What is ACE?
St. Peter’s Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (“ACE”) Program features after-school activities that provide an enriched educational environment to support the development of the “whole child.” It offers students additional opportunities for learning, exploring, and utilizing their gifts.
ACE offers a diverse selection of after-school classes for students in Preschool through 8th grade. Instruction is led by partnering organizations and professional staff who are pre-screened by St. Peter and hired for their expertise in the selected course curriculum. There are three ACE sessions throughout the year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Classes are typically held once a week immediately after class dismissal for one hour over the course of 8 weeks (Fall and Winter) or 6 weeks (Spring).
WINTER 2025 CLASSES
Classes run from November 10th to January 29th. Classes will pause from 12/15-1/9. Refunds will not be given after 11/7. Please log into your Skyward account to register for classes, there you will find the ACE registration tile.
STICKY FINGERS COOKING
Let your children release their inner masterchef! We’re whipping up some fresh and tasty content for your budding kid chef this season by focusing on 3 super fun COOL-inary themes in our after-school cooking class sessions: ***All classes are vegetarian and 100% nut-free, plus we will accommodate any and all food allergies.***
BOOM WHACKERS
Music comes alive with this multisensory music program!
Using colorful, tonal tubes called Boomwhackers®, students experience the joys of combining music and movement. Boomwhackers® are lightweight, color-coded tubes, tuned to a musical pitch by their length. When “whacked,” these hollow plastic tubes produce a unique “boom” sound, which when played in a group, creates dynamic and interesting music. Over the course of this program, students build a foundational understanding and appreciation of music while playing memorable tunes and bonding together.
BITTY HIP-HOP
Under the creative direction of skilled Chicago Loves Dance instructors, students will learn choreography to newest pop/dance songs, show off their creativity in free-style choreography sessions and more. Chicago Loves Dance runs on the philosophy that dance should open your child’s creative abilities and be FUN! We pride ourselves on teaching the self-esteem and socialization needed in everyday life through the activity of dance and performance. The last day of the class will be a parent watch day where they will do a short performance to show off their new talents.
CHEER/POMS
Under the direction of Chicago Loves Dance instructors, Students will learn cheers as well as poms choreography weekly in this upbeat class. They will learn 3-4 new cheers weekly, work on form, as well as add on to their poms dance routine. The last day of the class will be a parent watch day where they will do a short performance the last 20min of class to show off their new moves.
LITTLE DOUGH NUTS
Engineer Dough Creations through interactive lessons!
This course introduces students to the wonderful world of dough as a tool to expand their academic knowledge and build fine motor skills. Through guided hands-on instruction, students use their imagination to plan, construct, and build their own creations. The lessons use dough as a medium for students to explore math, zoology, and art concepts in a unique setting. The course culminates in a final chemistry engineering project where they design and create a personalized model to keep.
BOOK CLUB
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Do you think words have power?
Can you invent a word that changes the world?
Join us as we dive into the hilarious and inspiring story of Nick Allen, a clever fifth-grader who turns the word “pen” into something brand new: FRINDLE!
Please have your students bring their own copy of the book to class.
BROADWAY MINIS/ JUNIORS
Our veteran theater instructor Mary Geraci is back! Performers will expand their imaginations to create different characters and worlds. Through acting games, storybooks, scenes, songs and dance, they will learn the art of performing in front of and with others in an inclusive and safe environment. Each week we will touch on a different story or musical aspect of the performing arts. Returning students will expand on their creativity and will be introduced to different stories and musicals. Families will be invited to a short performance on the last day of class.
JELLYBEAN SPORTS
(No class on 1/7 & 1/8)
Keep your early learner active and confident! Jelly Bean Sports teaches playground skills in a fun, non-competitive setting for ages 2 and up. Each week features a new sport, creative tools, and playful learning that builds listening, communication, and thinking skills. We even sneak in preschool basics—numbers, letters, and colors—through hands-on fun with bubbles, parachutes, and more!
CLAY CREATIONS
Hi Art Friends, Hope you can join us for 8 weeks of fun clay, animal sculpting projects! We will look at different animals from several continents
as we learn about where they live, and how to draw them. Then we will get the clay out and using really cool clay sculpting techniques and tools, we will create and then paint them. Who does not love to have several 3D animal sculptures to enjoy after our time creating together!
ROCK N' KIDS
Maracas, clackers, tambourines, and tons of fun! Rock ’n’ Kids brings its “Kid Rock” program to St. Peter this winter—an active, music-based class filled with songs, movement, rhythm instruments, and sensory play. Led by the energetic Ms. Mari, who’s been rockin’ with kids for 23 years, this program builds coordination, listening, and imagination skills. Join the fun—sing, dance, learn, and play the Rock ’n’ Kids way!
Learn more at www.rockitkids.com.
PODCASTING
Nexplore Podcasting empowers students to discover their voice and share what’s exciting to them. In this course, an experienced instructor guides them through the fundamentals that define the podcasting medium like using audio equipment, podcast types, and how different sounds affect the listener. Then, they’ll plan, record, edit, and publish their own podcast with its own structure and theme. Students walk away with stronger communication and technological skills plus a fantastic podcast that shows off their style and abilities.
INQUISITIVE MINDS
This is an enrichment class that focuses each week on a different fascinating topic. We will immerse ourselves into subjects ranging from engineering to rain forests and from dinosaurs to manners. A mix of hands-on, visual, and sensory aids will be used to explore each subject. Lots of fun activities and crafts will be completed during class that your child will be excited to bring home and share with you.
iSTEAM "Secret Agent Academy"
Welcome to Secret Agent Academy! This is a STE(A)M-focused after school class with a spy-themed curriculum. The class will include a range of hands-on activities and challenges that will encourage students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They will learn about the science of encryption and code-breaking, as well as the psychology of distraction and memory. Students will also explore the world of forensic science, analyzing fingerprints, chemical reactions, and other evidence to solve mysteries. Led by experienced instructors, students will work collaboratively and have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a final mission. The class aims to excite and inspire students about STE(A)M and encourage further studies in science and technology.
MONDAY
Sticky Fingers
(PS-K): $165 2:55-3:55 pm
Boom Whackers
(K-2nd) $180 3:05-4:05 pm
Bitty Hip-Hop
(PS): $120 2:45-3:30 pm
TUESDAY
Sticky Fingers Cooking
(PS-K): $205 2:55-3:55
Book Club: Frindle
(3-5): $110 3:05-3:45 pm
Little Dough Nuts
(PS-K): $180 2:55-3:55 pm
Cheer/Poms
(1-5): $135 3:05-4:05 pm
WEDNESDAY
Jellybean Sports
(PS): $155 2:45-3:30 pm
Broadway Minis
(PS-K): $135 2:55-3:55 pm
Clay Creations
(1-5): $135 3:05-4:05 pm
Rock 'N Kids
(PS2's): $110 2:40-3:20 pm
THURSDAY
Jellybean Sports
(PS2's): $155 2:35-3:10 pm
Podcasting
(5-8): $190 3:05-4:05 pm
Inquisitive Minds
(PS-K): $170 2:55-3:55 pm
ISteam - "Secret Agent Academy"
(K-4): $190 3:05-4:05 pm
