is a limit to the number of children who can be enrolled in each activity. Classes with insufficient enrollment will be canceled. Class offerings will be emailed to all families prior to the new semester.
Absences and cancellations: If a child misses a session, there can be no refund. In case IPS must cancel a session, we will make every effort to notify parents in advance and to reschedule the class.
Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Winter/Spring 2027 Classes

Mondays: 14 classes
TADA! Theater (Room 4, 6, 7)
After School Play (all ages)
Clay Club with Ms. Deb (all ages)
Chess with Ms. Karen (Rooms 4, 7 with no prior IPS Chess classes)

Tuesdays: 18 classes
Chess with Ms. Karen (Rooms 6, 7 who were enrolled in the Fall)
Clay Club with Ms. Deb (all ages)

Wednesdays: 19 classes
Sports with Ms. Eileen (all ages)
Spanish with Ms. Millie (Room 4, 6, 7)

Thursdays: 18 classes
Art with Ms. Grace (all ages)
After School Play (all ages)

Fridays: 16 classes
Cooking with Ms. Margaret (all ages)
Chibikko Karate with Mr. Doug (all ages)

Class Descriptions

After School Play

TADA! Theater

Chess with Ms. Karen

Designed specifically for children ages 3.5–5, the IPS chess program introduces young minds to the game through engaging, interactive play. Students explore piece movements, basic strategies, and foundational rules while developing core cognitive skills—such as problem-solving, focus, patience, and confidence.

Through age-appropriate activities, the program creates an exciting environment where learning feels like play, empowering young learners to think critically and grow with every game.

Because every little chess player has the potential to make a big move!

Clay Club with Ms. Deb

Children will explore the wonderful three-dimensional properties of this “magical mud.” They can pound and press, pinch and piece together forms as dictated by their imagination. Abstract or representational? Working with clay allows not only for fluid creativity, but serves to strengthen hand and finger muscles, critical in the development of fine motor skills. The pieces made in this class will be fired and glazed in a kiln, their transformation providing wondrous lessons in science. The bottom line? Playing with clay is messy, creative, limitless, and just plain FUN!

Sports with Ms. Eileen

After School Sports with Ms. Eileen introduces preschool children to a variety of sports and movement skills through fun, age-appropriate activities. Children explore tennis with balloons, golf on a putting green, soccer, baseball, and active movement games that build coordination, balance, confidence, teamwork, and listening skills. We focus on learning through play while encouraging running, pivoting, throwing, catching, and healthy physical activity in a positive and supportive environment.

Spanish with Ms. Millie

Spanish with Ms. Millie will introduce young children to the Spanish language in a fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate way. Through music, movement, games, storytelling, arts and crafts, and interactive activities, the children would build early language skills while developing confidence, listening skills, and cultural awareness.

Learning a second language at an early age supports cognitive development, memory, communication skills, and cultural appreciation. Most importantly, the children will have fun while learning through engaging experiences tailored to their age and interest.

Art with Ms. Grace

Cooking with Ms. Margaret

Time spent in the kitchen is about more than just cooking and baking—it sparks imagination, ignites creativity and establishes core memories that build character and promote confidence. Through hands on exploration and using all fives senses, children will explore a variety of food. Learning to safely chop, measure, pour and mix ingredients enhances various skills such as fine motor, math, language etc. We blend culinary education with fun, as we foster independence and we build teamwork and connections.

Chibikko Karate with Mr. Doug

Dedicated to DISCIPLINE of MIND and BODY and the DEVELOPMENT of a POSITIVE WINNING ATTITUDE, our classes help develop self-confidence, self-esteem, discipline, focus, respect, self-defense, fitness, and fun while studying the basic elements of karate. These skills will help your child excel at home, at school, and in life.

Mr. Doug is a Shodan in Isshinryu Karate and Associate Instructor at the Randolph Martial Arts Academy.