Academics
Lower School | PreK–Gr. 5

After School Programs

Shipley Lower School offers two distinct after school programs: Encore Clubs and Later Gator. 
 
Encore Clubs offer opportunities for learning and discovering new passions beyond the typical school day. A rich array of developmentally-appropriate clubs is offered to students in preschool through Grade 5. 

Later Gator aftercare program provides a safe setting where students can play, do homework, and spend time with friends under the supervision of a caring staff.
Later Gator provides a safe setting where students can play, do homework, and spend time with friends under the supervision of a caring staff. On In-Service and Conference Days, Later Gator will be offered from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Later Gator offers advanced registration or drop-in service, and students can join Later Gator after attending an Encore Club. 

Sample Schedule
3:00-3:15 pm Snack
3:15-4:30 pm Outdoor Play/Gym 
4:30-5:00 pm Homework/Quiet Activities
5:00-5:15 pm Snack
5:15-5:50 pm Arts & Crafts, Games, Puzzles

List of 7 items.

  • Cost

    • Drop-In Service - $13/hr, one-hour minimum
    • Year - $3,600
    • Semester - $1,800
    • Month - $475
    Shipley also offers childcare on Conference and In-Service Days, as well as during Early Dismissal PD Fridays. 
    • Conference Days/In Service Days - $68.25
    • Early Dismissal Half Day Care (Until 3:00 pm) - $15/1 child, $20/2+ children

  • Hours

    All Regular School Days, 3:00 – 5:50 pm

    In-Service & Conference Days , 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

    Early Dismissal PD Fridays, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
    (Regular Later Gator Aftercare is available from 3:00 - 5:50 pm)

  • Drop-In Service

    Children may use our drop-in service on any given day. Families are responsible for paying on the same day that they use Later Gator.

  • How to Enroll

    If you wish to enroll your child in Later Gator for the full year, semester or a full month, please fill out the registration form. A completed form is required before your child can attend.

  • Attendance

    Attendance is taken daily at Later Gator between 3:00 and 3:10 pm, verifying changes such as absences and drop-ins. For safety reasons, children must be signed out when they are picked up. If there are any changes in pick-up or attendance, please notify the Lower School office at 610-527-6851.

  • Conduct

    Later Gator and the Encore Clubs are an extension of the Shipley Lower School. Therefore, students are expected to conduct themselves as they would during the regular school day. In addition to rules for safety and following directions, our primary expectation is for the children to treat others the way they want to be treated. Children who cannot follow these rules or who have other disciplinary issues may be restricted from participating in Later Gator and the Encore Clubs.

  • Late Pick-Up Policy

    Once the program ends at 5:50 pm, a 10-minute grace period is allowed, during which time no late fee is applied. After 6:00 pm, late fees apply and should be paid to the attending teacher at the time of pick-up. The charge is $30 for the first fifteen-minute interval (up to 6:15 pm). A $50 charge will be applied for pickups later than 6:15 pm, with no exceptions.
Encore Clubs offer opportunities for learning and discovering new passions beyond the typical school day. A rich array of developmentally appropriate clubs is offered to students in preschool through Grade 5. Clubs meet weekly and are offered Monday-Friday. Students are picked up from classrooms and provided a snack before clubs begin. There are three sessions during the year, fall, winter, and spring.

Time: Clubs run from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

Cost: The registration fee for all clubs is $200 per session. Please see the registration form for specific pricing information. (Cost for clubs meeting fewer than 8 times will be prorated.)

Cancellation Policy: 
  • If a family drops a club after the first day (one week), they will be charged for the one day attended.
  • If a family drops a club after the second session (two weeks), they will be charged for the two days attended, plus a drop fee of $50.
  • If a family drops after the fourth day (four weeks), they will be charged for the full session.

Spring 2026 Encore Clubs

List of 6 items.

  • Schedule

    Spring 2026 Encore Club Schedule
    *8 weeks total
    Monday
    Tuesday
    Wednesday
    Thursday
    Friday*
    3/9
    3/10
    3/11
    3/12
    3/13
    3/16
    3/17
    3/18
    3/19
    Early Dismissal
    3/23
    3/24
    3/25
    Spring Break Begins at Dismissal
    Spring Break
    4/6
    4/7
    4/8
    4/9
    4/10
    4/13
    4/14
    4/15
    4/16
    Early
    Dismissal
    4/20
    4/21
    4/22
    4/23
    4/24
    4/27
    4/28
    4/29
    4/20
    5/1
    5/4
    5/5
    5/6
    5/7
    5/8
    5/11
    5/12
    5/13
    5/14
    5/15
    Over
    Over
    Over
    5/21
    5/22
    Over
    Over
    Over
    Over
    5/29

  • Mondays

    Bollywood Dance (Grades K-5, MAX 13) Ms. Walecha
    This club will be a fun and energetic way for students to explore dance while learning about Indian culture, meditation, and India's geography. 

    Comic Drawing Club (Grades 2-5, MAX 14) Ms. Clinkscales 
    Do you enjoy laughter and storytelling? Join the comic drawing club to explore the art of visual storytelling. Be inspired by topics such as surrealism and illustration and create your own series of comics!

    Hygge Hangout Goes Outdoors (Grades PreK-5, MAX 24) Ms. Raab-Snyder & Ms. Grillo
    Have you ever wanted to start your own garden? Join us to plant and tend our Lower School garden. We will design and plan for 5 raised beds, start seeds, grow our own edible plants and flowers, and help green the school. You will start plants to take home, plant at school, and keep the Hygge vibe going with Fairy Gardens, Mud Pies, and plant-based, hands-on nature crafts. You will tend the strawberry patches and learn which plants grow best in spring. Come get some dirt under your nails!

    Quest Club (Grades 4-5, MAX 6) Mr. Kennedy 
    Learn how to build stories and solve problems using the Hero Kids Role Playing Game. Students will take on the role of characters and narrators in a fantasy adventure! Will they protect their village, find hidden treasures, or solve mysteries? Students will work together to meet challenges and create stories in an age-appropriate setting.

    Seasonal Crafts, Nature Walks, and Snacks (Grades 1-4, MAX 13) Ms. Marcee
    The projects will be tied to the four seasons. Students will create winter paper snowflakes, spring flower crowns, summer ocean collages, and more! This will be paired with simple, nut-free snacks such as fruit with yogurt dip, veggie sticks with ranch dressing, cheese and crackers, and more! Other allergies will be taken into consideration as well. 

    Soccer Stars (Grades PreK-K, MAX 16)
    Soccer Stars Pre-K supports the development of the whole child through joyful, movement-based learning. In a nurturing and inclusive environment, children explore soccer through imaginative play, collaboration, and age-appropriate skill building. Each week features a new theme and focused lesson that encourages creativity, confidence, coordination, and social-emotional growth. Classes emphasize teamwork, listening, and a love of movement—no prior soccer experience needed.

  • Tuesdays

    Capoeira (Grades 2-5, MAX 20) Nexplore USA
    Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of acrobatics, music, dance, combat, and ritual. During each Capoeira session, students will learn martial arts techniques, discover acrobatics, play musical instruments, and explore different cultures. Capoeira improves coordination and enhances concentration, promoting self-confidence, an active lifestyle, and healthy habits. This elegant and dynamic approach to fitness makes Capoeira a martial art like no other!

    Girls Lacrosse Junior Gator Club (Grades 2-5, MAX 20) Coach Whelan
    This club will focus on fundamental skills like cradling, passing, catching, shooting, and ground ball pick-ups. This program will feature FUN high-energy, age-appropriate drills and smaller-sided games to build confidence. The girls will be divided up by skill level; beginners are welcome to play. Coach Whelan will provide a stick and goggles, but you must purchase a mouthguard. The club will be coached by Coach Whelan, along with Middle School lacrosse players.

    Recycled Fashion Club (Grades 2-5, MAX  14) Ms. Clinkscales
    Students will explore, discuss, and practice various art-making techniques to create wearable art using recycled materials. From bags, hats, clothing, and more, each project will involve creative problem-solving and exploration with sustainable and recycled fashion practices.

    Spring into STEM using LEGO Materials (Grades K-2, MAX 14) Play-Well TEKnologies
    Celebrate the coming of Spring with Play-Well and tens of thousands of LEGO parts! Build chirping birds, design blossoming flowers, and take a ride on a paddle boat. Design and build as never before and explore your craziest ideas.

    Weird Science (Grades PreK-2, MAX 14) VineyardAppCamp
    Have you ever wanted to be a scientist? Or to increase your understanding of the natural world? Well, you’re in luck! In this class, we’ll be learning about physics and the natural world through fun, easy science experiments. We’ll learn about states of matter, the animal and plant kingdoms, and how things we interact with in our everyday lives really work. This is the perfect club if you love science or engineering, or just want to get a little messy after school.

  • Wednesdays

    Basketball Club - The Unrivaled Jr League (Grades 3-5, MAX 16) Ms. Fortune
    This is a 3-on-3 clinic! The first two meetings will serve as practices and will focus on fundamental skill assessment and basic 3-on-3 strategy. Games will be held in seven-minute intervals.
     
    Sports Card Club (Grades 2-5, MAX 18) Mr. Wareikis
    Join Shipley’s sports card trading club! Come share some of your sports card collections and have fun trading. The club will include tips for trading, how to look up valuable cards with a database, organization and overall care, the different types of grading services, and a whole bunch more! While our focus will mainly be with sports cards, trading card games similar to ‘Magic’ and Pokemon’ will be an option if there is enough interest.

    Puzzle Makers (Grades K-5, MAX 13) Ms. Marcee
    This club is designed for students who enjoy putting puzzles together. Feel free to bring in a puzzle you never got to complete at home. We will glue the puzzles together with Mod Podge once complete.

    Spanish Games (Grades 1-5, MAX 13) Dra. Malavé
    Looking for a fun and meaningful way to strengthen Spanish skills after school? Spanish Games is an engaging language enrichment club where students build confidence in Spanish through storytelling, reading, and hands-on play—all completely en español. Students will explore Spanish through books and interactive storytelling, then bring the language to life by learning and playing traditional games such as lotería, dominoes, card games, and more. These classic table games encourage conversation, listening, and problem-solving while making language learning feel natural and exciting.

    Sewing and Crafts (Grades 2-5, MAX 14): Ms. Leschinsky
    A typical afternoon in Sewing Club consists of a lot of sewing and a lot of fun! We will learn how to hand sew and then apply what we’ve learned to make fabulous projects.

  • Thursdays

    Henna Club (Grades K-5, MAX 13) Ms. Walecha
    Come enjoy the calming process of drawing intricate patterns and discover the beauty of this ancient art form. Whether you are a beginner or simply love art, this class is a fun and hands-on way to express your creativity.

    Knights, Captures, Action! (Grades K-5, MAX 16) Shining Knights Chess
    Whether you are new to the game, learning to push pawns for the first time, or have played in numerous tournaments and want to sharpen your skills, come to a Shining Knights Chess Club! We have trained numerous state champions and national trophy winners. We have trained even more kids to enjoy the game that they can spend hours playing with friends and family. So, whether you want to win games in your living room against parents or win tournaments in other states, come join us and learn how to play chess or play better chess!

    Mini Nail Design Club (Grades 4-5, MAX 13) Dra. Malavé
    This is a fun, hands-on after-school club for 4th- and 5th-grade students who enjoy art, creativity, and self-expression through design. Students will practice nail art techniques using individual nail wheels, learning how to paint, create patterns, and design unique styles. As the club progresses, students will design their own sets of nails, building skills and confidence each week. In the final weeks, students will showcase their creativity by displaying their completed nail designs using the techniques they have practiced. Throughout the club, students will have opportunities to leave each session with their nails painted, either by themselves, a classmate, or the instructor, based on comfort level and permissions. 

    ** Important Permission Information**
    • If a student is not allowed glue fake nails onto their own nails, parents must provide a written note stating that preference.
    • Students without permission to glue nails will still fully participate by practicing designs and painting nails without application.
    Spring into STEM Challenge using LEGO® Materials (Grades 2-5, MAX 14) Play-Well TEKnologies
    Spring is here! Spring into STEM with Play-Well and tens of thousands of LEGO parts. Play baseball in spring training, visit the Cherry Blossom festival, and explore raging waterfalls. Apply real-world mechanical engineering concepts as you design, build, and explore your craziest ideas.

    Young Rembrandts (Grades PreK-5, MAX 16)
    Keep your young artist engaged during the winter months! Our creative drawing club returns to Shipley with all-new lessons every week! A realistic birdhouse, cute penguins, and our own version of Grant Wood’s American Gothic are planned for this session. Students of all abilities are welcome in our club—no experience needed. Our step-by-step teaching method ensures that all young artists can follow along and go home with a drawing that is 100% their product, from the first stroke of pencil to the last colored detail. All new lessons are taught every week, every session—no projects are repeated. Claim your spot now!

  • Fridays

    Basketball (Grades K-2, MAX 14) Ms. Fortune
    We will work on the fundamentals of basketball, from dribbling and passing to stretching and footwork. While the focus will be on fundamentals, students will be able to play short 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 games in the last few weeks of the club.

    Bombardment (Grades 4-5, MAX 32) Ms. Early/Ms. Vengels

    Crafty Science (Grades PreK-2, MAX 16) VineyardAppCamp
    In each session, students will explore real scientific concepts through exciting experiments and creative projects designed just for young learners. From fizzy reactions and non-toxic slime to straw rockets and colorful neuron models, each session transforms big scientific ideas into hands-on, age-appropriate adventures. Using everyday materials, kids explore topics like static electricity, chemical reactions, and the five senses—all while building science-themed art they can be proud of. Designed for curious minds and crafty hands, this class helps children build confidence in asking questions, experimenting, and making connections to the world around them. It’s a playful, creative way to spark a lasting love of science—one fun project at a time!

    Mandarin (Grade K-5, MAX 14) Dr. Ding, Shipley MS & US Mandarin Teacher
    This fun-based after-school program introduces students to basic Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture through hands-on activities. Children will learn simple words and phrases while enjoying songs, crafts, games, storytelling, and food-making activities inspired by Chinese traditions and holidays. No prior language experience is needed—just curiosity and enthusiasm!

Winter Clubs

List of 6 items.

  • Schedule

    MONDAY
    TUESDAY
    WEDNESAY
    THURSDAY
    FRIDAY
    12/8
    12/9
    12/10
    12/11
    Early Dismissal
    12/15
    12/16
    12/17
    12/18
    Winter Break Begins at Dismissal
    1/5
    1/6
    1/7
    1/8
    1/9
    1/12
    1/13
    1/14
    1/15
    Early Dismissal
    MLK Jr. Day
    1/20
    1/21
    1/22
    1/23
    1/26
    1/27
    1/28
    1/29
    1/30
    2/2
    2/3
    2/4
    2/5
    2/6
    2/9
    2/10
    2/11
    2/12
    2/13
    President’s Day
    In-Service Day
    2/18
    2/19
    2/20
    2/23
    2/24
    Over
    Over
    2/27
    3/2
    Over
    Over
    Over
    3/6
     

  • Mondays

    Crafts and Treats (Grades 2-5): Ms. Marcee
    This fall, our After School Club will be full of creativity and delicious fun! Students will enjoy tasty snacks like cupcakes, cookies, Rice Krispies Treats, and popcorn. Each session will also include a hands-on craft project that your child can proudly take home.

    Read with Me (Grades K-2): Ms. Sklow
    Highlight a different author each week by reading a story and learning about the author. A follow-up with verbal comprehension questions and a writing activity will also be done each week.

    Sculpture Lab (Grades 1-2, MAX 13): Ms. Clinkscales
    Students will explore, discuss, and practice sculpture techniques and styles to create three-dimensional works of art. From paper sculptures to clay creations and more, each project will involve observation, creative problem-solving, and design thinking. Students will also have opportunities to collaborate and learn more about art history and artist references.
     

  • Tuesdays

    Adventures in STEM using LEGO Materials (Grades K-2) Play-Well TEKnologies
    Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO parts! Build engineer-designed projects and use special pieces to create your own unique designs! Projects are rotated seasonally to ensure that both new and returning students can explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO building system.
     
    Sculpture Lab (Grades 3-5, MAX 14): Ms. Clinkscales
    Students will explore, discuss, and practice sculpture techniques and styles to create three-dimensional works of art. From plaster sculptures to cardboard creations and more, each project will involve observation, creative problem-solving, and design thinking. Students will also have opportunities to collaborate and learn more about art history and artist references.
     
    Work those Fingers! (Grades K-2): Ms. Leschinsky
    We will create and craft during the cold winter afternoons in the library. Crafts will include Rainbow Loom, Model Magic, Perler Beads, stickers, and lots of other fun ideas. 

  • Wednesdays

    The Clever Connector (Grades 2-5): Ms. Marcee
    This club is designed for students who enjoy putting puzzles together and solving logical and mystery puzzles. Feel free to bring in a puzzle you never got to complete at home. We will glue the puzzles together with Mod Podge once complete. 

    HYGGE HANGOUT (Grades PreK-5): Ms. Grillo and Ms. Raab Snyder
    Hygge (HOO-GAH) is the Danish practice of getting comfy and cozy, especially in the dark winter months. Join Ms. Raab-Synder and Ms. Grillo for nature-based crafts, activities, and winter-themed fun! We will put on the virtual fireplace, make winter crafts, and sip warm cider or cocoa for each club meetup. Some crafts to look forward to are bird feeders, fairy terrariums, finger crocheting, macrame, and much more. Come get cozy with us!
     
    Pequeños Músicos: Spanish Songs & Dance Adventures (Grades PreK-1, MAX 13): Dra. Malavé
    Focus: Spanish language enrichment through music and culture. ¡Pequeños Músicos! invites our youngest learners on a joyful journey through the sounds and rhythms of the Spanish-speaking world! Each week, children will explore the Spanish language through music, instruments, and dance. From lively salsa beats to playful songs and movement games, students will sing, play, and dance their way to a deeper appreciation of Latin culture. Through hands-on activities and repetition in Spanish, children will naturally build vocabulary, rhythm, and confidence, all while having fun with friends!
     
    Rowing Club (Grades 3-5): Coach Gavin-Wisniewski
    Rowing is a sport that brings people together like few other activities. In this Intro to Rowing Encore Club, students will learn the fundamentals of the sport in a fun, engaging, team environment. Our State-of-the-art indoor rowing center on the Upper School Campus provides a safe, indoor rowing facility for students to explore this wonderful sport. Parents and Caregivers must pick up students at the Upper School Campus at our facility adjacent to the parking garage and tennis courts at 4:15 pm. 

    Sewing and Crafts     (Grades 2-5, MAX 14): Ms. Leschinsky
    A typical afternoon in Sewing Club consists of a lot of sewing and a lot of fun! We will learn how to hand sew and then apply what we’ve learned to make fabulous projects.

  • Thursdays

    Knights, Captures, Action! (Grades K-5): Shining Knights Chess
    Whether you are new to the game, learning to push pawns for the first time, or have played in numerous tournaments and want to sharpen your skills, come to a Shining Knights Chess Club! We have trained numerous state champions and national trophy winners. We have trained even more kids to enjoy the game that they can spend hours playing with friends and family. So, whether you want to win games in your living room against parents or win tournaments in other states, come join us and learn how to play chess or play better chess!

    Henna Club (Grades K-5): Ms. Walecha
    Come enjoy the calming process of drawing intricate patterns and discover the beauty of this ancient art form. Whether you are a beginner or simply love art, this class is a fun and hands-on way to express your creativity. 

    STEM FUNdamentals using LEGO® Materials (Grades 1-5): Play-Well TEKnologies
    Level up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects. Projects are rotated seasonally to ensure that even returning students get a new experience, so join us to design and build as never before and explore your craziest ideas.

    Young Rembrandts     (Grades PreK-5)
    Keep your young artist engaged during the winter months! Our creative drawing club returns to Shipley with all-new lessons every week! A realistic bird house, cute penguins, and our own version of Grant Wood’s American Gothic are planned for this session. Students of all abilities are welcome in our club—no experience needed. Our step-by-step teaching method ensures that all young artists can follow along and go home with a drawing that is 100% their product, from the first stroke of pencil to the last colored detail. All new lessons are taught every week, every session—no projects are repeated. Claim your spot now!

  • Fridays

    Crafty Science (Grades PreK-2): Vineyardappcamp
    In each session, students will explore real scientific concepts through exciting experiments and creative projects designed just for young learners. From fizzy reactions and non-toxic slime to straw rockets and colorful neuron models, each session transforms big scientific ideas into hands-on, age-appropriate adventures. Using everyday materials, kids explore topics like static electricity, chemical reactions, and the five senses—all while building science-themed art they can be proud of. Designed for curious minds and crafty hands, this class helps children build confidence in asking questions, experimenting, and making connections to the world around them. It’s a playful, creative way to spark a lasting love of science—one fun project at a time!

    Sports Cards (Grades 3-5): Lukas Farrell ’25 with Mr. Wareikis assisting
    Come share some of your sports card collection and have fun trading! Sports card club lessons will cover topics such as understanding card types, the importance of card grading, how to identify mint-condition cards, buying and selling strategies, and so much more.  
814 Yarrow Street
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Phone: 610-525-4300
Fax: 610-525-5082
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.