Avenues New York Explorers

Grade 1

In Grade 1, students begin to take greater ownership of their learning as they build on foundational skills and explore new challenges. With growing independence and curiosity, they dive deeper into problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative expression. Activities are designed to nurture both academic growth and social-emotional development, while fostering confidence, resilience, and a love of discovery.

Specialty Classes begin directly after school and run until 4:30 p.m. (Extended care is available until 5:15 p.m. for an additional cost.)
Stay & Play, our after-care program, begins directly after school and runs until 5:15 p.m.
All classes include healthy snacks.

Registration is for the Fall season. To explore class options, please review the schedule below and use the drop-down menu for full details. Space is limited, and waitlists will be opened as programs reach capacity. All classes require a minimum number of students to run.

Important Dates – Fall 2025

Registration for the Fall season opens Wednesday, June 4, at noon!
Stay & Play: September 3 – December 19
All other programs: September 8 – December 19

Register Now

Ready to register? Select your student’s 2025–2026 grade level and click the green button below.

Program	Action
Grade 1 Class Registration	Register here
LD Stay and Play Registration	Register here

Want to learn more? Click on the class titles below for a drop-down description.

Monday

Adventures in Animation

Students will utilize a variety of materials to build props, characters, and fantastical mini-movie sets to feature in original stop-motion animation films. Experiment with combining live action with animation, as well as effects like drawing on each frame, and utilizing green screens and stock footage. Students will also learn to create their own sounds and special effects to add to their shorts as they work in post-production, finishing their animated shorts. By exploring various stop-motion and digital animation techniques, students will be able to create a multitude of 2D and 3D projects.

Chess Tactics (Grades 1-3)

Tactics are an integral part of chess and occur throughout all phases of the game. This dynamic class focuses on common tactics such as Pins, Forks, Skewers, Double Attacks, Deflections, Discovered Checks, and Mating attacks. Each week we prepare a variety of puzzles and chess brainteasers, so students of all playing levels will be challenged and engaged. This class encourages imaginative chess play, and is ideal for a student who has mastered piece movement and the basic rules, may have tournament experience and who enjoys working on puzzles and exercising creativity.

Tuesday

Robotics and Engineering

Our engineering & robotics students will be constantly building, designing and problem-solving using any materials they can get their hands on. Building challenges will bring structural engineering and physics concepts like friction or weight distribution into focus, while robotics projects will call for the mastery of mechanical engineering concepts like circuitry or conductivity. This course will foster students’ inquisitiveness through constant exposure to new materials and new tools, whether it’s practicing dynamic taping techniques, or learning how to use a power drill.

Cheerleading

Cheerleaders will work on energetic movements and chants as well as basic stunting and tumbling skills. By emphasizing teamwork, athleticism, and spirit, our team will learn and grow in cheerleading together. This class will familiarize our new cheerleaders with cheer vocabulary and set them up for a future of spirited success.

Wednesday

Build-a-Biz

Financial literacy is fundamentally one of the most important topics anyone can learn. What better way to be introduced to the basics than with your very own hot cocoa stand and small businesses? In the Fall, our young entrepreneurs will learn key marketing, sales and budgeting skills to create a hot cocoa stand where all proceeds go to a student-selected charity. From designing marketing flyers and estimating profits to experimenting with recipes, students have fun while developing entrepreneurial skills.

Pickleball

Students develop the key skills and knowledge needed to enjoy America’s fastest-growing sport. Each session focuses on serving, “dinking,” and forehand and backhand strokes, with an emphasis on learning how to play and score a competitive match. Through interactive games and drills, students build confidence while practicing sportsmanship, teamwork, and individual effort—all in a fun and supportive environment.

Thursday

Architecture, Engineering, and Math

What do Pythagoras, Vitruvius, Michelangelo, Leonardo have in common? They were all remarkable engineers, mathematicians, and inventors. In this course, students will learn to recognize complex mathematical patterns and creatively solve challenging real-world problems. Some topics we will cover include Design - Could the axle of the wheel be moved without compromising the wheel’s efficiency? Could you design your own building materials? Tension and compression - How can these forces help us design buildings?

Parkour

In this dynamic movement class, students continue to build strength, coordination, and confidence through small obstacles and movement games. They refine safe and efficient movement patterns while developing self-regulation, problem-solving, and social skills—all while having fun and making new friends. Progressions are carefully scaled to each child’s age and skill level, with partner activities and group games fostering a strong sense of community.

Friday

Painting and Drawing (Grades 1-3)

Explore a range of classic painting methods in this fun twist on traditional art techniques. Each week, we'll delve into a variety of mediums, such as charcoal, watercolors, colored pencils, acrylics, gouache, and more. Ideal for children eager to expand their knowledge of drawing and painting, this unique class will focus on traditional, and non-traditional, techniques, getting inspiration from old masters and contemporary artists such as Jim Dine, Hilma af Klint, Keith Haring and many more.

Program	Action
Grade 1 Class Registration	Express register
LD Stay and Play Registration	Express register