For the past 26 years, Advantage Educational Programs benefited thousands of students in Minnesota by preparing them for the college entrance exams. They offer ACT Preparatory Courses in more than 40 high schools in Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding area. These courses are designed for students who wish to improve their test-taking skills and improve their overall scores on the college entrance exams. Students who finish the course increase their scores significantly. Advantage Education will provide an introduction to the ACT format with strategies for answering questions, as well as instruction for the specific subject areas tested. Focal points of the program include diagnostic testing, vocabulary development, intensive mathematical review, reading comprehension improvement, science reasoning, concentration improvement, overcoming test anxiety, essay writing, and time management. Three learning opportunities are available to register for the ACT Test Prep Course: In-person classroom: the course includes diagnostic testing, instruction in time management, overcoming test anxiety, science reasoning, English strategies and review, essay writing, reading comprehension, and math strategies and review. Students enrolled in these classes not only benefit from personal instruction taught by our experienced instructors but also have free access to our online course. Students may repeat this course online at no extra charge. This is held at MHS. Virtual classroom: virtual classroom meets for three hours, one day each week, for four weeks and is taught live, via Zoom, by an Advantage instructor who provides instruction and interaction with the students. Internet connection and access to a computer or laptop is required. Online at your own pace: online students prep for the ACT at their own pace and around their busy schedules. Instruction is pre-recorded and provided online via videos and slides. Students may access this course at any time and as often as needed. Students can make up any class they miss at other available class locations and may repeat any of the ACT prep courses by requesting the Self-Paced Online ACT Prep Course free of charge. For further information, please call Advantage Educational Programs at 612-222-5108, or visit their website at www.AdvantagePrep.net.

The college search continues to become more complex, making it harder for families to identify right fit schools. Challenges include: Substantial changes to the FAFSA and financial aid may make college more expensive. Admission trends and how colleges admit students. Testing - some require it now and some don't - what path makes sense? Join us to learn how these changes may impact your family, and new strategies to consider to give your student the best opportunity to be admitted and maximize scholarships and financial aid. If you are the parent of a HS student in grades 9-11, this is incredibly important info you will not want to miss. Access to Zoom required.

This program is for participants 21 years of age or older. Participants must sign in at the gym for each session attended.

In this three session class, participants will be introduced to basic techniques of hand building, throwing on a potter’s wheel, and glazing. Using stoneware clay and earth tone glazes, participants will create pieces of art using an electric wheel, slab roller and extruder. The first two sessions are devoted to creating and the last session will focus on glazing. Participants are encouraged to bring an apron or towel. There's a $40 per person supply fee is due to the instructor at the beginning of class. This studio is not handicap accessible.

An adult-child paint date is a fun and creative activity that allows parents and children to bond while exploring their artistic side together. In this class, parents and children work together to create a painting. The class is designed to be interactive and engaging, with step-by-step guidance on painting techniques and offering tips and tricks to create a cohesive painting. This is a fun and creative activity that allows parents and children to bond while exploring their artistic side together. All art supplies are included, such as canvases, paints, brushes, and easels. You will register one person for a parent/child combination.

Join us once a month for a fun and creative Adult & Child Craft Night! These sessions invite adults (parents, guardians, grandparents, special adults, etc) and the children in their lives (ages 7+) to work together on a hands-on project designed for all skill levels. Each month features a new craft, which encourages teamwork, creativity, and quality time. All materials are provided, and instructors will offer guidance throughout, making it an enjoyable experience for both adults and children. Come create, connect, and make lasting memories together! October - Felt Mallard November - Felt Pumpkin Centerpiece December - Bead Embroidered Felt Ornament *Please only register your student. One registration includes one craft kit for the adult/child pair.

In this advanced drawing class designed, we’ll explore the exciting world of anime! Artists will build on their existing skills as they learn to draw expressive faces, dynamic poses, and detailed features inspired by beloved characters. We’ll also dive into how to develop original anime-style characters, and artists will create and paint their own anime-inspired self-portraits on canvas boards, combining drawing and painting skills into one piece of artwork. This class offers an environment where students can challenge themselves, refine their artistic voice, and gain confidence in their art. It’s a great fit for artists who are ready to take their drawing skills to the next level! All materials included.

In this fun and engaging class, young artists will learn to draw popular anime characters while building essential anime art skills! From expressive eyes to creative character design, students will practice techniques that bring characters to life and inspire their own anime-style creations. Min 8 | Max 20 Instructor: Kidcreate Studio

We are Monsters is a hilarious new musical that follows human kids into a monster cabaret filled with quirky monster characters. The adventurous humans uncover vegetarian vampires and rock n’ roll werewolves, gradually realizing there may be more to these monsters than meets the eye! Most importantly these monsters and kids discover the importance of friendship and celebrating the attributes that make each of us different and unique. Every participant has the opportunity to have lines if they want them, and everyone will learn and perform all songs and dances onstage. Min 30/Max 65 Instructor: Ashland Theater At Ashland/Maplewood Community Center: Tech Week is Feb 22-24 from 630-830 PM and Shows are Feb 27 at 4 PM and Feb 28 at 1 PM. Transportation to Tech Week and the shows are the responsibility of the family.

Join Peggy Munro Scholberg as she shares her mother’s remarkable firsthand experiences serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, including her time stationed in France during the Battle of the Bulge. Through short readings from Girls in a World at War and a moving photo slideshow presentation, participants will step into a world shaped by courage, sacrifice, romance, tragedy, and hope. This engaging program brings history to life through personal stories and images that capture both the hardships and the humanity of wartime service. Light refreshments will be served. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase following the presentation. Peggy Munro Scholberg is honored to share her mother’s World War II story through the publication of Girls in a World at War. Peggy and her husband, Bill, live in Apple Valley, Minnesota, where they raised their two sons. Together, they retraced her parents’ travels throughout Europe and explored the history and locations connected to their wartime experiences. After a successful career as a pharmacy manager, Peggy is now enjoying retirement and the opportunity to bring her family’s remarkable story to audiences and readers. Like her mother, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and trying new recipes, while also sharing her father’s lifelong love of sports.

Enjoy a free afternoon of Bingo and socializing! If you have miscellaneous items at home that you would like to donate as a prize, please bring along to add to our prize table. Prize donations are always accepted and much appreciated! Registration is not required.

Looking for a new fitness class that is fun, effective, and close to home? Barre Basics is a new group exercise class being offered through Community Education. This class will offer a wide variety of low-impact exercises that combine elements of ballet, Pilates, yoga and strength training. Barre focuses on engaging specific muscles until they reach fatigue, followed by stretching to create long, lean, and toned muscles. Barre is a great way to build total body strength, improve flexibility, and relieve stress. This class is open to all fitness levels, with modifications available to help you safely perform exercises. Please bring a yoga mat, resistance band, and a light set of hand weights (2 lb or similar). Sticky/grip socks are also recommended.

This course will provide you with an understanding of estate planning! We will learn the basics in order to make educated decisions regarding your estate. Presented by attorneys at Klemp & Stanton, you will discuss a variety of topics such as wills vs. trusts, power of attorney, health care directives, estate tax, and common misunderstandings of estate planning. Through clear explanations, real-life examples, and a focus on practical application, this course will empower you to create a tailored estate plan that reflects your personal goals.

Transform your holiday decor with a touch of handmade elegance and create a beautiful bead embroidered ornament for your tree. Each participant will learn basic embroidery stitches and how to include glass beads and sequins into your work! The tasting room at Saint Croix Vineyards will be open throughout the class, offering a selection of their refreshments available for purchase. Ages 21+ | All materials included | Wine and food sold separately

Whether you consider yourself a beginner or intermediate player, join this club to meet and interact with other chess players in your school and play on a weekly basis! If they are new to the game, players will learn the basic rules and strategies of chess. Many chess variations will also be explored. Players will be able to complete a full game and recognize a checkmate and stalemate. Players will learn to set and use a chess clock during a game and resolve a disagreement.

Start your day off right with the Before School Walking Club! This club meets in the morning before school for a fun, relaxed walk around the school and nearby walking paths. It’s a great way to wake up your body and mind, spend time with friends, and enjoy some fresh air before the school day starts. Whether you're looking to get some light exercise, chat with classmates, or just enjoy a peaceful start to your morning, everyone is welcome! Come walk with us! Registration required.