Welcome
In our Community Education department, we continue to offer a mix of classes led by fantastic district teachers as well as community partners. We have listened to you, our customers, who have expressed interest in expanded after-school classes. You will see that we have a wide variety of classes offered throughout all of our elementary buildings, ranging from two-week sessions to the entire school year. We hope you find something engaging for your student!
As always, please feel free to contact our team. We welcome your feedback on how we can continue to grow Waukee Community Education to better serve our students, families, and community members.
Registration
Below you will find different categories of classes offered through Community Education. Click the header to see the different classes available and click the link to register.
If you have questions about any of the classes offered or how to register, please contact Community Education at communityed@waukeeschools.org or by calling 515.987.2761.
Estate Planning 101
Even everyday folks need an estate plan. A well-crafted estate plan saves your family undue grief and cost by ensuring your assets are distributed as you wanted. Whether your assets are worth thousands or hundreds of thousands, it’s important to protect everything you worked so hard to earn. Learn how to avoid unnecessary expenses and fees, how to reduce or eliminate taxes and how to maximize the transfer of your real estate, investments and personal belongings to your loved ones and/or charitable organizations. Taught by a financial advisor with additional support of an estate attorney.
Click HERE to register.
Cityscape Art Class for Adults (18+) NEW
Have you ever wanted to learn how to visually portray a city or a section of a city through art? In this fun, whimsical art class, students will discover how to draw a cityscape using modeling paste onto canvas. While using a variety of multimedia over two class sessions, students will take home their creation to display proudly in their home! No experience necessary. Just a willingness to learn and have fun. All supplies are provided.
Click HERE to register.
Retirement Planning 101
Afraid you can’t afford to retire? We will explore this question along with social security, Medicare, how to convert a 401(k) plan to an income stream you won’t outlive, ways to minimize your taxes in retirement, and options to help protect your investments from market fluctuation. This seminar is relevant to anyone who wants to become more empowered in today’s financial world. Course taught by a financial advisor with over 35 years of experience.
Click HERE to register for January 16.
Click HERE to register for January 30.
Genius Hour Essay Writing (Grades 6-7)
This course will incorporate student interest, motivation and real-world purpose with the development of essay organization and writing skills such as conventions, paraphrasing and sentence structure. In addition, non-fiction comprehension, finding important ideas and details, and researching content will be areas of focus. An optional project to accompany the essays will be discussed in class then completed outside of class if the student decides to complete such a component for our sharing day. This is an extremely engaging learning time, as students pick their topics and the passion behind the interest drives the purposeful learning experience in challenging areas of language arts. All student instruction in the course will be differentiated to meet the individual needs of the learners. Course taught by a Language Art Teacher with 10 years of experience from South Middle School.
Click HERE to register.
Start Smart with Study Skills (Grades 5-8)
Get ready to start the school year off right! The biggest hurdle to academic success after elementary school seems to be poor study skills. During these sessions, your child will be introduced to excellent strategies! Topics include: organization and time management (Jan. 22 or April 8); note-taking strategies (Jan 23 or April 9); test-taking strategies (Jan 24 or April 10); reading and study strategies (Jan 25 or April 11); learning styles and study habits (Jan 26 or April 12). Set your child up for success in middle school and high school! *Register for the entire week ($145) or individual days ($34 each).
Click HERE to register at South Middle School.
Click HERE to register at Timberline.
ACT Prep – English (Grades 9-12)
Instructor teaches high school English in Waukee. This class will focus on test taking strategies for the English portion of the ACT. We will review English concepts commonly found on the ACT and take and discuss several practice exams. Students need to bring an independent reading book to class. Students can purchase the 2023 workbook (Princeton Review ACT Prep, 2023: 6 Practice Tests + Content Review + Strategies) online through Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/059351632X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_QAW7QDGHRF8KJ0C4QYGB
The workbook also is used for the other review courses.
Click HERE to register.
ACT Prep – Math (Grades 9-12)
Instructor teaches high school math in Waukee. This class will focus on test-taking strategies for the math portion of the ACT. We will review math concepts commonly found on the ACT and take and discuss several practice exams. Students can purchase the 2023 workbook (Princeton Review ACT Prep, 2023: 6 Practice Tests + Content Review + Strategies) online through Amazon. The newest edition provides up to six full length practice tests consisting of retired ACT questions.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/059351632X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_QAW7QDGHRF8KJ0C4QYGB
The book also is used for the other review courses.
Click HERE to register for January 22, 29 & February 5.
Click HERE to register for March 25, 28 & April 4.
ACT Prep – Reading (Grades 9-12)
Instructor teaches high school English in Waukee. This class will focus on test taking strategies for the reading portion of the ACT. We will review reading concepts commonly found on the ACT and take and discuss several practice exams. Students need to bring an independent reading book to class. Students can purchase the 2023 workbook (Princeton Review ACT Prep, 2023: 6 Practice Tests + Content Review + Strategies) online through Amazon. The newest edition provides up to six full length practice tests consisting of retired ACT questions.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/059351632X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_QAW7QDGHRF8KJ0C4QYGB
The workbook also is used for the other review courses.
Click HERE to register.
ACT Prep – Science (Grades 9-12)
Instructor has a Master’s Degree in Education, experience in teaching ACT test preparation and high school science teaching experience for over twenty years in Waukee. This class will focus on test taking strategies for the science portion of the ACT. We will review science concepts commonly found on the science portion of the ACT: Charts and Graphs, Experiments and Conflicting Viewpoints. We will take and discuss several practice exams during this review. For this class, students ARE REQUIRED to purchase the 2023 workbook (Princeton Review ACT Prep, 2023: 6 Practice Tests + Content Review + Strategies) online through Amazon. The newest edition provides up to six full length practice tests consisting of retired ACT questions.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/059351632X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_QAW7QDGHRF8KJ0C4QYGB
The book is also used for the other review courses.
Click HERE to register.
PSAT/SAT Prep (Grades 9-12)
The Preliminary-SAT (PSAT) is essentially the same test as the SAT, without the essay component. Students who take the PSAT exam generally do so for one of two reasons: To compete for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship or to gain realistic practice for the SAT college admissions test. This test-preparation seminar provides students with highly effective tips and strategies to prepare them for success on the PSAT (as well as the SAT), regardless of their motivation for taking the exam. Students will take shortened practice tests, receive a study guide and practice-test workouts, reduce their test anxiety and gain confidence. All materials are included in the registration fee.
Click HERE to register.
Create Your Own Board Game (Grades 3-5)-5 weeks
Want to create your own board game? This after school opportunity is designed for you. Explore the basics of game design through group mini games, individual design time, and group lessons. Class focuses on fostering a designer-friendly environment that encourages students to try, fail, and fix on their journey of bringing their epic ideas to life in the form of a board game. Our goal is to help students take a step away from consumerism and instead step towards a lifelong journey of creating, making, and designing. Fee includes all materials needed to make board game prototypes. Students will be able to take home their board game creation from week to week to playtest and improve their games.
Click HERE to register at Eason.
Click HERE to register at Brookview.
Chess (Grades K-5)
New and returning students invited. Each Youth Enrichment League (YEL) Chess class follows four basic components: teaching, practicing, puzzles and playing the game. Students are taught different chess concepts and coached to implement those concepts into their chess games. Students practice positions set by the coach to improve their understanding of the concept. Students are given chess puzzles and work with coach guidance to solve them. Each class ends with students playing 20-30 minutes of chess. Coaches often feature in-class tournaments during the session. Registration fee includes: ChessKid.com membership for the chess session, prizes and puzzle sheets. Sign up today to think, learn and play well with YEL!
Session 2
January 8-February 19 (6 weeks) (no class 1/15)
$92
Session 3
March 18-May 13 (9 weeks)
$132
Mondays
Sugar Creek Elementary, STEM Lab
Session 2
January 8-February 19 (6 weeks) (no class 1/15)
$92
Session 3
March 18-May 13 (9 weeks)
$132
Tuesdays
Woodland Hills Elementary, Media Center
Session 2
January 9-February 20 (6 weeks) (no class 1/16)
$92
Session 3
March 19-May 14 (9 weeks)
$132
Tuesdays
Maple Grove Elementary, Media Center
Session 2
January 9-February 20 (6 weeks) (no class 1/16)
$92
Session 3
March 19-May 14 (9 weeks)
$132
Thursdays
Waukee Elementary, Media Center
Session 2
January 4-February 22 (8 weeks)
$119
Session 3
March 21-May 16 (9 weeks)
$132
Thursdays
Walnut Hills Elementary, Media Center
Session 2
January 4-February 22 (8 weeks)
$119
Session 3
March 21-May 16 (9 weeks)
$132
Fridays
Eason Elementary, Media Center
Session 2
January 5-February 16 (7 weeks)
$105
Session 3
March 22-May 17 (8 weeks) (no class 4/26)
$119
Fridays
Brookview Elementary, Media Center
Session 2
January 5-February 16 (7 weeks)
$105
Session 3
March 22-May 17 (8 weeks) (no class 4/26)
$119
Building Young Artists (Grades K-5)
In this fun art program, students will learn the basic concepts of drawing and painting three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional paper. These objects include basic shapes, cubes, spheres and cones. Eventually students will learn to draw and paint still life based on a step-by-step process. The class will help improve student’s patience, observation and creativity. Students will take home all of their masterpieces throughout the class. The instructor owns and teaches at the Sunflower Fine Art studio in Waukee, has received awards for her artwork, and has a degree in Art. Supply list available online.
Click HERE to register at Waukee Elementary.
Click HERE to register at Eason.
Click HERE to register at Shuler.
Click HERE to register at Sugar Creek.
Seasonal Art Classes by Kelley (Grades K-5)
Colorful Birds Art Class
Just in time for Spring! Using your child’s vivid imagination, they will be shown how to draw a variety of colorful birds. Then they will make a project on thick cardstock using primarily black marker and watercolors. Please have your students wear clothes that are OK for painting in. All supplies are provided.
Click HERE to register.
Dinosaurs Art Class (Grades 1-5)
Kids love dinosaurs! Using your child’s vivid imagination, they will be shown how to draw a variety of dinosaurs. Then they will make a project on thick cardstock using primarily black marker and watercolors. Please have your students wear clothes that are OK for painting in. All supplies are provided.
Click HERE to register.
Positive Affirmation Art Class (Grades 1-5)
I can do it, I am brave, I believe in myself! Students will express positive affirmation through art using markers and watercolors. Please have your student wear clothes that are OK for painting in. Students will take their project home. All supplies are provided.
Click HERE to register.
Robots Art Class (Grades 1-5)
Who loves robots?! In this fun and whimsical art class for children, students will be shown how to make a series of different style robots using primarily markers and watercolors, as well as a few additional materials. Please have your student wear clothes that are OK for painting in. Students will take their project home. All supplies are provided.
Click HERE to register.
Valentine’s Day Art Class (Grades 1-5)
Without Valentine’s Day, February would be….well, January! Students will make two fun and creative art projects: a Jim Dine heart (American Pop Artist), and a large Valentine for students to draw and paint things they love. Please have your student wear clothes that are OK for painting in. Students will take their project home. All supplies are provided.
Click HERE to register.
Cups Stacking (Grades K-5) NEW
If you’re looking for some fun and active ways to get your child working on their coordination, agility, concentration and reaction time, sport-stacking activities and games will have them hooked! Not only is sport stacking fun and exciting, but it encourages teamwork and cooperation among the participants. Sport stacking helps children use both sides of their bodies and brains to develop important athletic and lifelong skills. Ready, Set, Stack! camp provides step-by-step, one-on-one instruction to guide stackers through learning the basic patterns, practice, and rules of speed stacking. They will develop proficiency and self-confidence in this exhilarating and inclusive sport by applying their skills to dozens of fun game-based stacking activities.
Click HERE to register.
Kids In Action (Grades K-5)
Do you have an innovative thinker at home looking for a challenge? Then this is the class for them! We will play fun, light-hearted games and we will challenge ourselves to create our own games such as putt putt golf course, explore a variety of Railyard set ups, and experiment with some science. It’s going to be EPIC!
Click HERE to register.
Fencing (Grades 2-5)
New and returning students invited! Join this fast-growing Olympic sport. Hall of Fame Olympic Fencing Coach Ro Sobalvarro crafts our lessons and curriculum; students pair up and practice the fencing move or concept, rotate partners and repeat; students then participate in fencing matches using only the moves taught so far; 10-15 minutes each class students fence with multiple fencers at their skill level. All equipment provided.
Click HERE to register for Tuesdays.
Click HERE to register for Wednesdays.
Fencing (Grades 6-12)
New and returning students invited! Join this fast-growing Olympic sport. Hall of Fame Olympic Fencing Coach Ro Sobalvarro crafts our lessons and curriculum; students pair up and practice the fencing move or concept, rotate partners and repeat; students then participate in fencing matches using only the moves taught so far; 10-15 minutes each class students fence with multiple fencers at their skill level. All equipment provided.
Click HERE to register.
Bricks 4 Kidz (Grades K-5)
Bricks 4 Kidz® offers project-based programs designed to teach basic principles of engineering and architecture using LEGO® bricks and proprietary model plans. These activities are designed to trigger your child’s lively imagination and encourage problem-solving while exercising fine motor skills and spatial intelligence. Participants build a different simple machine each week using a motor and battery or rubber band system. Each model has various levels of complexity so that we are able to offer age appropriate projects.
Instructor: Bricks 4 Kidz Staff
Winter/Spring Theme: Energy is Everywhere
Models include:
Flower & Bees
Oil Pump Jack
Personal Fan
Solar Panel
Water Wheel
Windmill
Garbage Truck
Swaying Tree
All classes are held 3:45-4:55 pm, unless noted otherwise.
MONDAYS:
January 22, 29, February 5, 12 & 26 (5 wks) (no class 2/19)
Grant Ragan Elementary, Media Center
$60
March 25, April 1, 8, 15 & 22nd (5 wks)
Shuler Elementary, Media Center
$60
TUESDAYS:
January 23, 30, February 6, 13 & 27 (5 wks) (no class 2/20)
Sugar Creek Elementary, STEM Lab
$60
April 23, 30, May 7, 14 & 21 (5 wks)
Walnut Hills Elementary, Media Center
$60
THURSDAYS:
January 25, February 1, 8, 15 & 29 (5 wks) (no class 2/22)
Radiant Elementary, Media Center
$60
April 25, May 2, 9, 16 & 23 (5 wks)
Brookview Elementary, Media Center
$60
FRIDAYS:
January 26, February 2, 9, 16 & March 1 (5 wks) (no class 2/23)
Woodland Hills Elementary, Media Center
$60
March 29, April 5, 12, 19 & May 3rd (5 wks)(no class 4/26- Teacher Work Day)
Maple Grove Elementary, Media Center
$60
Robotics (Grades 1-5)
Build a spy-bot, satellite or design your own earthquake alarm. Then program the spy-bot to be sneaky, the satellite to orbit, and the alarm to…be alarming. Students LEARN basic engineering and computer coding concepts; BUILD multiple LEGO® Bricks projects; EXPLORE how the projects and programming complement each other; and PLAY with different building and programming options.
Instructor: Youth Enrichment League staff
All classes are held 3:45-4:45 pm, unless noted otherwise.
MONDAYS:
January 29-February 26 (5 wks)
Maple Grove Elementary, Media Center
$73
March 18-April 15 (5 wks)
Walnut Hills Elementary, Media Center
$73
TUESDAYS:
January 9-February 13 (5 wks) (no class 1/16)
Brookview Elementary, Media Center
$73
March 19-April 16 (5 wks)
Sugar Creek Elementary, STEM Lab
$73
THURSDAYS:
January 18-February 15 (5 wks)
Grant Ragan, Media Center
$73
March 21-April 18 (5 wks)
Radiant Elementary, Media Center
$73
FRIDAYS:
January 19-February 16 (5 wks)
Shuler Elementary, Media Center
$73
March 29-May 2 (5 wks) (No class 4/26)
Woodland Hills Elementary, Media Center
$73
Camp Invention Illuminate (Grades K-6) Early Sign up!
Give your young innovator an inspiring, action-packed summer adventure! Exciting, hands-on challenges will spark curiosity and build their confidence as they jump into limitless STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fun with opportunities to imagine, experience and create. INNOVATION: Gear up for sports and invention as you investigate the science of sports ball design, then personalize your own light-up game board. Get your creativity rolling to achieve your goal of being inducted into the Game of Fame! PERSISTENCE: Shine bright as you use the science of light to create a customized Glow Box! Find inspiration from illuminating inventions and animals that glow to reveal a mystery behind a creature with glowing features. PROBLEM SOLVING: Embark on an epic global operation to solve real-world water challenges! With help from your own robotic Lab-On-Wheels, explore water-based technology, then unlock sustainable design thinking by engineering a tiny house with crops. CREATIVITY: Step into Prototyping Studio to bring your big ideas to life! Mold and transform unique intentions as you uncover the many places world-changing inventors create, then protect your prototypes with the power of intellectual property. For students entering grades K-6.
Camp Director: Joshua Abbott
To view camp details, click HERE.
To Register, click HERE or call 1-800-968-4332
*Base registration price: $300
*Early Registration discount – save $35 is available to anyone if they register by December 31, 2023. Use code: Gift35
*Early Registration discount – save $25 is available to anyone if they register by March 27, 2024. Use code: FUN25
*$15 discount available to anyone if registered by May 16, 2024. Use code: FUN15
*For two siblings on the same order, save $30 per child. Use code: SIBLOVE30
*For three or more siblings on the same order, save $40 per child. Use code: SIBLOVE40
*Discounts cannot be combined.
Monday-Friday, 9 am-3:30 pm
July 8-12, 2024
Timberline School
