Clubs & Activities Registration

Our campus is host to a variety of after-school activities that extend the interests and talents of our students in wholesome, exciting ways.

Since its founding in 1982, Almaden Country Day School has understood and embraced the importance of experiential learning. Children learn and thrive when they are engaged in activities that are relevant, enjoyable, and meaningful to them. After-school activities can play a crucial role in this type of learning.

Please contact the Student Life Office with any questions.

2022-23 Clubs & Activities

Below are the current Clubs & Activities offerings. More clubs and activities may be added throughout the year and be announced directly to parents via email and added here.

Be sure to check out our new Clubs & Activities Calendar where you can view the club and activity dates and sign up for reminders.

View Calendar

Dungeons & Dragons II | Grades 6-8 | 1/10 - 5/30/23

Who: Students in grades 6-8
When: Every other Tuesday starting Jan 10 - May 30, 2023, 3:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Where: Classroom 41
Contact: Mr. Paul Justiniano
Cost: Free
How to join: Register Online
Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy adventure role-playing game where players take on the role of adventurers, working together to explore a magical and fantastical realm. Also referred to as D&D, this game that exists in our collective imagination encourages theatre of the mind, improvisational acting, creativity, social interaction, collaborative problem solving as well as building basic math skills and probabilities. More information about the benefits of playing D&D can be found here.

A single group of 4-5 is ideal and is led by a "Dungeon Master." The number of DMs will depend on total registration. This club will meet bi-monthly, on alternating Tuesdays from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. Consideration for additional meeting times are possible.

Makers Design Workshop: 3D Modeling Tools and Machines | Grades 4-8 | 1/12 - 2/16

What: Six week workshop on Thursdays
Who: Students in Grades 4 to 8 (max 15 students)
When: Thursdays on Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16
Time: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $300
Contact: Joanne Papini
How to join: Register Online

Students will level up their maker skills with a full 75 minutes of Makerspace tinkering time! In a safe and supervised way, students will learn how to use the Laser Engraver, CNC Router, 3D printers and each of the software programs required in order to use these design tools.

We will discuss why certain materials work best with certain machines and which to use depending on the project being created and its potential use.

Hand tools such as saws, drills, pliers and wire cutters will also be used with a strong emphasis on measuring and safety.

(optional: bring your device, or use Makerspace ipads or Macs)

Chess Club | Grades 1-8 | 10/7/22 - 5/12/23

Chess Club (Success Chess)

Who: Students in grades 1 to 8, beginner level (new the to game or limited knowledge)
When: Fridays, 1st Semester (12 sessions): 10/7/22 - 2/3/23, no class on 11/11, 11/25, 12/2, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30; 2nd Semester (12 sessions): 2/10/23 - 5/12/23, no class on 2/24, 4/14, from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
Where: Ms. Turnbull's 4th grade classroom 5
Cost: First Semester - $190; Full Year - $360 ($20 Discount)
How to join: Register via Success Chess

Love to play chess? Join the ACDS Chess Club run by Success Chess on Fridays online. The club is for beginning or novice players and will meet on Fridays from 3:15-4:15 in Ms. Turnbull's 4th grade classroom. It involves students learning and playing chess at beginning level. Students in grades 1-5 can participate. Get more information by visiting the Success Chess website.

ACDS Band | Grades 2-8 | 9/14/22 - 3/15/23

Who: Students in grades 2-8, all levels are welcome to join and will be breaking up the kids accordingly during class time based upon their musical level, but we are all meeting on the same day
When: We will have an assembly on September 14 to show students what band is all about then practices will continue the following Wednesdays (except holidays) until early Spring. Practices will be in the morning at 7:15am prior to the start of the school day.
September: 14 (assembly), 21, 28
October: 5, 12, 19, 26
November: 2, 9, 16, 30
January: 4, 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15
March: 1, 8, 15
Where: ACDS Fisher Event Center
Equipment required: Students are responsible for obtaining an instrument (rental or purchase), a music book (Essential Elements for Band) and downloading the accompaniment music online at home for practice. See more details in description below.
Contact: Chris Reed
Cost: $460
How to join: Register online

Do you want to learn to play an instrument, want to play music with others, and/or want to practice performing live?

Band, led by Modern Minded, doesn't just teach how to play an instrument and read music. Playing music increases student's memory while helping to improve coordination, math, reading, and comprehension skills. In band, students learn perseverance with a valuable sense of achievement and, while experiencing rich culture and history, learn a strong sense of responsibility. Even though we all know music nurtures self-expression, it’s important to remember it also improves student’s listening and social skills.Students integrate with each other and perform as an inspirationally powerful ensemble, demonstrating the true power music has to unite us all. While this year might look a bit different, we are confident we will be able to find a way to have a performance at some point this year. Modern Minded has adapted the Band program to ensure it will help to foster a love of music, while building skills on a band instrument (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Percussion, Trombone {Intermediate/Advanced}.

We will be bringing in full staff of Band Directors so we can split the kids into small groups during the start of band. Some days, we will have up to 5 teachers there in the morning. As the kids become more comfortable in their smaller groups we will move toward having all the kids together in our full ACDS Concert Band as we prepare for our Winter Performances.

All levels are welcome to join and will be breaking up the kids accordingly during class time based upon their musical level, but we are all meeting on the same day.

Students are able to choose to play the flute*, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or percussion. No experience is necessary. An experienced Band Director will lead the band and students support each other in their musical development.

Equipment required: Students are responsible for obtaining an instrument (rental or purchase), a music book (Essential Elements for Band) and downloading the accompaniment music online at home for practice. We do not rent out instruments, Park Avenue Music (Park Avenue Music, 1717 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126, 408-279-5100) does and we highly recommend them. Their prices are dependent upon instrument, but are typically: $20 (flute, clarinet, trumpet), $55 (alto saxophone) a month, and a one time fee for percussion of around $60 for a drum pad, sticks and the book.

Flute (this is the hardest instrument to get started on, it is normal to struggle during the first 3 weeks, but we highly recommend that if a student is struggling after 4 weeks of band, they take 4 private lessons to lock in their embouchure and the mechanics of the instrument. (There is nothing saying that you can not do this right from the beginning.) Instructor recommendations available upon request.
Percussionists must purchase a drum pad (any size), drum sticks (any size that is comfortable) and a book.
If your student wants to switch instruments after the first couple sessions, that is fine with us and typically fine with the music store at no additional cost.

Girls Who Code Club | Girls Grades 5-8 | 2022-23 School Year

Who: Girls in grades 5-8 (no experience necessary, limited to 16 students)
When: Begins Friday, September 30 from 3:30 - 5 p.m. and runs throughout the school year
Where: Makerspace (Imaginarium)
Contact: Anupama Natarajan
Cost: Free
How to join: Register online

Girls Who Code is designed to nurture and support an interest in engineering and computer science that often exists in middle school, but too often fades in high school. By focusing on real-life problems and on-screen role models, Girls Who Code aims to help ensure that this interest will continue to grow in high school and beyond. Our own chapter of Girls Who Code is open to girls in grades 5-8 and no experience is necessary. Girls will have opportunities to explore and work in pairs or individually, in a supportive, inclusive, interactive and collaborative environment. Depending on their interests, girls will learn to code in a few popular programming languages, practice logical thinking and problem-solving and build projects that entertains, educates or solves a real world problem. Some programs that GWC will explore include “Art & Math with Python,” “Games with JavaScript,” “Apps with JavaScript,” and “Web Programming.”

For more information, contact Anupama Natarajan. To learn more about this national club, visit their website.

ACDS Speech and Debate Team | Grades 6-8 | 2022-23 School Year

Who: Middle School students interested in joining the squad must take the Competition Speech elective during the first trimester.
When: 2022-23 school year, during the Competition Speech elective class
Contact: Coach Chris Wardner
How to Join: The 2022-23 school year will include a middle school speech and debate team. Students interested in joining the Middle School Speech & Debate team must take the Competition Speech elective during the first trimester. Returning team members can request permission to be on the team without taking the elective. Not everyone will be able to exercise this option and it is handled on a case by case basis. For more information, please contact Coach Chris Wardner.

For more information on our speech and debate program, please visit this page. Do you have questions about competition Speech and Debate Team? We hope we answered them here.

The following Clubs & Activities are either Full or Closed for Registration.

Math Club | Grades 3-5 | 1/5 - 3/30/23 | CLOSED

Who: Students in grades 3-5
When: Starts Thursday, January 5 and continues every Thursday from 3:20-4:20 p.m. until March 30 (Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - no meeting on Feb 23, Presidents' Holiday Break)
Where: Dr. Ai's room 40
Contact: Dr. Xin Ai
Cost: $300
How to join: Registration is now closed

Math Club for Grades 3-5 will start January 5 and meet every Thursday from 3:20-4:20 pm until March 30 (no meeting on Feb 23). We welcome all 3rd - 5th grade students interested in furthering their math skills, fundamentals, number sense, and interest in math (please note this club is not a tutoring club). The group will use the material from the California Math League, as well as playing games and engaging in activities that involve number strategy and math facility. We will also have two to three guest speakers (engineers from local tech companies).

Arts & Crafts Club | Grades 3-8 | 12/8/22 - 2/9/23 | FULL

What: Eight week club on Thursdays
Who: Students in Grades 3 to 8 (maximum 12 students)
When: Thursdays on Dec 8, 15 with Ms. Zaluska; Jan 5, 12 with Ms. Trejo-Milioto; Jan 19, 26 with Ms. Zaluska; Feb 2, 9 with Ms. Trejo-Milioto
Time: 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Cost: $240 + $40 materials fee ($280 total)
Contact: Weronika Zaluska and Esther Trejo-Milioto
How to join: The club is now full and closed for registration.

Sra. Milioto, a watercolor artist, and Ms. Zaluska, a ceramicist, invite you to join their new Arts and Crafts Club! With their combined 40+ years of experience as teaching artists, Sra. Milioto and Ms. Zaluska will take you on a creative journey through a wide range of processes and techniques. You will have a chance to explore: watercolor, ceramics, glass fusing, paper marbling, and more. The club will meet for 8 weeks on Thursdays (Dec 8, 15, Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9) from 3:15 to 4:15pm. All levels welcome!

Robotics | Grades 4-8 | 12/5/22 - 3/7/23 | FULL

Who: Students in grades 4-8 (limited to 18 students)
When: Robotics will meet for 7 Mondays at 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. starting Dec 5, 2022 until March 6, 2023 (Specific dates: Dec. 5, 12, Jan. 9, 23, Feb. 6, 27, Mar. 6)
Where: Dr. Song's classroom 23
Contact: Dr. Qing Song or Mike Agostino
Cost: $250
How to join: Registration is closed as the club is now full. Please check back for the next session in trimester 3.

Robotics Club continues to provide the opportunity for students to work on engineering and creativity skills in a collaborative learning way! Students at different levels will use new LEGO Mindstorm Inventors kits and Education EV3 kits to code and develop mechanical solutions to robotic challenges and real-life problems. Past projects include a driving base, robot puppy, pinball machine, obstacle course and classroom tissue dispenser.

Beginners will start with basic projects and move to more advanced projects as the club continues. Returning students can expect differentiation from past Robotics projects. Students will be grouped together with others in similar levels.

ACDS will provide space for practices and meetings. Robotics will meet for 7 Mondays at 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. starting December 5. If you're interested or need more information, please email Dr. Qing Song or Mike Agostino.

If you miss the sign-up for this trimester, don’t worry, we will have another session for Robotics in trimester 3.

Little Cougars Basketball Clinic | Grades 1-4 | 11/17/22 - 1/13/23 | FULL

What: Five week clinic on Thursdays or Fridays
Who: Boys and girls in Grades 1 to 4
When: Thurs, Nov 17; Fri, Dec 2; Thurs, Dec 8; and Fridays Dec 9, Jan 6, and 13
Time: 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Cost: $145
What to bring: Comfortable athletic shoes, and snacks if wanted.
How to join: The Clinic is now full and closed for registration.

The first half of each clinic will focus on instruction and learning the fundamentals. The second half features a controlled scrimmage with an opportunity for the kids to apply the skills they have just learned.Students who are signed up for the clinic will be picked up from their teacher at the end of the school day and escorted to the Event Center for the clinic. At the end of each clinic, parents should pick up their children at the field. Students enrolled in Apple Orchard or MASH will be escorted there. Students will receive a Little Cougars Basketball t-shirt for participating in the clinic. If you have further questions, please contact Athletic Director Derek McIntyre at dmcintyre@almadencountryday.org.

Running Club | Grades 5-8 | 11/9/22 - 2/15/23 | CLOSED

Who: Students in grades 5-8
When: Wednesdays from Nov 9, 2022 - Feb 15, 2023, 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Where: MS Quad, Los Alamitos Creek Trail, FEC (depending on weather)
Contact: Dr. Qing Song
Cost: $290
How to join: Registration is now closed

If your child loves to run, wants to start running, or cross train for the upcoming track and field season, join the running club! The running club will provide the students the opportunity to practice and improve their ability in running, and focus on practicing the skills and techniques of running, such as the running form, pacing and strength training. The goal is to gradually boost the student's ability to run comfortably in the distance of 2 to 3 miles.

Makers Design Workshop: Escape Room | Grades 3-8 | 11/3 - 12/15/22 | CLOSED

What: Five week workshop on Thursdays
Who: Students in Grades 3 to 8
When: Thursdays from Nov 3 - Dec 15, 2022 (no workshop on Nov 24; Dec 8 cancelled and rescheduled for Dec 15)
Time: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $250
Contact: Joanna Papini
How to join: Registration is now closed

If you missed the first Makers Design Workshop: Escape Room this is your opportunity! Learn from experienced escape room artist - Miss Papini, our ACDS Makerspace Teacher! Using many cool gadgets, machines and materials in the Makerspace, we will learn to create interactive clues, puzzles and props based on a theme we all agree upon. Miss Papini has led elementary and middle school students to create three epic escape experiences already: recently at her maker camps in Walnut Creek and before that, the wildly successful Haunted Cardboard Escape Room at the East Bay Mini Maker Faire.
* Even if you enjoyed the first Makers Design Workshop: Escape Room you are still welcome to join since there is always something new to design!

Math Club | Grade 6-8 | 10/27 - 12/15/22 | CLOSED

Who: Students in grades 6-8
When: Starts Thursday, October 27 every other Thursday from 3:20-4:20 p.m. until December 15, 2022
Where: Dr. Ai's room 40
Contact: Dr. Xin Ai
Cost: Free
How to join: Registration is now closed

Math Club for Grades 6 - 8 will start Thursday, October 27 and meet every other Thursday, from 3:20-4:20 pm until December 15, 2022. The group will use the material from the California Math League, as well as playing games and engaging in activities that involve number strategy and math facility. If your child is interested in joining such a club, please contact Dr. Xin Ai.

Math Club | Grades 3-5 | 10/20 - 12/8/22 | FULL

Who: Students in grades 3-5
When: Starts Thursday, October 20 every other Thursday from 3:20 - 4:20 p.m. until December 8, 2022
Where: Dr. Ai's room 40
Contact: Dr. Xin Ai
Cost: Free
How to join: Math Club for Grades 3-5 for Trimester 1 is full. Registration for Trimester 2 will be announced to all parents via email.

Math Club for Grades 3 - 5 will start Thursday, October 20 and will meet every other Thursday, from 3:20-4:20 pm until December 8. The group will use the material from the California Math League, as well as playing games and engaging in activities that involve number strategy and math facility. If your child is interested in joining such a club, please contact Dr. Xin Ai.

Dungeons & Dragons I | Grades 6-8 | 10/4 - 12/13/22 | CLOSED

Who: Students in grades 6-8 (limited to 10 students)
When: The club will meet bi-monthly, on alternating Tuesdays from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. starting October 4 and ending on December 13
Where: Mr. Justiniano's classroom 41
Contact: Mr. Paul Justiniano
Cost: Free
How to join: Registration is now closed

Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy adventure role-playing game where players take on the role of adventurers, working together to explore a magical and fantastical realm. D&D encourages theatre of the mind, improvisational acting, creativity, collaborative problem solving, and social interaction as well as helping to build basic math skills. More information about the benefits of playing D&D can be found here:

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51790/how-dungeons-dragons-primes-students-for-interdisciplinary-learning-including-stem

A single group of 4-5 is ideal and is lead by a "Dungeon Master." The number of DMs will depend on total registration.

Little Cougars Soccer Clinic | Grades 1-4 | 9/23 - 11/4/22 | CLOSED

Little Cougars Soccer Clinic (Grades 1-4)

What: Six week clinic on Fridays
Who: Students in grades 1 to 4
When: Fridays - Sept 23, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Contact: Derek McIntyre
Cost: $145
How to join: Registration for the Cougars Soccer Clinic is now closed

The Cougars Soccer Clinic is a class offered to ACDS students in grades 1 - 4. At the end of each class, parents will pick up their children at the blacktop. Students will receive a Little Cougars Soccer t-shirt for participating at the clinic. If you have further questions, please contact Athletic Director Derek McIntyre at dmcintyre@almadencountryday.org.

Makers Design Workshop: Escape Room | Grades 3-8 | 9/22 - 10/27/22 | FULL

Who: Students in grades 3-8 (limited space, 16 makers)
When: Meet Thursdays 3:10 - 4:30pm for six weeks (September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20 & 27)
Where: Makerspace (Imaginarium)
Contact: Miss Joanne Papini
Cost: $250
How to join: Makers Design Workshop is full and registration is currently closed.

Let’s create a clever interactive escape room experience in the Makerspace (Imaginarium) leading up to Halloween! Our customers (escapees), will be limited to our friends or family members for this initial workshop.

This is an amazing opportunity to learn from an experienced escape room artist - Miss Papini, our new ACDS Makerspace Teacher! Using many cool tools, machines and materials in the Makerspace, we will learn to create interactive clues, puzzles and props based on a theme we all agree upon.

Miss Papini has led elementary and middle school students to create three epic escape experiences already: recently at her maker camps in Walnut Creek and before that, the wildly successful Haunted Cardboard Escape Room at the East Bay Mini Maker Faire.

Intro to Robotics | Grades 4-8) | 9/19 - 11/21/22 | FULL

Who: Students in grades 4-8 (limited to 16 students)
When: Intro to Robotics will meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 3:15 - 4:30 p.m., starting September 19 until November 21, 2022
Where: Dr. Song's classroom 23
Contact: Dr. Qing Song or Mike Agostino
Cost: Free
How to join: Registration is now closed

Come stretch your engineering and creativity skills in this collaborative learning club! Students use LEGO Mindstorm EV3 kits to code and develop mechanical solutions to robotic challenges and real-life problems. Past projects include a pinball machine, obstacle course and classroom tissue dispenser. No experience required.

ACDS will provide space for practices and meetings. Intro to Robotics will meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, starting September 19. We also have NXT Lego sets for teams to borrow if needed. If you're interested in or need more information please email Dr. Qing Song or Mike Agostino.

Terms & Conditions

We accept payment by credit card only (all credit cards accepted including Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover). If you are not able to complete your payment by credit card and need to complete your payment offline, please contact our Student Life Coordinator, Derek McIntyre at dmcintyre@almadencountryday.org.

Due to hiring commitments, program, and material fees, cancellations for paid clubs, activities and clinics will be handled as follows:

All cancellations for activities must be received in writing by email to dmcintyre@almadencountryday.org.
Cancellations received at least 7 days prior to the start of the activity will be issued a full refund minus an administrative fee of $30/activity.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations received:
- 0 to 6 days before the start of the activity
- After the start of the activity
For any questions regarding program details and/or cancellations, please contact dmcintyre@almadencountryday.org.

Credits/Refunds are not possible for missed day(s) of an activity.

ACDS reserves the right to cancel any of our clubs, activities, or clinics due to unforeseen circumstances. In addition, all are subject to a minimum enrollment. Dates and times are subject to change. You will be notified of any change or cancellation via email.