Enrichment Courses 2025-26

Merrill Middle School strongly believes in giving students opportunities to explore passions and extend their thinking.

Merrill’s Enrichment classes are part of our school day and occur during 11th period. They provide an opportunity for students to engaged in learning that sparks curiosity or a chance to try something new. Most Enrichment classes are 9 weeks long (Black Student Alliance and Student Council run for an entire semester). Students will take up to 4 enrichments throughout the year.

Advanced Math Challenge

Advanced Math Challenge sharpens your brain with interesting and practical math problems including word problems and math related blooket games.

Art with Purpose

Students will have the opportunity to create meaningful artwork that positively impacts our local community organizations. Students will develop their artistic skills while designing and crafting various pieces including greeting cards, painted rocks, mini-murals, and other creative projects specifically tailored for nonprofits, nursing homes, schools, and community centers. Through this hands-on class, students will not only use their creative and artistic abilities but also learn the value of community service and how their creativity can bring joy to others.

AVID

Students will research colleges, this will include location, class offerings, extracurricular programs they offer, tuition cost, athletics, and housing. Students will then write a letter to the college they researched. Students will also do a career quiz and look into different careers within their interest areas.

Basketball

Are you interested in all things basketball?! Join basketball enrichment to explore strategy, teamwork, iconic basketball films, and the rules of the game. We will of course get in the gym and build your own skills like shooting form, ball handling, offensive moves, and defensive principles.

Beauty

Join us to learn about beauty and health trends! This class is open to all!

Black Student Alliance

We will compare scenes from famous books and their film adaptations, discuss them, and decide which one is preferred and why.

Calm and Quiet Artistry

Calm and Quiet Artistry is a calm and quiet class period used for exercising the creative mind in various forms of processing, planning and producing. During Calm and Quiet Artistry, the art studio will be open to you daily to practice drawing and painting. You are also invited to explore various forms of creative writing including short stories, lyrics, poems and novels. Calm and Quiet Artistry will also be a space for intensive reading. From beginners to advanced readers, this is a space to lean into reading and spend time enjoying written stories and novels. This is a student-choice space and a calm and quiet way to spend the end of the day thinking, creatively.

Coding

This enrichment is for students interested in learning how to code beyond HTML/CSS. Whether you’re interested in learning how to code python, or learning how to code using SWIFT, this coding enrichment welcomes coders of all levels.

Crazy Comics

In crazy comics we will do 3 things- 1. Learn about cool and influential comics creators!! 2. Read comics, both super hero and non super hero!!! 3. MAKE OUR OWN COMICS using online resources and materials. Get crazy and read some comics!!

Creative Outreach

Our main goal is to disconnect from computers and use our time for creativity which includes watercolor, clay, bracelets, sidewalk chalk, mini-competitions, drawing time, and more. We’ll also work to build community connections with our artwork through random acts of kindness, activism, and community outreach. Students will work each quarter around a different theme they help decide.

Crochet

For beginners to advanced crochet, we will learn basic stitches and work on student selected projects. Students can learn to make granny squares, hats, scarves, and amigurumi projects and more! If you like crafting with yarn, this is the enrichment for you.

Dance and Movement

In this class, we will switch between dancing, yoga, and cardio. Come choreograph a dance, learn a pre-choreographed routine, and work as a team!

Draw and Jam

In this enrichment we will draw while listening to music. Students will all get a chance to choose a musical artist to listen to in class for the day while we draw an assigned project. This class will help students appreciate different kinds of music and see how it can inspire creativity.

Engineering Innovators

In this enrichment, you’ll get a chance to flex your creativity and problem-solving skills to imagine, build and test all sorts of inventions! Students will work in teams to engineer incredible creations – from paper airplanes and model rockets, to LEGO race cars and catapults .. and so much MORE!

Garden Club

Garden club- students will paint clay pots and transplant house plants. For the spring semester, students will prepare starter herbs and vegetables for gardens. Students will sell them at school events, give them as presents to family or friends, or keep them as memories.

Homework Club

Homework club is the opportunity for students to work on school related assignments, IXL, iReady, projects, etc. Get a head start on your homework!

Library/Games/Reading

Need support completing math homework? Join Math Homework Help to ensure all your assignments are submitted in a timely manner! OR Join us in Library/Games/Reading Club where one day of each week will be dedicated to Library support, learning a new game, or reading your fave book!

Music and Dancing (Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, etc)

Are you ready to shake your hips and learn some amazing dance moves? In our Music and Dancing enrichment class, you’ll dive into the vibrant world of Latin dances like Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, and Cumbia!

Throughout our sessions, we will:

Learn Basic Steps: Master the foundational steps that will have you dancing with confidence.

Create Short Choreographies: Collaborate with your classmates to design fun and energetic dance routines.

Have Fun: Enjoy a lively atmosphere where you can express yourself through movement and music.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this class is all about having a great time while learning how to groove without stepping on anyone’s toes! Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with rhythm, laughter, and joy! Let’s dance our hearts out!

Music Theory

Ever wonder how your favorite artists create their music? It all starts with music theory! No matter what kind of music you enjoy listening to, this class is designed to deepen your understanding of the music you love. Explore the fundamentals of melody, harmony, rhythm, and notation, and learn how these elements come together to create beautiful compositions.

My Future, My Plan

Who do you want to be—and how are you going to get there?
In this class, you’ll dream big about your future lifestyle, figure out what it costs, and explore careers that match your interests. You’ll take a survey, build a budget, and create a vision board that shows off your goals. Along the way, you’ll see how your choices today can help you build the life you really want. Ready to map out your future? Let’s go!

Origami

Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper. Come join us to create some fun and amazing projects.

Pickup Soccer

Students will go outside and play friendly games of scrimmage soccer against their classmates!

Premier League Soccer Enrichment

We will watch highlights of all the current Premier League games each week and discuss all the happenings with the global game!

Puzzles

This enrichment is all about puzzles. We have jigsaw puzzles, word searches, crosswords, logic puzzles and more. Come join the fun.

Reading Club

Do you love reading? Do you want to exceed your AR goal quickly and easily? Let’s read together & knock out your AR goal during enrichment!

Speedball

Are you a fan of either football, soccer, or basketball? Speedball is a game that can be played indoors or outdoors which combines all 3 of those sports into one! In this enrichment, we will enjoy ourselves by practicing our shooting, passing, throwing, and catching skills and also play the fun and competitive game of Speedball. You don’t need to know how to play this game- you will learn it here!

Student Council (StuCo)

The Merrill Student Council is looking for energetic, creative, and responsible people who want to develop their skills as leaders and effect positive change in our school. Merrill StuCo is an organization conducted by students and supervised by Mrs. Cleveland during the Enrichment period. Our student council aims to allow students to develop leadership skills by organizing and carrying out school activities and service projects.

In the past, Merrill StuCo has been responsible for planning school dances, the annual Talent Show, school fundraisers, Spirit Week, Award Assembly Videos, and much more!

To participate in Student Council, you will have to keep in good standing with both your academic and behavioral responsibilities as well as be active in all council-sponsored events. Please carefully consider these things before applying. Any student that is interested in leadership, organizational behavior, event planning, or becoming more involved in the school is welcome to apply!

Volleyball

Whether you are looking to learn the basics, or continue to grow your skills, come try out Volleyball. Each day we will practice different skills and get as much playing time as possible!

Women’s Sports

This class focuses on the current landscape of women’s sports, highlighting top athletes, major leagues, and the evolving opportunities in various athletic disciplines. Students will watch and analyze live games, highlight reels, and interviews to engage in thoughtful discussions about current events and trends in women’s sports.