AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

SPRING 2025

More clubs will be posted soon for Spring 2025. Please note the different registration dates for each club. If you have any questions, please email afterschoolclubs@highcrestpto.org.

CHESS-ED
Club days and times: Thursdays, 3:45-4:45PM, 04/03-05/29/2025 (9 weeks, no club on ‘No School’ days)
Club meeting location: HMS Cafeteria
Club fee: EARLY Registration through 3/24/2025 - $162; LATE Registration 3/25/2025 to
3/31/2025 - $192
Registration is open
Registration Link: https://highcrestmiddleschoolchess.eventbee.com
Chess-Ed provides unique, exciting, and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level
of expertise. Each week, students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play classmates.
Students will grow their knowledge of the game from basics through opening theory, middle game
tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance.
Studies confirm students who play chess do better academically. Playing chess increases IQ
performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving,
responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. The chess program is open to all students in all
grades and of all playing levels. 

IDEATE Math Camp

IDEATE Math Camp is specifically targeted to middle school children preparing to learn algebra. Our camp is based on the YouCubed® curriculum developed by Professor Jo Boaler and a team of educators at Stanford University.

IDEATE is designed to inspire and boost math achievement for students of a wide array of backgrounds and skill levels. Students will work in groups, build and utilize visualizations, explore mathematical ideas and learn in both indoor and outdoor spaces. The camp is uniquely designed to challenge young minds while building confidence and making math fun.

Website: www.Ideate-US.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE0aWdWSbB4

Club days and times: Mondays, 3:45 – 5:00 pm

Club dates: Mar 31 – May 5, 2025 (6 weeks)

Club meeting location: HMS Room 170, HMS Room 111

Club fee: $210

Registration is open.

Registration Link: https://www.ideate-us.com/register/p/ideate-mathcamp-highcrest-middle-school

WINTER 2025

SKYLINE CHILDREN’S THEATER  2024-25 Winter
This program is a no-cut program designed for middle school actors. Every actor who participates is assigned a named role and receives a script and rehearsal materials. Performers will be challenged by a professional teaching artist, and level up by learning advanced performance skills such as solo vocal technique, sophisticated character development, complex blocking, and challenging musical theatre choreography. The sessions culminate in a final performance for friends and family.
Moana Jr. is a thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana and friends Pua and Hei Hei as they set sail across the Pacific to save Motunui and discover the truth about her heritage.

WEDNESDAY SESSION FULL BUT THURSDAY SESSION AVAILABLE

Rehearsal Days: Wednesdays, 3:45-5:45PM, Feb 19 – May 7 (no class during spring break, 11 sessions)
Rehearsal meeting location: 2 classes - HMS Auditorium and Drama Room (Room 123)

Show Day, times and location: 2 shows – Wednesday, May 14, 2024, Show Times TBD, HMS Auditorium

Rehearsal Days: Thursdays, 3:45-5:45PM, Feb 20 – May 8 (No class on Mar 27 – Spring Break) (11
sessions)
Rehearsal meeting locations: HMS Auditorium
Show Day: Thursday, May 15, 2024, Show Times TBD, HMS Auditorium
Club fee: $370
Registration open date: Open
Registration Link: https://wix.to/L8cLr1j

CHESS-ED 2024-25 Winter
Open to all students in all grades and of all playing levels!

Chess-Ed provides unique, exciting, and dynamic chess instruction which lifts each student to a new level of expertise. Each week, students will enjoy an engaging lesson with supervised time to play with the classmates. Students will grow their knowledge of the game from basics through opening theory, middle game tactics and end game combinations. Students’ vocabulary and math skills will continue to advance. Studies confirm students who play chess do better academically. Playing chess increases IQ performance, improves memory, uses analytical and critical thinking skills, teaches problem solving, responsibility, sportsmanship, social skills and more. 

Club days and times: Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 pm, Jan 9 – Mar 20 (11 weeks)
Club meeting location: HMS Cafeteria

Club fee: EARLY Registration through 12/27 - $198; LATE Registration 12/28 to 01/06/2025 - $228
Registration opens: Dec 5, 2024, 10:00 am
Registration Link: https://highcrestmiddleschoolchess.eventbee.com

DEBATE 2024-25 Winter 

ACES Debate Club: Learn research, writing, and oral argumentation. Programs for beginning and experienced debaters, 5th through 8th grade! All programs consist of weekly class sessions held at HMS for 60 minutes with supplemental debate activities. The program concludes with a 2-hour session to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their new skills in full debates.

Club days and times:

Thursdays, 3:45-4:45 pm (Advanced Debate **only for debaters who have done debate before), Jan 23 – Mar 13 (8 weeks)

Fridays, 3:45 – 4:45 pm (Intro to Debate **only for debaters who have not done debate before), Jan 10 – Mar 14 (8 weeks, no club on ‘No School’ days)

Club meeting location: HMS rooms 109 & 111  

Club fee: $280
Registration opens: Dec 5, 2024, 9:00 am
Registration Link: https://www.acesdebateclub.com/register/

HIGH FIVE CHOIR 2024-25 Winter
The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir strives to provide a safe, affirming learning environment in which students of all abilities come together to create and experience music, build friendships, and raise awareness against stereotypes of differently abled people. This club was designed after the High-5 Choir that is offered at New Trier High School. The Wilmette High Five Junior Choir aims to share the love of music with peers regardless of abilities, share our voices through music, and have a lot of fun! If you want to better understand what High Five Junior Choir is, please watch this video.

**Please note that the High Five Junior Choir is different from the grade level choirs. If you mean to register your child for the 5th or 6th grade HMS choir, please do so with the school provided forms.

Club days and times: Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:45, Jan 30, 2025 – May 1, 2025 (12 weeks, no club on Mar 6
and ‘No School’ days)

Club meeting location: Music Room 134

Sprint Concert dates and times: May 8, 2025, 4:15 – 4:45 pm, HMS Auditorium

Spring Sing with NTHS: May 22, 2025, 11:45 am – 12:30 pm (plus travel time)
Instructor: HMS Music Director, Mrs. Martin

Club fee: $125
Registration opens: Dec 13, 2024, 9:00 am
Registration Link: https://www.highcrestpto.org/store/12338

YEARBOOK CLUB 2024-25 Winter
Do you want to learn how to produce and promote our HMS Yearbook? Do you enjoy photography? Do you enjoy being part of a team? Then come be a part of the team that will organize photos for our annual yearbook and create videos for broadcast, promoting the sale of yearbooks.

Club days and times: Mondays, 3:40 – 4:40, Jan 13, 2025 – Mar 17, 2025 (8 weeks, no club on ‘No
School’ days)
Club meeting location: Room 209

Club fee: $125
Registration opens: Dec 13, 2024, 9:00 am
Registration Link: https://www.highcrestpto.org/store/12371

LEGO Prime Robotics After-School Club 2024-25 Winter

DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT, THIS CLUB HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE WINTER SESSION