Curriculum » After School Enrichments

Throughout the year, after-school enrichment activities and sports are offered for our students' interest and enjoyment. Some of the activities take place on school grounds while others are at off-campus locations. Currently, the after-school sports program includes intramural sports, soccer, baseball, cross country, swimming, basketball, skiing and golf. Other enrichment programs offered include SSAT preparation, Improv, Destination Imagination, Lego League, Orchestra, Select Chorus, and HAT day (Help After-School on Thursdays.) Instrument lessons are provided during regular music class and are paid separately to the instructor. Fees for these activities are charged separately.

Enrichment Programs

Destination Imagination Destination Imagination is a program designed for creatively gifted students that uses an athletic model to provide challenging, problem solving experiences for students who work in cooperative teams to solve long-range problems. DI generates enthusiasm and provides an opportunity to develop social skills and fulfill creative potential. NH-DI teams match wits and abilities in local, state, and global creativity tournaments. The emphasis is on creativity, and less on hard competition.

There are four levels of competition, determined by the grade or birth date of the oldest child on the team. The foundation of the contest is the creative solution of one of five unusual challenges that students work on for three to five months. These challenges are designed with specific goals, guidelines, appraising criteria, and monetary limitations. New team challenges are created every year. Teams of up to seven students choose the topical challenges, based on the team's interests. These must be totally team-solved, without any outside help and generally have a cost limitation of $150. Hampstead Academy teams and coaches meet in the school gymnasium on Fridays.

Hampstead Academy Orchestra/Instrumental Lessons Students in Grades 4 – 8 are encouraged to join Orchestra in September. Orchestra meets after school one day per week TBD. Students perform at holiday concerts, group meetings and during special school events. Individual instrument lessons are also available before, after or during the school day. Information about Orchestra and Instrumental lessons will be distributed during Open House and will be posted on the website.

Intramural Sports After school intramurals allow for additional time for students in grades 1-5 to practice the skills learned in physical education classes and apply strategies or concepts to a more competitive situation while stressing the importance of good sportsmanship and fair play. Sign ups will be posted on the website.

Competitive Sports Upper school athletic teams are offered each trimester with practices 2 days a week in an effort to prepare our students for a high school team experience. Student interest and coaching staff dictate the teams offered each year. In recent years, we have offered cross-country, soccer, softball, basketball and baseball. Specific information about all competitive sports can be found on the website under "Parents and Students" – click Sports and P.E.

Drama Club The Hampstead Academy Actors Movers and Singers (HAAMS), more commonly known as the Drama Club, returns for its third year. The HAAMS will meet one afternoon TBD from 2:45-5PM beginning in October and continuing throughout the school year, culminating in a performance in June. The Drama Club will consist of up to 30 members in grades 5-8, and will be directed by Scott Severance. Students in the Drama Club will exercise their creative imaginations in all aspects of theatre production, voice and diction, movement, improv, costumes, scenery and props.

Lego League Lego League is considered the "little league of FIRST ROBOTICS" competition. Students in Grades 6-8 use legos to build a robot and complete designated tasks. Students work on FIRST during the first trimester activity period as well as after school. The regional and state competitions take place in November and December.

Extended Care Extended care is available between the hours of 7:30-8:00 AM and 2:45-5:15 PM on a contracted basis. Extended care students participate in outdoor recreation, indoor board and card games, homework time, and computer time.

HAT Day The Upper School faculty will be offering HAT Day – (Help After School on Thursdays) from 2:45 to 3:30. Upper school students will be able to stay after school to complete assignments, get extra help from teachers, work on group, individual or art projects, or spend time on any school related projects.

Student Council Student council helps acquaint students with the democratic process and offers further opportunity for a voice in the school's operation, events and philanthropies. Executive officers are elected from the Upper School classes and enjoy the sense of service and responsibility that comes with the office. Each class also appoints a representative whose job is to share the concerns of his/her class with the council. (Older students serve as representatives for the first and second grade classes) The student council experience allows students to explore and develop leadership qualities while working collaboratively with peers and faculty.

Yearbook Committee Each year the school creates and publishes its own yearbook. Eighth grade students may become involved in photography, design, selling advertising, writing, editing and publishing. Generally, the yearbook committee starts meets on Tuesdays during the third trimester. Stacy Kutzelman coordinates the production of the annual yearbook.

Swim Club For eight weeks during the fall trimester, swim participants take the Hampstead Academy school bus at 2:30 PM on Wednesday to Cedardale Aquatic Center in Bradford, Mass. for a one hour swim lesson, followed by a half hour of free swim.

Ski Club For six weeks during the winter trimester, ski participants take the Hampstead Academy school bus at 2:30 pm on Wednesdays to Bradford Ski Area in Bradford, Mass., where they can take ski lessons, or simply enjoy two hours of skiing with their classmates.

Golf Club For eight weeks during the spring trimester, golf participants take the Hampstead Academy school bus at 2:30 pm on Wednesdays to Granite Fields Golf Club in Kingston, NH where they participate in lessons on the driving range and on the 18 hole golf course.

Chinese The Chinese program is offered each trimester but is most effective for those who opt for a full year emersion. This program gives students an introduction to Mandarin Chinese. In this class, students will learn about reading and writing Chinese characters, Chinese pronunciation/tones, the Pinyin Romanization system, Chinese grammar and more. Through this class, students will also be introduced to Chinese artwork, people, culture and their customs.