Activities

Enrichment classes and clubs let you explore a wide variety of topics, learn, meet friends, and have fun!

Enrichment classes and clubs have set start and end dates/times and varied number of sessions depending on the class. These classes require registration and may require fees. Scholarships are available.

Find your passion with our great out-of-school time classes. All of the classes are for 7-9 grade students unless otherwise specified. Please note that classes may be held in other buildings and may occur during weekends.

Four North Junior High students hold up a paper chain.

Explore Activities

NMS Variety Show

NMS Musical Production

Each year, students at NJH stage a musical production. Some of our past productions include, “Lion King Jr.” and "Annie Jr."

All 7th, 8th, and 9th are welcome! Aside from singers and dancers, the production needs students to work on scenery, run sound and music, help make costumes, and do make-up.

Contact: Michael LoPresti, michael.lopresti@hopkinsschools.org

Students can also get more information from the Student Service Center.

Robotics

Students team up with engineers and design staff from local industries to build a robot for competition. Students interested in engineering, computer sciences, communication, and design are encouraged to join. Meets at HHS in the Tech Ed dept. This is available for 9th graders.

Advisor: Alyson Purdy
When: TBD (depends on Engineers schedule, contact advisor)
Start/End Date: November to April
Participation Fee: +$25 (minimum)

Contact: alyson.purdy@hopkinsschools.org

Quiz Bowl

Compete with other schools in national, state, and local quiz bowl events. It is an academic based club that allow students to compete over general academic knowledge. Meets at HHS in room S246. This is available for 9th graders.

Advisor: John Sammler
When: 2:45 to 4:15pm every Thursday (and Saturday competitions)
Start Date: Sept 27 to April 30
Participation Fee: $25

Contact: John.Sammler@hopkinsschools.org

Math League

The club studies math topics not commonly taught in the high school curriculum. It gives those students interested in mathematics an opportunity to deepen their understanding and ability. Meets at HHS in room S254. This is available for students enrolled in Algebra 2.

Advisor: Brent Hering When: 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. every Monday, September – February.
Participation Fee: $50

Contact: Brent.Hering@hopkinsschools.org

Debate

Debate is a competitive and fun academic activity focused on developing and rebutting intelligent arguments in a structured setting. The style of debate that we predominantly participate in at Hopkins is called Lincoln-Douglas (LD). LD debate evaluates important issues such as the pros and cons of different international relations policies or more broad philosophical/political questions like the resolution (debate topic) that all novices (first year debaters) will debate: Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified. Meeting in Room W 126-127.

Advisor: Trevor Martinez
When: Tuesdays & Thursday 3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Start/End Date: Sept. 8 to Jan. 28
Participation Fee: $200

Contact: trevorvmartinez@gmail.com

DECA

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. It does this through it competitive events series. For more information on events visit the National DECA site. Open to students 9-12. Meets at HHS in W230 and S130

Advisor: Jesse Theirl
When: 2:35 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays
Start/End Date: Sep to April
Participation Fee: $25

Contact: Jesse.Theirl@hopkinsschools.org

Destination Imagination

Destination Imagination, a team-based creative problem solving activity helps build critical thinking, imagination and life skills. This program is for students entering grades K-12. Teams consist of 5-7 members and require a volunteer Team manager to assist in scheduling team meetings and monitoring progress. No experience necessary. If you have any questions, please check your Community Ed booklet.

Community Education office: 952-988-4070

Fermi Math

The Fermi Off-the-Wall Math League is an internet-based math competition appropriate for enrichment, small group work and individuals wanting creative, technology-rich experiences. Emphasis is on problem solving Fermi math-style using constructed responses and model building. The Fermi Math League is open to school districts and individual students world-wide. The constructed response strategy builds strong mathematicians- who practice these skills before state testing! See Mrs. Lee if you are interested in joining a Fermi group.

Contact: Kristin.Lee@hopkinsschools.org

Small Ensemble

The purpose of this enrichment course is to provide students with an opportunity to further explore their interest in vocal music. It is particularly meaningful for those students who cannot participate in after school activities.

Small Ensemble is an enrichment course offered to all North Junior High students grades 7-9. It is an opportunity for students to learn how to become better singers as well as elements of the performing process including stage presence, promotion, song choice and rehearsal etiquette. As a group, each small ensemble will choose a piece (i.e. vocal jazz, pop, broadway) to work on for the semester. Groups will then perform at the winter and spring choir concerts, with additional opportunities to perform at local events/locations.

Currently, there are 6 small ensemble groups made up of 4-5 students each. Student groups will be re-organized second semester, allowing for greater collaboration. Once a student signs up for the course, they will be actively enrolled until the end of the school year.

Both students and staff have mentioned how they're looking forward to this new course offering. Contact Sarah Raeker if you have any questions or concerns. Any suggestions/ideas you have for the course are appreciated as well!

Jazz Band

North Junior High boasts three jazz ensembles: one full Jazz Band and two Jazz Combos. These groups are creating performance opportunities for students to make music in different ways and with different genres than is typically found in a band classroom.

The Jazz Band has two parts: a "rhythm section" and the "horns." The rhythm section contains piano, guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Students interested in playing these instruments must sign up for an audition due to limited space. Sign-ups are posted outside the band room, #321. The horns are all other instruments: woodwinds and brass. We have even had a violinist join in the past! Jazz Band performs two concerts per year, along with an elementary school performance.

Jazz Combo is another, smaller ensemble that challenges its musicians further. The melodies are more difficult, and improvisation skills are learned in depth. Our Jazz Combos are smaller groups that perform at more than just our concerts. They are frequently seen out in the community sharing music with others; cafes, nursing homes, schools, receptions, and more. All students interested in joining Jazz Combo must sign up for an audition.

If a student plays a musical instrument and would be interested in either Jazz Band or Jazz Combo, please fill out the registration form by November 4.

Young Scientist Roundtable

The Young Scientist Roundtable program is a joint effort with our neighboring districts. It is a monthly program, designed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and their parents to learn about exciting ideas and developments presented by professors and prominent experts in many scientific fields. It is hosted by the Wayzata Public Schools.

Throughout the school year several scientists come to Wayzata Central Middle School in the evening at 7:00pm to share their area of expertise, and to interact with the students during their presentation. This is generally followed by a "Teen Roundtable" where students can participate in an in-depth discussion and question/answer session with the speaker. The Young Scientist Roundtable is an excellent program, free to our students, and followed by many on a regular basis.

The first session is typically the first week of October. Sessions are typically on Mondays or Tuesdays.