Our teachers, coaches, and parent volunteers support extracurricular activities because these help students explore career interests, develop new talents and skills, and make friends. Students who represent their school out in the community gain leadership experience and strengthen school pride.

Maryland Avenue Montessori School’s annual extracurricular activities are listed below. Programs are subject to change, as necessary, due to student interest and volunteer availability. Students from K5 to eighth grade can participate in clubs.

Keep an eye on the Weekly E for sign-up details, participation ages, and calls for coaches and volunteers.

Battle of the Books

A reading-comprehension competition for fourth graders district-wide, Battle of the Books invites students to test their knowledge of assigned fiction and nonfiction books on diverse topics. Reading, reviewing, and practicing with teammates from November to January prepares students for the “Family Feud”-style district competition in early spring.

Book Clubs

Children can join existing book clubs or even start one of their own to share a favorite book and bond through literature in school-day or after-school discussion groups.

Chess

More than 100 Maryland students from K5 through eighth grade learn chess and compete from novice to advanced levels during weekday practices and occasional weekend tournaments. Maryland Avenue hosts an annual February tournament. Coaches include parents and professional instructors.

District Spelling Bee

A t-r-a-d-i-t-i-o-n beloved by word enthusiasts and their families nationwide, Maryland scholars in fifth through eighth grades practice together and compete against one another. Maryland’s top spellers advance to district finals, joining peers from nearly 30 MPS sites.

Forensics

Sixth through eighth-grade students research, write, and perform creative speeches or stories for district-wide and state-wide festivals and tournaments. Forensics participation prepares students for “a lifetime of effective participation in a democratic society” as they develop strong presentation and research skills, and grow as public speakers, solo performers, and teammates.

Futura Spanish

Since 2001, Futura Language Professionals has been a pioneer in Spanish enrichment programming. Fee-based after-school classes provide an unparalleled, convenient, and affordable way to get a jump start on your child’s Spanish-language education in a fun, age-appropriate manner. Scholarships for Maryland students are available by request.

Maryland Jaguars Athletics

Athletes from K5 through eighth grade can join teams coached by parents and other volunteers: Basketball, cross country, flag football, soccer, tennis, track, and volleyball.

Math Counts

This national nonprofit and its Maryland-school chapter believes in making learning math fun, and focuses on the middle-school years as a critical time to help students overcome a fear of math. Math Counts programs build problem solving skills and positive attitudes about math, so students embrace challenges and expand their academic and career opportunities in the future.

Yearbook

Writers and photographers in grades seven and eight chronicle and creatively present the school year, publishing and selling a paperback volume that Maryland families love to read and reminisce over.