Beyond the Bell: The St. Matthew’s After School Experience

A St. Matthew’s education extends far beyond the final class period. To augment our strong academic foundation, our comprehensive after school offerings provide every student, from 2 years old through 8th grade, a supportive environment to stay, play, grow, and connect well after the traditional school day ends.

After School Enrichment 

Offered twice a year in 15-week sessions, our dynamic enrichment classes spark creativity, foster collaboration, and instill a lifelong love of learning. This past fall, students explored diverse interests ranging from yoga, swim club, and Build It Big, to creative coding in Minecraft, dance, and theatre arts.

Many of these offerings have grown into cherished campus traditions over the years. Chess has been thriving for 18 years under the guidance of kindergarten teacher Mr. Cinnamo, who loves sharing his passion for improving students’ learning through strategy and critical thinking. Mr. Quintero has spent over a decade leading the Minecraft class where students build digital worlds together. “Students not only create and build using blocks, but they also create relationships and friendships that go beyond the after school class,” Mr. Quintero describes.

Newer classes are making just as big an impact. Our Lower School cheer squad doubled to 29 students this year, giving young students a supportive place to learn fundamentals and shine. “Teaching our Falcons a new sport while building their confidence and leadership skills is a dream,” shared co-coach Mrs. Monaghan. The team brings incredible energy and spirit to Falcon Athletics games all year long.

Complimentary After Care & Homework Support

To give working families peace of mind, St. Matthew’s offers complimentary After Care Monday through Friday until 5:00 p.m.. Dedicated teachers oversee two age groups, Early Childhood and Kindergarten–8th grade. “As a working parent, having these options available is such a gift,” shared Catherine Griffin-Matlow, a current St. Matthew’s parent. “My child can enjoy enrichment classes and stay for After Care when needed. The teachers are so caring and attentive, and they’ve built a wonderful connection with our children. Knowing they’re in such good hands gives me complete peace of mind.”

For students in 4th through 8th grade, St. Matthew’s also offers Homework Club, a free, supervised study hall held Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. This gives students dedicated time to complete assignments and stay organized alongside friends before transitioning home or into After Care.

Athletics & Debate Programs

Under the guidance of Athletic Director Rahim Muhammad and our dedicated coaching staff, Falcon Athletics focuses on sportsmanship, character, and inclusion over scores. “Being back on the Bienveneda campus has brought extraordinary energy to Falcon Athletics this fall, and we are proud of every student-athlete who represents St. Matthew’s,” Coach Rahim shared. “Every student who wants to play gets the opportunity to participate, build confidence, and hone their skills.”

An extraordinary 80% of 4th through 8th grade students participate on an athletic team. Expanding Falcon Athletics to include 4th graders has been a fantastic success, highlighted by our dedicated 4th/5th grade flag football team. Reflecting on the fall season, 6th/7th grade flag football coach Daniel Troutman noted, “It felt great to build on last season’s development, with so many players who returned to the field.” Off the field, spectators from our Age 2 Little Falcons to 8th graders, parents, and alumni regularly gather to showcase their unmatched Falcon spirit and cheer on our student-athletes. 

To further support year-round athletic development, we recently introduced a new Middle School Swim Club, giving our student-athletes in Grades 5–8 the opportunity to continue to develop their swimming skills and refine their technique in a structured, coach-led environment through the winter and spring following the fall swim season.

St. Matthew’s also features an award-winning Middle School Debate Program (Grades 6–8) coached by faculty, providing a meaningful opportunity for students to engage in rigorous academic work, public speaking, and leadership.

Whether discovering a new passion, finishing homework with classmates, or wearing the Falcon uniform, every St. Matthew’s student  finds a warm, supportive home here after the bell.

Join the St. Matthew’s Family! Applications for the 2027–28 academic year are now open, with bus transportation available from Brentwood, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades. Schedule a campus tour or visit stmatthewsschool.com to learn more.