Programs and Classes

SAT Prep Course 

The SAT Prep Course, taught by Robert Marley and Katherine Schoppel, will prepare students to take the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT. Key math, reading and writing concepts will be reviewed. Students will learn about the structure of the test and valuable test-taking strategies. Students will be required to complete a number of practice exams during the two-month course. 

Class will be held Tuesday evenings at the Barrington Middle School, 7:00pm-9:00pm, February 6, 2024 through April 9, 2024. Class fee is $300.

For more information, and to register, on the SAT Prep Course, please click here! 

Backyard Astronomy With Pete Peterson

Have you ever looked up at the nighttime sky and wondered what it all means?  What is that bright star?  Is that really another planet?  In this “hands on” course, you will develop a better understanding of our universe and a familiarity with the night sky.  The emphasis is upon getting out under the stars and visually observing using a combination of naked eye, binoculars, and telescopes ranging from small to large professional systems.  Weather permitting, you will typically view satellites, constellations, planets and their moons, asteroids, a comet, stars and star clusters, nebula, distant galaxies, quasars and more. 

Pete Peterson, an experienced astronomer, teaches this course.  The class is designed for the adult beginner, and will be held at Wishing Star Observatory (www.peterson-web.com/wish) (tel: 401-458-8611) at 405 New Meadow Road in Barrington. 

This is a private observatory and due to COVID concerns Pete has limited class size to 8 fully vaccinated stargazers. Masks may be required.

Please check back for next class.

Pickleball

Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, much like a whiffle ball, over a net. Pickleball is played on a court that is about a third of the size of a tennis court. It has been described as the fastest growing sport in the nation. 

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College Essay Tutoring

This course takes students (current high school juniors) from the inception of the college essay through the final edit. The course begins with a discussion of an effective essay with specific focus on topic, tone, introduction, and narrative detail. Students will attend the first session with other members of the class. After this initial session, students will create their first draft and sign up for office hours with the instructor, Katherine Schoppel, who will spend the final two sessions with the individual student editing the product as needed. If time permits, Ms. Schoppel can work on any supplemental essays that many colleges require.

Ms. Schoppel is an English teacher with 23 years of experience teaching primarily juniors and seniors (the last 21 years have been at Barrington High School). She served as the team leader for the AP literature team before taking over the Academic Learning Center.

Check back for future classes.

Home Alone Safety Class

This class, a must for children 9 – 12 years of age, will help prepare your child to safely stay at home alone when necessary. It seeks to build confidence, independence and provide a toolbox of skills necessary to navigate various situations.

Topics include internet safety, telephone and fire safety, elements of first aid and steps to take in an emergency. Course material is presented in a relaxed and interactive format. Students will learn through role playing, games and acting out emergency situations.

Please check back for next class.

Badminton

For beginners and more experienced players alike, this co-ed class welcomes all skill levels. The play is spirited, but the emphasis is on fun and exercise, and not the final score. The program will provide some practice shuttlecocks (including some nylon shuttlecocks and feather shuttlecocks).

WINTER 2024  SESSION: This 15 week series begins January 18th and ends May 9th. (No class 2/22 and 4/17.) Thursdays, 6:30pm-9:00pm at the Barrington Middle School. Players must have their own rackets

Check back for registration. Registration will be available 12/14.

Volleyball

For beginners and more experienced players alike, this co-ed class welcomes all skill levels. The play is spirited, but the emphasis is on fun and exercise, and not the final score. Individual instruction is available on request.  

WINTER 2024 SESSION: This 15 week series begins January 17th and ends May 8th. Wednesday evenings 6:30pm-9:00pm at the Barrington Middle School. 

Check back for registration. Registration will be available 12/14.