At The Crenshaw Academy, we believe that a complete education extends beyond traditional academics. Our private school programs include a diverse range of extracurricular activities and after school programs designed to develop well-rounded students who excel not only in the classroom but in all aspects of life.
Located in Orange County, Florida, The Crenshaw Academy offers students from kindergarten through 12th grade opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build meaningful relationships through carefully designed activities. From our partnership with D2 Futsal to our student-led organizations and community service initiatives, our programs provide the perfect complement to our rigorous academic curriculum.
The Value of Extracurricular Activities
Research consistently demonstrates that participation in quality extracurricular activities provides significant benefits for students:
- Academic enhancement: Students involved in extracurricular programs often demonstrate improved academic performance
- Character development: Activities beyond the classroom build perseverance, teamwork, and leadership
- Skill diversification: Students develop abilities not typically addressed in traditional academics
- Social connection: Extracurricular participation creates meaningful peer relationships around shared interests
- College readiness: Universities increasingly value well-rounded applicants with diverse experiences
- Mental and physical well-being: Structured activities promote healthy development and stress management
At The Crenshaw Academy, we've designed our offerings to maximize these benefits while providing enjoyable, engaging experiences for students of all ages and interests.
Sports Programs: Building Athletic Excellence
D2 Futsal Partnership
The Crenshaw Academy has partnered with D2 Futsal to provide exceptional physical education and soccer training for our students. This signature program includes:
- Physical Education Classes: Professional coaches provide structured PE for all grade levels
- Elementary students participate 5 times weekly
- Middle school students engage daily
- Focus on fundamental movement skills and age-appropriate development
- After School Soccer Program:
- Available Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4pm throughout the school year
- Professional coaching from D2 Futsal staff
- Flexible enrollment options (one or two days per week)
- Development of technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness
- Age-appropriate training methods for all skill levels
Our D2 Futsal program has received enthusiastic reviews from students and parents alike, with students noting how much they enjoy the professional coaching and engaging activities.
Additional Athletic Opportunities
Beyond our D2 Futsal program, The Crenshaw Academy offers various athletic options to meet diverse student interests:
- Intramural sports: Recreational competitions within our school community
- Physical fitness programs: Activities focused on health and wellness
- Skill development clinics: Specialized training in various sports fundamentals
These programs ensure that all students, regardless of competitive interests or athletic backgrounds, have opportunities to enjoy physical activity and develop healthy habits for life.
Student Organizations and Clubs
The Crenshaw Academy offers a wide variety of student organizations that allow students to explore interests, develop skills, and build community around shared passions.
Academic Clubs
Our academic clubs extend learning beyond the classroom in engaging ways:
- Science Club: Hands-on experiments and science competitions
- Math Team: Problem-solving challenges and mathematics competitions
- Debate Team: Developing persuasive speaking and critical thinking
- Chess Club: Strategic thinking and friendly competition
- Coding Club: Computer programming and digital creation
- Language Clubs: Cultural and linguistic exploration
These clubs allow students to deepen their understanding of academic subjects while applying knowledge in practical, engaging contexts outside the traditional classroom.
Arts Organizations
The arts thrive at The Crenshaw Academy through dedicated organizations:
- Drama Club: Theater production and performance skills
- Art Club: Visual arts exploration across multiple media
- Music Ensembles: Instrumental and vocal performance groups
- Literary Magazine: Student publication featuring creative writing and art
- Photography Club: Visual storytelling through digital and traditional photography
- Film Club: Movie appreciation and production
These organizations nurture creativity and self-expression while teaching valuable collaboration skills and artistic techniques.
Leadership and Service Groups
Developing future leaders is central to our mission, supported by these organizations:
- Student Government: Representing student interests and organizing events
- Community Service Club: Coordinating volunteer opportunities
- Environmental Club: Campus sustainability and ecological awareness
- Peer Mentoring Program: Supporting younger students
- Ambassador Program: Representing the school to visitors and new families
These groups provide authentic leadership experiences while contributing to our school and broader community.
Special Interest Organizations
We support diverse student interests through a variety of special focus groups:
- Entrepreneurship Club: Business skills and startup development
- Robotics Team: Design, building, and programming challenges
- Model United Nations: International relations and diplomacy
- Culinary Club: Cooking skills and food exploration
- Gardening Club: Horticulture and sustainable growing practices
These organizations allow students to explore potential career interests while developing specialized skills and knowledge.
Community Service Initiatives
Service learning is an integral part of The Crenshaw Academy experience, helping students develop empathy, social responsibility, and leadership skills while making meaningful contributions to the community.
Structured Service Programs
Our community service initiatives are thoughtfully designed to provide meaningful experiences:
- Grade-Level Service Projects: Age-appropriate service activities aligned with curriculum
- School-Wide Service Days: Community-focused events involving all students and faculty
- Ongoing Service Partnerships: Sustained relationships with community organizations
- Student-Led Service Initiatives: Projects designed and implemented by student leaders
- Service Learning Curriculum: Integration of service experiences with academic reflection
These structured programs ensure that service is not just an activity but a learning experience that develops important values and skills.
Service Focus Areas
The Crenshaw Academy's service initiatives address various community needs:
- Environmental Stewardship: Conservation, cleanup, and sustainability projects
- Food Security: Supporting local food banks and nutrition programs
- Educational Support: Tutoring and mentoring in underserved communities
- Senior Citizen Engagement: Intergenerational programs and assistance
- Animal Welfare: Supporting local shelters and wildlife conservation
These diverse focus areas allow students to connect with causes that resonate with their personal interests and values.
Service Recognition
We celebrate students' commitment to service through:
- Service Hour Documentation: Tracking and recognizing student contributions
- Service Awards: Acknowledging exceptional service commitments
- Service Showcases: Highlighting the impact of student service initiatives
- Leadership Recognition: Celebrating students who lead service projects
- College Application Support: Helping students articulate the significance of their service experiences
This recognition reinforces the importance of community engagement while helping students understand the impact of their contributions.
After School Programs
The Crenshaw Academy offers structured after school programs that extend the learning day while accommodating parents' schedules:
Homework Support and Academic Enrichment
Our after school academic programs provide:
- Supervised homework time: Structured environment for assignment completion
- Teacher assistance: Support from qualified educators
- Subject-specific tutoring: Targeted help in challenging areas
- Advanced study groups: Collaboration on honors and advanced coursework
- Test preparation: Support for standardized testing and major assessments
These programs ensure that students receive the academic support they need while developing independent study habits.
Enrichment Activities
Beyond academic support, our after school programs include enrichment activities:
- STEM workshops: Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities
- Creative arts sessions: Visual arts, music, and performance opportunities
- Physical activities: Games and movement beyond regular PE classes
- Life skills development: Cooking, financial literacy, and practical skills
- Mindfulness and wellness: Stress management and healthy habit formation
These diverse activities provide a balanced after school experience that combines productivity with enjoyment.
Flexible Scheduling Options
We understand that families have different needs, so our after school programs offer:
- Daily attendance options: Flexibility to attend on specific days
- Extended hours: Programs running until 6:00 PM
- Drop-in availability: Accommodation for occasional needs (subject to space)
- Combination with extracurricular activities: Seamless transitions between programs
- Holiday and teacher workday coverage: Programs on many non-school days
This flexibility helps families find the right balance between structured activities and family time.
Seasonal and Special Programs
The Crenshaw Academy enhances our regular offerings with seasonal and special programs throughout the year:
Summer Programs
During summer months, we offer:
- Academic reinforcement: Preventing summer learning loss
- Enrichment camps: Focused exploration of specific interests
- Sports clinics: Athletic skill development
- Arts intensives: Immersive creative experiences
- STEM camps: Hands-on science and technology activities
These summer options help students maintain academic momentum while exploring interests in greater depth than the regular school year allows.
Special Events and Celebrations
Throughout the year, special events enhance our community experience:
- Seasonal celebrations: Community gatherings around major calendar milestones
- Academic showcases: Exhibitions of student learning and achievement
- Performing arts productions: Theater, music, and dance performances
- Cultural celebrations: Events honoring diverse traditions and perspectives
- Family engagement activities: Opportunities for parents to participate in school life
These events strengthen our community bonds while providing students with performance and presentation opportunities.
The Crenshaw Academy Difference
What sets The Crenshaw Academy's extracurricular activities apart from other programs:
Intentional Integration with Academics
Our private school programs are designed to complement and enhance the academic curriculum:
- Activities reinforce classroom concepts through practical application
- Skills developed in activities transfer to academic success
- Reflection practices help students recognize cross-contextual learning
This integration ensures that extracurricular activities enhance rather than compete with academic priorities.
Developmental Appropriateness
All programs are tailored to students' developmental stages:
- Lower School (K-5): Activities emphasize exploration, foundational skills, and structured fun
- Middle School (6-8): Programs address adolescent social development and emerging interests
- Upper School (9-12): Activities provide leadership opportunities and deeper skill development
This developmental approach ensures that students engage in activities suited to their abilities and interests at each stage.
Quality Professional Partnerships
The Crenshaw Academy partners with exceptional organizations like D2 Futsal to provide expert instruction:
- Professional coaches and instructors bring specialized expertise
- Current best practices inform program design and implementation
- Quality equipment and facilities support optimal experiences
- Connections to broader opportunities beyond our school
- Exposure to potential future pursuits and career paths
These partnerships enhance the quality of our offerings while connecting students to the broader community of practitioners in various fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do students balance academics and extracurricular activities?
The Crenshaw Academy helps students find appropriate balance through:
- Guidance from an advisor who monitors overall student commitments
- Scheduling that accommodates both academic and extracurricular priorities
- Emphasis on quality engagement rather than quantity of activities
- Regular communication between activity leaders and classroom teachers
This supportive approach helps students develop time management skills while enjoying the benefits of a well-rounded education.
Are there additional costs for extracurricular activities?
Many activities are included in tuition, while some specialized programs like D2 Futsal's after school soccer program have modest additional fees. The D2 Futsal program, for example, costs $100/month for one day per week or $180/month for two days per week, with a $35 registration fee that includes a shirt. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify to ensure all students can participate regardless of financial circumstances.
How do students join clubs and organizations?
Most clubs and organizations have open enrollment periods at the beginning of each semester. Some competitive groups may have tryouts or application processes. Students receive information about available activities and registration procedures through homeroom announcements, the school newsletter, and our parent/student portal. We encourage all students to explore different activities, especially in lower and middle school years.
Can parents get involved with extracurricular programs?
Yes! We welcome parent involvement through:
- Volunteer opportunities with various clubs and activities
- Coaching and activity leadership roles for qualified parents
- Support for special events and performances
- Sharing professional expertise related to specific activities
This involvement strengthens our community while providing valuable support for our programs.
Join The Crenshaw Academy Community
If you're seeking a private school in Orange County that truly values the whole child—academic, physical, creative, and social—we invite you to explore The Crenshaw Academy. Our commitment to exceptional extracurricular opportunities sets us apart and creates an educational experience that prepares students for balanced, successful lives.
To learn more about our programs or to schedule a campus visit, please contact our admissions team today. We look forward to showing you how The Crenshaw Academy can provide the comprehensive educational experience your child deserves.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs and admission process.
