Afternoon Programs

Photo of Brooks School's outdoor production of Into the Woods.

At Brooks School, we seek to provide the most meaningful educational experience our students will have in their lives. As an extension of the classroom, the afternoon activities program is an integral part of that experience. After classes each day, they have the opportunity to deeply explore activities and interscholastic sports that interest them.

Students have the chance to challenge themselves and try something new.

Through their participation, students develop lifelong skills including leadership, teamwork, empathy, perseverance and overcoming adversity.

Teamwork is an essential component of the educational experience. By encouraging our students to be part of something bigger than themselves through collaboration and engagement with others, and by sharing in group success, they gain invaluable life skills.

Athletics

With 15 interscholastic sports, many with two and three levels to compete in, Brooks students play on a variety of teams — with opportunities to serve as managers, too.

Brooks volleyball player serves on the court.

Performing Arts

As actors, playwrights, directors and students interested in stage crew, Brooks' three annual theatrical productions offer all a chance to be on stage or behind the scenes!

Students in Hadestown perform on stage at Brooks.

Community Service

Through tutoring, serving food at a soup kitchen, helping out at a shelter or volunteering with Brooks' community partner organizations, students get a chance to give back.

Four young people are picking up small objects from a gravel path in front of a brick building and lush greenery.

Offerings

Participation in the afternoon program, on a team or in an activity, is required for all students every season.

There are options for everyone, including playing or managing a sport, being part of a performance or tech crew, participating in a fitness or strength activity and engaging in community service.

Brooks' afternoon program is an excellent opportunity to try something new or to develop a passion and skill at the next level.

Athletics

Brooks participates in the 16- school Independent School League, with most games played on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Skilled coaching is offered at all levels, and the traditions of sportsmanship, competition and excellence are strong at Brooks and in the ISL, in which Brooks teams have won multiple ISL and New England championships. There are also opportunities for multi-sport athletes to have partial time off from a Brooks afternoon activity to support their participation in high-level programs off campus.

Performing Arts

There are three major theatrical productions during the year. These typically include a fall musical, and a comedy or drama during the winter and spring seasons. All major productions rehearse during the afternoon activities period. In addition, there are showcase opportunities for playwrights, actors and directors throughout the year.

Students can participate in the actual performance or assist with behind-the-scenes production (technical theater).

Community Service

Service learning at Brooks reflects the school’s belief that “to whom much is given, much is required.” The school strives to develop empathy, respect and responsibility in its students, and the community service program aims to promote those characteristics.

Weekly activities include tutoring, assisting at a local farm, working with a sports and academics support program for local youth, and serving the evening meal at a nearby soup kitchen.

variety

Offerings at Brooks also include:

Strength and Conditioning, designed for athletes and focused on out-of-season training. Participants work with Brooks' Strength and Conditioning Coach and do agility and speed training, too.
Our "Be Moved" program, a winter fitness activity involving barre, strength, aerobic activities and yoga.
Managing, providing students a leadership opportunity by serving as a manager of an athletic team (not available to third-form students).

Brooks' Athletic Center features a light-filled strength and conditioning room, open to all, that overlooks our basketball courts.

FLEXIBILITY

FLEX — We recognize that students pursue interests outside of Brooks while at Brooks. Students electing to participate in these activities may do so, with the support of their advisor, the academic office and the athletic department through a "Flex" option.

A SEASON OFF — Fifth- or sixth-form students (grades 11 and 12) who are two-sport, 1st team (varsity) athletes may apply to take their third season off from a Brooks activity if they are involved in an outside activity.

INDEPENDENT — Additionally, an "Independent" option may be granted to an upper-form student in good academic and disciplinary standing to pursue something that is not offered or able to be completed at Brooks.

Students do crunches in the athletic center gym.