Extracurriculars

​​We're proud to offer co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities led by SAA faculty, staff, parent volunteers, and enrichment partners who are deeply committed to the education and development of our students beyond the classroom. 

Mission of Extracurriculars at SAA 
Extracurriculars at Science & Arts Academy strive to cultivate a sense of belonging, foster school spirit, increase collaboration with students in different grade levels, and provide opportunities for students to connect with teachers outside of the classroom. Our objective is to provide every student with the opportunity to take advantage of at least one learning opportunity beyond the classroom that will enrich his/her school year experience. We accomplish this by delivering high value programming - diverse options at low costs on the SAA campus - to our students. 

Participation & Impact
Current or former faculty and parent volunteers facilitate 90% of offerings and 4 of every 5 students participate in at least one school sponsored extracurricular each year, demonstrating our community’s deep commitment to cultivating the academic abilities, creative talents, and emotional growth of students beyond the classroom. 

SAA recognizes the challenge of balancing extracurricular involvement with the concern of over-scheduling. The school understands that students and families have varied interests and goals, logistical challenges, and other circumstances that dictate participation levels. We encourage students and families to participate at a level that feels right for them. Student and parent satisfaction is continually assessed through surveys and other feedback mechanisms, and informal program observations are conducted periodically. 

Family Engagement
We’re appreciative of our families who give generously of their time, talent, and treasure to our extracurricular programs. Volunteerism takes many forms: leading a semester or yearlong activity, providing snacks for competitions, transporting students to off-site events, and more. Participation in extracurriculars is contingent on students maintaining good academic standing and adhering to the same behavioral expectations as the regular school day.
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Every school year year we look forward to providing a wonderful extracurricular experience to our student body, whether it be on stage, in the lab, on the field, or somewhere in between! For questions about our extracurricular program please contact info@scienceandartsacademy.org or 847-827-7880.

SAA families can register for programs via their CampBrain account. 
Clubs and Enrichment Opportunities
​Below are some of the extracurricular opportunities offered to SAA students. For a complete list of the 2021-2022 extracurricular offerings and details, please contact the school office. ​
Athletics
Basketball Team  (5th-8th)
SAA’s middle school Varsity and JV basketball teams compete against local schools. Students of any experience and skill level are welcome. 
Cross Country Team (5th-8th)
SAA’s middle school cross country Varsity and JV teams teams compete against local schools.  Students of any experience and skill level are welcome. 
Soccer Clinics (JK-3rd)
Our classic youth soccer program teaches the fundamentals of the sport in a fun, non-competitive, educational environment.

​Language & Culture
Certamen Team (6th-8th)
The Certamen Team gives students the opportunity to compete with schools in their region on topics related to Latin language, Greco-Roman mythology, history, and culture. 
Español Essentials (JK-8th)
Spanish immersion classes are taught by Excellerate Learning Academy, focusing on basic conversational Spanish and Spanish culture.
Hulusi Ensemble (3rd-8th)
Students learn to play the Hulusi, a traditional Chinese instrument from the Yunnan province of China. ​
Mandarin Class (JK-8th)
Students learn about Chinese culture through games, dress, and history. This class is for anyone who is excited to learn about the language and culture. 

Theatre & Music
Middle School Musical (5th-8th) 
Students participate in the annual musical production as a cast member, or pas part of the technical crew. Past productions include Lion King, Jr., Willy Wonka, Jr., and Beauty and the Beast, Jr. 
Middle School Play (5th-8th) 
Students may choose to participate in the annual drama  production as a cast member or as part of the technical crew. Past productions include The Enchanted Bookshop, Seusspeare: Hamlet, and The Birds. 
Private Music/Voice Lessons (JK-8th) 
Students can elect private piano, flute, saxophone, violin, viola, and voice lessons from individual instructors. ​

Leadership
Community Problem Solvers (5th-8th)
Students learn powerful lessons about creating change,  dealing with local authorities and organizations, and making a positive impact on real problems in the community. 
National Junior Honor Society (7th-8th) 
Members are inducted into this international student organization for excellence in scholarship, service, and citizenship. 
Positive Learning Environment Student Task Force (4th-8th) 
Student members promote positive activities amongst the SAA student body. 
Student Advisory Board (5th-8th)
Middle school members share their perspective on school issues with the school's leadership.
Student Council (5th-8th)
Our student leadership program promotes service at both SAA and within our local community. 
Student Library Assistants Board (5th-8th)
Members recommend and implement improvements to the school's library program. 
Math
​3rd-4th Grade Math Club 
This club is for students who love math and want more challenge, or for those who want to improve their problem-solving skills. Members participate in the monthly  Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School Students (MOEMS) meets. 
K-2nd Grade Math Club 
Members enjoy enrichment-based math activities to complement the school day curriculum. 
Mental Math Abacus Training & Speed Math (K-8th) 
Members learn the Mental Math - Abacus Training method (MMAT), an innovative approach to math taught by an experienced mathematician. 
Middle School Math Club (4th-8th) 
The Middle School Math Club is a welcoming environment for those students who love math. Members work on fun activities during the year and participate in both the MOEMS and Purple Comet Math Meet, along with the Middle School Math Team. 
Middle School Math Team (5th-8th) 
The Varsity and JV Math teams prepare for and compete in several math contests and meets. 
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Science
Elementary Science Olympiad (3rd-4th)
A standards-based STEM program and segue into the middle school division that incorporates hands-on activities combined with traditional learning methods. ESO makes an excellent segue for students who decide to pursue the middle school division of Science Olympiad.
Girls Excelling in Math & Science (1st-3rd girls) 
Members of this science, math, and engineering club for girls build, create, problem solve and experiment, with a focus on science, math and engineering.
Science Enrichment Program (JK-1st)
Mad Science encourages scientific literacy in children in age when science is as vital as reading, writing, and arithmetic through unique, hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational.
Science Olympiad (5th-8th)
Members participate in rigorous, standard-based science challenges across an array of STEM disciplines. Students compete on teams in various events in several competitions  throughout the year.
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Strategy & Additional Enrichment
Chess Club (1st-8th ) 
SAA’s Chess Club members meet regularly to improve their chess skills and learn from others. 
Chess Enrichment Program (1st-8th) 
CHESS-ED provides a professional chess program that is fun, exciting and dynamic, providing the novice, the continuing student, and the advanced player with chess knowledge that will move each of them to a new level of expertise. 
Cooking Classes (JK-3rd ) 
Our professional chef instructors from Sticky Fingers Cooking guide kid chefs by providing safe, entertaining, hands-on learning throughout the class.
Dungeons & Dragons (6th-8th)
D & D offers students a fantastic world filled with strategy, promoting collaboration and student creativity.  
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​Scouting
Cub Scouts (K-5th)
On the Cub Scout advancement trail, a child progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as they go. Cub Scouting is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to promote character development, citizenship training, personal fitness, and leadership.
Girl Scouts (K-7th)
Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors have fun while developing leadership skills and participating in service learning projects that benefit the school, community, and world.