Introduction:

After-school activities play a crucial role in fostering students' holistic development, providing opportunities beyond the classroom to explore diverse interests and enhance various skills. It is our goal this year to increase the outside of school hour offerings to students in order to return the same level prior to 2020.  Our hope is to bring back some familiar competitions and clubs, as well as introduce new offerings to students. This document categorizes our after-school activities into four main groups: Sports, Arts, Academics, and Clubs.  

Sports activities aim to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Through participation, students develop discipline, resilience, and leadership skills. These activities complement classroom learning by fostering a healthy lifestyle and teaching valuable life lessons. 

Intramural Sports

We provide intramural level sports for 5th and 6th grade students as follows:  Fall - Volleyball, Winter - Basketball, Spring - Soccer.  See the schedule below for more details.  Practices are from 3:15-4:30pm with a culminating competition at the end of the season. This program will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registration for soccer is now open. Registration , emergency card and payment is required to hold your sport (links below). Each program will be 8 weeks long and is available to 5th and 6th graders at the Elementary school as well as our Summit Program. Drop off paperwork and payment in the office.  All practices will be held at the Elementary school from 3:15-4:15. Students will need to be picked up at the main entrance by 4:30 p.m. In the event that we do not have enough participants on one of the days, we will move those students over to the other day so that everyone can participate. We are looking forward to you joining us this year! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Wilson at mwilson@jajags.com.

Intramural Registration

Intramural Schedule

Intramural Emergency Form

Intramural Handbook

Clubs offer a diverse range of interests, catering to specific hobbies or shared passions among students. The goal is to create a sense of community, provide an avenue for social interaction, and allow students to explore niche areas of interest. Clubs serve as an extension of classroom learning by fostering camaraderie and collaborative learning experiences.  Examples of these are Yearbook club, Newspaper, and StuGo.ZAS

Formation of After School Activities:

Clubs are typically formed by interested students with the guidance of a supervising staff member. Students propose the idea for a club, outline its purpose, and seek approval from the school administration using a form from the main office and return to the main office. Once approved, the club is officially recognized, and members can start organizing activities.  

The Arts

Artistic pursuits, including visual arts, music, and drama, encourage creativity and self-expression. These activities enrich students' lives by fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts, promoting confidence, and developing critical thinking skills. They serve as an extension of classroom learning by allowing students to explore and showcase their talents.  This area includes our Musical, primary art and intermediate art.  Some clubs in this section may run 2x4 weeks sessions in each season.  Additionally, our Musical/Drama timeframes may go into 2 seasons.

Academics

Academic activities provide additional opportunities for intellectual growth. They may include subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts, offering students a chance to delve deeper into specific areas of interest. These activities reinforce and extend classroom learning, helping students excel in their academic pursuits.  Examples of these are Geography bee, Spelling Bee, and Math club.

Club and Activity Offerings

Teachers/sponsors will work together to ensure the club and activity offerings are spread across the days of the week to allow students the potential to select multiple offerings if allowed.   9 weeks is provided to compensate for any lost days.  All activities end at 4:30 PM unless otherwise agreed upon with administration (examples could be competitions, festivals, culminating event).

Below are clubs and activities JA is offering for the Fall of 2026 and HERE is the club calendar with a tab for days of the week and clubs and days each club meets. If you have an idea for a new club, reach out to Mr. Abling at mabling@jajags.com to see if your idea can become a reality!

Mondays-

• Chess Club - Mondays - 3:15 - 4:15 - ROOM CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR -Ms. Lord’s Room (5th Grade) - Calling all 3-6th graders. Join the chess club and become a master of strategy! You'll have fun learning new moves, challenging friends, and solving tricky puzzles. Whether you're a beginner or already know the basics, you'll improve your skills while making new friends!  Register HERE

• Talk to the Camera - Mondays, 3:15 - 4:15, Intermediate Tech Lab - Skit Kids Live - Live from the Jefferson Academy, it’s SKL! Do you have a creative kid at home who loves to act? SKL is a STEAM-based program where students learn what it takes to host their own comedic skit show. Kids transform into skit writers, actors, musicians, and set crew. Students work together to create a comedic episode with funny skits, commercials, and musical acts!  *Families will receive an edited episode a few weeks after the last day of class. HERE is more information and you can sign up HERE.

• Spelling Bee - Mondays -  3:15-4:15 - In Mrs. Lydick's room #310 - Are you in grades 4th-6th grade? Do you have a love for words? Is spelling your strength? Are you ready to show off your spelling skills and compete with your fellow classmates? Come and practice for the spelling bee! We will be playing word games and studying words! The school wide spelling bee will be during the second semester of the school year. Get a jump start with studying. Come and join this free club! Register HERE.

• Jefferson Academy Elementary offers NJAHS for 6th graders! - Mondays - 3:00-4:30 - Intermediate Art Room - The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS) programs are designed by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) to support and recognize students who have shown outstanding abilities in art. The NAHS and NJAHS programs support student members in their goal of attaining the highest standards in visual arts, and bring visual arts education to the attention of the school and community. Jefferson Academy currently has active chapters at the Secondary building for both middle and high school artists. We’re thrilled to offer an additional NJAHS chapter at Jefferson Academy Elementary to support our outstanding sixth grade students!  Students are invited to review a flyer with further details and apply using the forms available on JA’s art website (linked at our elementary website, teacher pages, Art: 3rd-6th). This year’s art application is open August 31st - September 4th. After the applications are reviewed, families will be contacted by September 8th with enrollment confirmation and receive a request to complete a registration form and to make a payment.  The club meets on most Mondays throughout the year from 3:00-4:30pm in the intermediate art room.

• 4th Grade Band - Mondays - Refer to the Band Website for all details on grade level after school meetings.

Tuesdays-

• NEW - Spanish Language Club - Tuesdays -3:15-4:15 - Mrs. Zott’s Room (4th Grade) - The after school School Spanish Club introduces students to the Spanish language through games, songs, conversations, and hands-on activities! Students build vocabulary, practice speaking, and gain confidence in a supportive environment. HERE is more information and sign up HERE.

• Intramural Sports - Tuesdays -Click HERE for information on Fall Volleyball.

• ART CLUB 2026-2027: Tuesdays - 3:00-4:30 - Primary or Intermediate Art Room -  JA's Art Department is excited to offer after school art clubs for 1st-6th grade students! Enrollment is open August 25th-29th. Information and registration for Mrs. Sovereign's 1st-2nd grade art clubs can be found HERE. Mrs. Weir's information and registration for 3rd-6th grader art clubs can be found HERE. We hope you can join us for some creativity, community and fun!

• Earth Club - Tuesdays, 3:00-3:45 - Library - If you are interested in Earth club, reach out to Raechelle Tucker in the library, rtucker@jajags.com, or have your student stop by and get a flyer with sign up information.

• 5th Grade Band - Tuesdays - Refer to the Band Website for all details on grade level after school meetings.

• Student Council - Tuesdays - Member to Student Council will be chosen through application only. Applications will go out for this school year soon, contact Mrs. Chapman at schapman@jajags.com for more information.

Late Start Wednesdays-

• Karate - Late Start Wednesday Mornings 8:45-9:45 - Synergy Martial Arts - Primary Gym. Get the day started off on the right foot!  Karate Club helps your child to develop self-defense skills and strong character through martial arts related drills and games.

  Head karate instructor Scott Pedersen will be teaching four early morning ‘Karate Club’ sessions (Sept 2nd, Oct 7th, Nov 4th, and Dec 2nd) from 8:45-9:45 am in the Primary Gym, for 1st through 6th grades.  The cost is $20/session and half of the proceeds are being donated to Jefferson Academy Clubs.

  Today, screens and sedentary habits often dominate too many children's lives. Karate is a dynamic and engaging alternative; improving fitness, discipline and self confidence. More information HERE.

Thursdays- 

• NEW - Golf Squad - Thursdays, 3:15-4:15, Meet in Commons, play on Int. soccer field, inclement weather will move to Int. gym - "Golf Squad at Jefferson Academy Elementary is for both new and continuing students and provides weekly opportunities for your child to learn the technical swing mechanics (i.e. putting, chipping, full swing, etc.) as well as the social skills required to enjoy golf, the clubs, and golf course (i.e. vocabulary, etiquette, rules, history, etc.) all under the instruction of a golf industry professional. Golf is a very challenging and fun sport that can lead to college scholarships.  So start early and start now...boys and girls!  Even if your child already plays, it is great to enjoy weekly, convenient lessons from the pro. (Click Here to read more on how and why your child can benefit from continuing professional, golf practice with Golf Squad at your school.) Register HERE!!!

• NEW - Tippi Toes Hip Hop (K-6) - Thursdays, 3:15-4:15, Primary Gym - Get moving with Tippi Toes Hip Hop! This high-energy class combines fun music, exciting choreography, and age-appropriate dance moves that kids love. Students will build confidence, coordination, and teamwork while staying active and expressing themselves in a positive, encouraging environment. No experience needed, just bring your energy and get ready to dance! Click here for more information and click here to register.

  We look forward to building the foundation to enjoy golf for a lifetime together!"

• 6th Grade Band - Mondays - Refer to the Band Website for all details on grade level after school meetings.

Fridays-

• Friday Band Practice Club (BAND STUDENTS ONLY) - Fridays - 3:15-4:15 -If your band student wants/needs additional practice time or instruction, this club is for you! This club offers free private lessons, tailored practice strategies, and peer teaching opportunities. During the spring semester, any student interested in honor bands, extracurricular bands, or solo/ensemble festival should consider this club. To sign up, use THIS LINK to go to the band website and locate the SignUpGenius link.

• Homework Club - Fridays - 3:30-4:30 - Ms. Burns Room (5th Grade) - Need a quiet place to get your homework done? Want some extra help from teachers and friends? Come join the Homework Club! It’s the perfect spot to finish assignments, ask questions, and feel confident about your work. Fill out THIS form to reserve your spot. Students in 4th-6th grade are welcome, limit 15 students per session.

• Crochet Club - Fridays - 3:15-4:15 -  Mrs. Welches’ Room (6th Grade) - Are you creative? Good with your hands? Want to learn a new hobby that reduces stress and improves brain health? Join our Crochet Club! Come be a part of creating a great space where we will learn new skills, share tips and patterns, and build community while perfecting our craft! There is a $25 fee to cover all the necessary supplies, payment can be made in the office.. All levels of experience are welcome! The club is open to students in grades 5th-6th with a 15 student maximum, sign up HERE.