Beyond the Bell

Astronomy with Mr. Fox (2-5)

Join Mr. Fox for an enrichment class that is out of this world! Participants will explore outer space, our solar system, conduct experiments and entertain the possibility of alien life forms.

• Materials Fee: $30
• Instructor: Jeremy Fox

Coding and Web Design with Miss Brown (3-5)

Students will learn the basics of coding, web design and Canva to create their own website.

• Instructor: Whitney Brown

Games Games Games with Coach Holland (K-1)

This program will cover many of the games and activities that we study in physical education. We will play a variety of sports while working on skill development, sportsmanship, and team work. This program is designed for the children to have lots of FUN and find success at every turn.

• Instructor: John Holland

Mini Jazz Funk/World Dance Workshop (K-3)

This fun and upbeat class introduces students to various dance styles. Participants will learn the history and origin of each dance style. Class starts with a warm up focusing on technique, strength and flexibility followed by a fun, upbeat dance routine and educational games.

• Materials: $10
• Instructor: Adi Licht

Sewing (K-5)

Learn to hand sew and embroider with Miss Shannon's Sewing School. All projects teach different sewing skills beginning with learning how to sew on a button. All materials, supplies, and sewing kits are included.

• Materials Fee: $70
• Instructor: Darlene Streeton

Stories and Slime with Mr. Ayers (K-1)

• Materials Fee: 125

SHAKE IT OFF AND SHINE: A TAYLOR SWIFT CREATIVE WORKSHOP CLASS (K-5)

Calling all young Swifties! Get ready to dive into a world of music, creativity, and fun in our Taylor Swift inspired Beyond the Bell class! In this exciting class, you’ll sing your heart out, write poems and songs, craft cool art projects, and even dance like you are on stage at a concert. From journaling your own stories to designing your own album covers, this class is all about expressing yourself just like Taylor! Whether you’re into crafting, writing, or performing, there’s something for every creative soul. let your imagination run wild and join us for an unforgettable Swiftie experience!

• Materials fee: $100

• Instructor: Sarah Levitt

Adventures in LEGO and MAGNA TILES in America’s National Parks

The Buckley Griffin will be joining you on a wild adventure through some of the nation’s most beloved national parks. We will be virtually visiting a variety of national parks as well as experiencing indoor camping, hiking our nature trail, participating in national park scavenger hunts, art projects, and even skyping with a national park ranger! The Buckley Griffin will introduce you to the junior ranger program as well as recreating iconic national parks with LEGO and MAGNA-TILES! Be ready to become a national park expert with the Buckley Griffin!

• Materials Fee $125

• Instructor: Sarah Levitt

Basketball with Coach Benigno (K-2)

Point! Shoot! Score! This class is a fun and active way for participants to develop their basketball skills, including dribbling, shooting, and teamwork. Through engaging drills and friendly competition, children will improve their coordination and confidence while learning the fundamentals of the game. The class emphasizes sportsmanship, communication, and fitness in a supportive, encouraging environment.

• Materials Fee: $10

• Instructor: Jenelle Benigno

Cheer and Fitness (K-2)

Cheer class emphasizes fitness with warm-ups, stretching, and cheerleading techniques. We will cover the importance of teamwork while working on choreography, basic tumbling, and stunts. You’ll get to show your school spirit while building confidence and self-esteem.

• Instructor: Parker-Anderson Enrichment

Jazz Funk (1-5)

Jazz funk is an expressive and innovative form of dance that combines hip-hop grooves with jazz technique. Students will learn fast-paced combinations of movement while finding their own personal style. Class will begin with a warm-up focusing on technique, strength, and flexibility followed by a center floor combo. First graders with prior dance experience with Ms. Adi or elsewhere may now join this class.

• Materials: $10

• Instructor: Adi Licht

Puzzles and Brainteasers with Mr. Fox (3-5)

Unlock the power of your mind in this engaging enrichment class, where you'll tackle a variety of challenging puzzles and brain teasers designed to boost problem-solving skills and creative thinking. From logic puzzles to word games, NYT puzzle games like Wordle and Connections, and other brain busting games, each session is sure to provide a fun and stimulating way to enhance your cognitive abilities while having fun with friends!

• Materials: $10

• Instructor: Jeremy Fox

Upcycle with Mr. Ayers (K-5)

Full STEAM ahead! Make, play, and reuse with Mr. Ayers as we cut, fold, and connect cardboard. Explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with hands-on activities and dreaming up creative cardboard inventions.

• Materials Fee: $150

• Instructor: John Ayers

Weird and Wacky Science (K-2)

Come join us for some fun with Weird and Wacky Science! New, cool experiments each week. This class is filled with science activities: amazing crystals, magnetism, static electricity, gravity and so much more. Experience the scientific method as never before!

• Materials Fee: $25

• Instructor: Parker-Anderson Enrichment

Beginning Chess (K-5)

Chess at Three teaches children complex subjects through the art of storytelling. Through group classes, private lessons, and regular tournaments, children fall in love with the game of chess by learning from our story-based curriculum, designed to captivate any young mind. Here's a short video that talks more about how we teach chess.

Beginner: Piece Mechanics Students learn how each chess piece moves, one captivating story at a time. Our curriculum introduces each piece as a character with simple reasons for moving the way they do on the chessboard, enabling even the youngest students to recall the rules and play with enthusiasm.

Milestone: Playing a simple game of chess using all the pieces correctly.

Academic Skills: Working Memory, Critical Thinking, Fine Motor Skills

• Materials Fee: $10
• Instructor: Alexis Robbins

Ceramics (K - 5)

Using various hand-building techniques, students will create ceramic sculptures and vessels, inspired by some of their favorite literary, cartoon, or their own original character creations. Their sculpted pieces will be glazed, fired in a kiln, and returned at the end of the term."

Introducing Zoie Rivera from Little Yellow House Art.  Zoie Rivera, a lifelong artist and teacher with a strong background in ceramics, sculpture, and classroom instruction will be joining the Beyond the Bell team. Hailing from a family of educators, Zoie infuses her classes with joy and is cherished by her students. Zoie is very excited about teaching the ceramics and woodworking classes at The Buckley School.

• Materials Fee: $323
• Instructor: Ms. Zoie from Little Yellow House Art

Culinary Kids Academy - Masters (3-5)

CKA is a revolutionary and amazingly FUN, educator-created, cooking program that empowers youth to expand their culinary comfort zones, increase their self-esteem, and encourage independence - all while learning standards aligned academics...Oh, and they're having a BLAST while they do it! Be it Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Safety, or Nutrition, CKA utilizes an engaging and entertaining “stealth teaching technique” that has students completely unaware they are growing in vitally important and impactful ways. Students may think they are just having fun cooking phenomenally delicious recipes for an hour, but what they are truly doing is having experiences that will serve them well both socially and academically for a lifetime.  Please note that the 1:35 p.m. section is for second graders who have participated in CKA before-fifth graders. The later session is available for kindergarten-second graders.

• Materials Fee: $256.50

• Instructor: Culinary Kids Academy

Debate Club with Mr. Fichandler (3-5)

In this class, students will learn the foundations of debate through weekly debate topics. Students will dive into both real-life and fictional topics. Whether they’re debating if kids should have smartphones, or how best to set up a government on a new planet, they will practice passionate and respectful discussion. Students will emerge from this class with stronger abilities in logical reasoning, healthy disagreement, and perspective taking.

• Instructor: Matthew Fichandler

Dungeons & Dragons (2-5)

Parents: Whether or not you’re familiar with Dungeons & Dragons as a game, you may have heard of its potential as a unique and dynamic classroom tool. Over the years, teachers have shared countless stories about how D&D has helped students enhance skills in reading, math, deductive reasoning, planning, teamwork, creativity, STEM, social-emotional learning, and more. This collaborative roleplaying game is credited with helping students create meaningful and memorable engagement while validating self-identity & expression.

Students: Our D&D experience is a fun filled adventure spent making new friends and role playing a heroic character while cooperative storytelling inside a choose your own adventure style game. We’ll explore critical thinking & logic skills in order to traverse puzzles and realistic scenarios in an ever expanding adventure. We’ll learn to play a game that involves imagination, acting, reading, and creative writing. By the end of the session, players know how to play the world famous role-playing game: Dungeons & Dragons!

Come join us! Be a hero, adventure with friends and find treasure!

We’ll provide all materials and gladly welcome new or returning players. Each week will be a new & exciting part of learning & storytelling. It’s a chance to explore the world of their imagination.

• Materials Fee: $20
• Instructor: Mathew Poage

Hip Hop | Grades (K - 2)

A fun energetic dance class for both experienced and brand new dancers. Students will learn the history and origin of hip hop dance and will be introduced to both old and new school hip hop dance styles and moves from the cabbage patch to the sturdy. They will learn how to isolate, wave and pop. class starts with a warm-up focusing on hip hop technique followed by a fun, energetic, and challenging dance routine, and educational games.

• Materials Fee: $10

• Instructor: Adi Licht

Robot Building (K-2)

Build 3 awesome robots to take home while learning engineering principles such as levers, pulleys, and inclined planes.

• Materials Fee: $35
• Instructor: Parker-Anderson Enrichment

Tennis with Henry the Sports Bug (K-5)

Designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and gross motor skills through active play such as running, jumping and stretching, students will learn the basics of tennis, engage in fun games, and understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork. Players will be placed in groups of similar skill for drills and practice.

• Materials fee: $119
• Instructor: Henry the Sports Bug

Board Game PLAY with Mr. Fox (2-5)

Join us for an exciting enrichment class where strategy, creativity, and friendly competition come together through a wide variety of classic and modern board games. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this class fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and social skills in a fun and engaging environment!

• Materials: $10

• Instructor: Jeremy Fox

Books and Bricks with Mr. Ayers (K-2)

In this imaginative class, children will dive into beloved children's books, exploring stories and characters that spark their creativity. After each reading, they’ll bring the stories to life by building scenes and structures with LEGO bricks, combining literacy with hands-on fun!

• Materials: $100
• Instructor: John Ayers

Ceramics: (K-5)

By rolling, pinching, and sculpting clay, students will use their creativity and imagination to create whimsy vessels and sculptures inspired by the circus. From big-top tents to delectable snacks, the circus will be sure to inspire one-of-a-kind art pieces. The clay will be fired in a kiln off-site and finished art pieces will be brought home at the end of the term. Please note that the 3:10 section is for K-2 graders only. The early session is for our older students.

• Materials Fee: $323

• Instructor: Ms. Rachel from Little Yellow House Art

Compassion in Action with Mrs. Levitt (K-5)

Join Mrs. Levitt each week to do good for both our Buckley community, the greater Los Angeles area, across the country or around the world! In this fun and uplifting enrichment, students will spend the afternoon learning about how they can do small things to help others in big ways before putting that knowledge and compassion into action. Activities in the past have included packing meals for the YMCA, making dog treats and blankets for the animal shelter, hosting a Lemonade Stand fundraiser and painting kindness rocks to beautify a community. All time spent in Compassion in Action is eligible for Buckley community service hours. Do good. Feel good.

• Materials Fee: $125
• Instructor: Sarah Levitt

Culinary Kids Academy (K - 2)

CKA is a revolutionary and amazingly FUN, educator-created, cooking program that empowers youth to expand their culinary comfort zones, increase their self-esteem, and encourage independence - all while learning standards-aligned academics...Oh, and they're having a BLAST while they do it! Be it Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Safety, or Nutrition, CKA utilizes an engaging and entertaining “stealth teaching technique” that has students completely unaware they are growing in vitally important and impactful ways. Students may think they are just having fun cooking phenomenally delicious recipes for an hour, but what they are truly doing is having experiences that will serve them well both socially and academically for a lifetime. Please note that the 3:10 section is for K-second graders only. The early session is for our older and more experienced culinary artists.

• Materials Fee: $216.00

• Instructor: Culinary Kids Academy

Intermediate Chess (K-5)

Chess at Three teaches children complex subjects through the art of storytelling. Through group classes, private lessons, and regular tournaments, children fall in love with the game of chess by learning from our story-based curriculum, designed to captivate any young mind. Here's a short video that talks more about how we teach chess.

Intermediate: Opening Strategy For students that already know the basic piece mechanics, we delve into more detailed lessons focusing on planning out the first phase of a chess game, the opening. Kids learn to send their pieces on three “Secret Missions” at the start of every game, forming the bedrock of their strategic knowledge.

Milestone: Employ basic opening theory and execute planned sequences.

Academic Skills: Executive Function, Sequencing, Spatial Reasoning

• Materials: $10
• Instructor: Alexis Robbins

Intermediate Hip Hop | Grades 2 - 5

A fun and challenging dance class, where students will be introduced to various hip-hop dance genres including old school, new school, locking, house, breakdance, and more. Class starts with a warm-up focusing on strength, flexibility, and hip-hop technique followed by a challenging dance routine.  Students will learn a new routine every few weeks to work on performance skills and retaining choreography. Please note that this class is now open to second graders with previous dance experience.

• Materials Fee: $10

• Instructor: Adi Licht

Tennis with Henry the Sports Bug (K-5)

Designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and gross motor skills through active play such as running, jumping and stretching, students will learn the basics of tennis, engage in fun games, and understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork. Players will be placed in groups of similar skill for drills and practice.

• Materials fee: $119
• Instructor: Henry the Sports Bug

Birchguard Quest: A Role-Playing Adventure (K-5)

The first game of its kind for this age group, this tabletop role-playing game leads students on a rollicking ride through the fantasy realm of Arborheim, as they strive to become members of the legendary Birchguard. Investigate mysteries, solve puzzles, and topple baddies while exercising academic, social, and reasoning skills.

Milestone: Using teamwork to successfully complete a mission and being able to present a plan to their peers.

Academic Skills: Problem Solving, Quantitative Reasoning, Diplomacy, Collaboration Here's a short video about our Birchguard Quest class.

• Materials Fee: $10
• Instructor: Drew Brown

Board Game DESIGN with Mr. Fichlander (2-5)

If you like to play games and be creative, this class is for you. In this class, students will play and study existing board games in order to design their own. Lovers of Monopoly, Apples to Apples, Bananagrams, and the like will finally get a chance to invent an original game to rival the classics. Students will write a rule book, build a game board, and play their brand-new games, all while practicing fair play, problem-solving, and communication.

• Materials: $25
• Instructor: Matthew Fichlander

Diamond Games with Coach Holland (2-4)

This program will focus on the skills, drills, and thrills of games like Kickball, Tee Ball, and Baseball. The children will be in a safe and fun environment so that they can comfortably learn new games. We will work to develop hand-eye coordination, and introduce and review throwing and catching mechanics, base running skills, and batting fundamentals. The children will learn teamwork, cooperation, problem-solving, and engage in mini games. We will consistently reinforce having fun, trying your best, and being kind and respectful.

• Instructor: John Holland

Getting Crafty with Miss Brown (K-2)

Calling all crafters! Join Miss Brown for a fun filled afternoon of relaxation and creativity. Participants will be able to hone their fine motor skills and practice using school materials while cutting, gluing, painting, pasting and assembling their own treasures while socializing with peers.

• Materials Fee: $70
• Instructor: Whitney Brown

Girls Soccer with Ms. Epel (2-5)

This girls' soccer enrichment class offers a dynamic and supportive environment where players can develop their skills, build teamwork, and grow their passion for the game. Through fun drills, friendly competition, and confidence-building activities, participants will improve their technique while making lasting friendships on and off the field!

• Materials: $50
• Instructor: Nikki Epel

Hot Wheels Speedometry with Mrs. Levitt (K-5)

Students will use hands-on discovery and learn through a means of exploring scientific concepts such as velocity and gravity, kinetic energy, and more through the platform of iconic Hot Wheels! Our student engineers will design, crash, and test all things Hot Wheels to prove the science of force and motion through play. Through inquiry and investigation, students will share moments of joy, excitement, curiosity, and wonder. All topics will be presented in a developmentally appropriate way. This class will help promote a Growth Mindset and develop critical thinking skills.

• Materials Fee: $150

• Instructor: Sarah Levitt

Pokémon Art Academy (K-5)

Learn the step-by-step techniques to draw characters like Pikachu, Charizard, Mewtwo, Dragonite, and many more! Explore different hands-on art media such as watercolor, modeling clay, pastels,and more as you create Poké-Balls, Pokémon Shrinky Dinks, and even your own Pokémon Trading Cards!

• Materials: $25
• Instructor: Parker-Anderson Enrichment

Woodworking: A Workshop for Kids (K-5)

This class is a fun-filled introduction into the world of woodworking, specifically designed for beginners. Students will use fine motor skills to forge a strong connection between the hands and the mind. They are encouraged to try new ideas, exercise their imagination and creativity, and are allowed to make mistakes in a safe environment. With the guidance of an experienced artist/woodworker, children learn how to use tools safely, effectively, and (ultimately) independently. Students will have the opportunity to build a number of take-home projects that increase in complexity as they progress through their session.

• Materials Fee: $266
• Instructor: Ms. Cynthia from Little Yellow House Art

Brain Games with Mr. Ayers (K-5)

Bring your friends to end the week with fun and engaging games that will improve problem-solving skills, concentration, pattern recognition, and visual perception, while enhancing spatial recognition and increasing reaction time. Students will work alone and in pairs or groups to challenge themselves in a non-competitive and enjoyable way.

• Materials Fee: $25

• Instructor: John Ayers

Improv Theatre with Mr. Fichandler (3-5)

In this class, students will use their imaginations and silliness to engage in improv games and create an original, kid-made play! Students will step into the shoes, boots, cleats, or hooves of any person or creature they dream up, all while practicing important skills such as active listening and flexibility. 

• Instructor: Matthew Fichandler

Lego Exploration with Ms. Epel (1-4)

In this carefree LEGO exploration class, children can let their imaginations soar as they build anything they can dream up. There are no rules or limits—just endless opportunities for relaxation, creative play and personal expression through the magic of LEGO bricks!

• Materials: $50
• Instructor: Nikki Epel

Nature Trail Adventures with Mrs. Levitt (K-5th)

Bring your friends to end the week with fun and engaging games that will improve problem-solving skills, concentration, pattern recognition, and visual perception, while enhancing spatial recognition and increasing reaction time. Students will work alone and in pairs or groups to challenge themselves in a non-competitive and enjoyable way.

• Materials Fee: $25

• Instructor: John Ayers

Tennis with Henry the Sports Bug (K-5)

Designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and gross motor skills through active play such as running, jumping and stretching, students will learn the basics of tennis, engage in fun games, and understand the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork. Players will be placed in groups of similar skill for drills and practice.

• Materials fee: $119
• Instructor: Henry the Sports Bug