Homework help, Mandarin Chinese, and supplemental Math and English practice are all included in our after-school program tuition. Your child may participate in all of these programs, or you may choose any combination.
NOTE: The enrollment ages for TK may not be younger than 4 years and 9 months on the first day of school.
Grade 1-2: Pre-Public Speaking. This class focuses on teaching the beginning building blocks of public speaking. Starting with being ready, practiced, and focused, they will learn the importance of body language and varying the tempo and tone of their voice. They will also learn the value of good openings and closes. Within the fun milieu of the show and tell, storytelling, and poetry recitals, the goal is for your child to start developing more confidence and skill in expressing themselves to a group.
Grade 3-5: Public Speaking & Debate Combo. This class focuses on teaching delivery and presentation skills to the students. Students learn how to manage public speaking anxiety, present themselves with confidence, and connect with their audience through effective body language. It improves their confidence in public speaking and communication skills. They learn different approaches to preparing for a speech, for example speaking from notes or from memory. The students learn how to make strong arguments, use tools like flow, and practice note-taking. This course instills critical thinking in students by providing reasoning and evidence. This course introduces various formats of debates popular in high school. The participants debate on a variety of age-appropriate topics in various formats.
Instructor:
Gurus Education Program - Don Maker holds a BA in English and Comparative Literature from UC San Diego and an MA in Education from Chapman University. He was an English and History teacher before leaving public education to work with private companies and students. He is also a published author of seven novels, numerous articles, and poems, and has written two screenplays and one stage play. he loves teaching students of all ages and wishes for each student to reach their maximum potential.
Sessions:
September 9-December 9, 2024 (11 sessions). Meet every Monday at 3:30 pm (Grade 1-2) and at 4:30 pm (Grade 3-5)NO CLASSES: 10/14 Fall Non-School Day, 11/11 Veteran's Day, and 11/25 Thanksgiving break.
(Minimum 7 students/Maximum 10 students)
These workshops are for students with strong math skills who want to pursue excellence in math in fun-filled and interesting ways. Math Champions for Fall 2024 will be segmented into three parts – math worksheets, individual mental math quizzing, and Math Kangaroo word problems. Most math subjects covered in the Common Core are addressed, but problem areas will receive more attention. Math Kangaroo competition test problems and other word problems are the foundation for this workshop. The focus is on methods of analysis, critical thinking, and having fun with math rather than on "math drills". Students are strongly encouraged to sign up for the International Math Kangaroo 2025 competition in March 2026 with enrollment starting on September 15, 2025.
Instructor:
Ron LaTour is a retired electrical engineer with computer science experience who has a passion for helping students better learn math and science concepts.Sessions:
September 9-December 2, 2024 (10 sessions). Meet every Tuesday at 3:30 pm (Grade 2) and 4:30 pm (Grade 1)NO CLASSES: 10/14 Staff Development Day, 11/11 Veterans Day, and 11/25-11/27 Thanksgiving break.
(Minimum 4 students/Maximum 10 students)
Throughout the program, students will create 6 to 9 unique art pieces, each designed to spark creativity and build confidence. They will experiment with a variety of exciting mediums, including: fused glass, pottery painting, canvas painting plus other imaginative surprises! All materials are provided, and every project is crafted to be both fun and enriching.
Instructor:
Aran Mimran owned Aran's Art Studio in Castro Village for over 22 years. She currently teaches art camp, acrylic pours, raw clays, glass fusing, and so much more. She frequently brings art lessons into public school classrooms in Castro Valley, San Leandro, Oakland, Hayward, and Fremont.
Sessions:
September 12-December 12, 2025 (10 sessions). Meet every Friday at 2:30 pm.NO CLASSES: 09/26 Student Advisement Conf., 10/10 Fall Non-School Day, 10/31 Halloween Day, and 11/28 Thanksgiving break.
(Minimum 8 students/Maximum 12 students)
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of chess! Chess is fun and can be learned quickly and easily! Studies have found that chess helps improve test results in reading, science, and math, and produces growth in critical cognitive skills. Beyond academia, chess influences social behavior including self-esteem, respect for others, patience, and good sportsmanship. And did we mention it’s FUN!
Instructor:
Berkeley Chess School instructor.
Sessions:
September 12-December 12, 2025 (10 sessions). Meet every Friday at 2:30 pm (Grade 1-2) and Friday at 3:30 pm (Grade 3-5).NO CLASSES: 09/26 Student Advisement Conf., 10/10 Fall Non-School Day, 10/31 Halloween Day, and 11/28 Thanksgiving break.
(Minimum 10 students/Maximum 20 students)
