Clubs and Organizations
At First Presbyterian Academy, learning doesn't end when the final bell rings. Our Upper School students have opportunities to discover new interests, develop leadership skills, serve others, and build lasting friendships through a variety of clubs and organizations.
Some opportunities are after-school enrichment clubs that meet weekly on designated days throughout the semester, while others are year-long leadership organizations, honor societies, and service groups that meet throughout the school year. Whether you're looking to explore a new hobby, strengthen your college resume, serve your community, or simply connect with classmates who share your interests, there's a place for you at FPA.
After school care for students in grades 6th – 12th is club-based. FPA offers different options Monday – Thursday from 3:15p.m. – 4:30p.m. You will have the opportunity to sign up for as many clubs as you wish. Clubs are listed below.
If you have any questions about After School Care for Upper School, please email Adrian Macerola at amacerola@firstpresacademy.com.
Monday After School Enrichment
Minecraft Club
Minecraft Club gives students opportunities to develop creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and strategic thinking through structured Minecraft challenges. Students will learn basic building techniques, resource management, exploration, survival strategies, and introductory Redstone Mechanics. Meetings may include individual builds, team projects, design challenges, and problem-solving activities. Beginners will receive clear guidance, while more experienced players can develop more advanced builds and technical skills. Students will need to purchase Minecraft on their portable device of choice.
Instructor: Dr. Pandolph
Grades: 6th grade – 12th Grade
Dates: Mondays
Time: 3:15pm -4:30pm
Price: $60 per month ($15per session monthly commitment required)
Kung Fu Club
A real martial artist trains for superior self-defense skill AND excellence in character. In this class we combine the best in self-defense as developed by Bruce Lee and Ip Man with character training through stories from history and the bible. Your child will enjoy this energetic and fun class taught by Sifu Jason Korol of Greenville Academy of Martial Arts. Students will be able to earn belts and attend promotional ceremonies just like the students who take class at The Academy. Sifu Jason has been teaching in Greenville for over 30 years and has written over 15 books on self-defense and writes a monthly column for Wing Chun Illustrated, a worldwide publication. He will be joined by Sifu Jaz most weeks. She has been training since she was 8 years old and has been an instructor for almost 9 years. She brings life to every class she teaches! Join us this fall to help your child gain vital skills, confidence, and character!
Instructor: Sifu Jason
Grade: K5 – 8th grade
Date: Mondays
Time: 3pm – 4pm
Start Date: September 14th – December 14th
No Class: October 12th , October 19th , November 9th , November 23rd – Update
Cost: $165 for 10-week program
$10 for a white belt (please bring it to class every Monday)
$15 for a Greenville Academy t-shirt (not required)
Tuesday After School Enrichment
Chess Club
Chess Club introduces students to the fundamentals of chess in a relaxed, competitive, and supportive environment. Students will learn how the pieces move, basic rules, opening principles, tactical patterns, checkmating strategies, and endgame fundamentals. More experienced players will also explore intermediate tactics, positional strategy, and game analysis. Each meeting will include instruction, practice activities, and opportunities to play complete games against classmates.
Instructor: Dr. Pandolph
Grades: 6th grade – 12th Grade
Dates: Tuesdays
Time: 3:15p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Price: $60 per month ($15 per session monthly commitment required)
Dance Club
Have you ever felt awkward at a school dance? It’s probably because you didn’t know what to do with yourself. Dance club will help master a few line dances, group dance, and some solo dance moves so that no matter what kind of music is playing, you’ll have some dance moves to show off! A few dances we’ll learn through the semester include the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, the Shim Sham, Cotton Eye Joe, and Footloose. These are the most common dances done at school dances, weddings, and other parties. So, if you’re nervous about the Christmas dance or just want to have fun moving after school, Dance Club is the perfect place!
Instructor: Mr. Dye
Limit: 20 students
Grades: 6th Grade - 12th Grade
Dates: August 25th – November 17th (12 Sessions)
No Class: October 13th
Time: 3:15p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Price: $180 ($15 per session)
Register: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/dd6lvMNO
Wednesday After School Enrichment
RESET – A Creative Neuro Art Club
After a full day of classes, students deserve a chance to slow down before heading home. RESET is a weekly after-school art club designed specifically for students in grades 6-9. Through calming, process-based art activities, students will explore creativity while giving their minds a chance to unwind. Each week features simple projects inspired by neuro art, mindful drawing, color exploration, pattern making, watercolor, collage, and creative challenges that encourage relaxation, confidence, and self- expression.
No artistic experience is necessary. This is not a traditional art class focused on perfect results. Instead, students will enjoy a welcoming environment where creativity becomes a tool for reducing stress, building focus, and ending the school day on a positive note. The club meets Wednesdays and is designed to serve as a relaxing bridge between the end of the school day and parent pickup.
Instructor: Mrs. Price and Mrs. Ward
Grades: 6th grade – 12th Grade
Time: 3:15p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Price: $60 per month ($15 per session monthly commitment required)
Supply Fee: $20
Thursday After School Enrichment
Crusader Life Lab
Crusader Life Lab is an engaging after-school enrichment club designed to help middle school students build practical life skills while growing in confidence, creativity, and meaningful friendships. Each week, students will participate in hands-on projects and interactive experiences that teach valuable skills they'll use for years to come. Activities may include learning to play mahjong and other strategy games, beginner sewing projects like stitching pillows or sewing on buttons, tie-dye creations, simple cooking and entertaining skills such as building a charcuterie board, budgeting and money management, time management and organization, gift wrapping, basic household skills, and age-appropriate social and communication skills.
Throughout the semester, students will also enjoy special themed experiences, including an etiquette luncheon where they'll learn proper dining etiquette, table manners, and conversational skills in a fun, encouraging environment. Every activity is designed to help students become more capable, independent, and confident while building friendships, practicing teamwork, and having fun in a Christ-centered environment. Club activities will vary throughout the semester, giving students new opportunities to create, learn, and grow each week.
Instructor: Mrs. Price and Mrs. Ward
Grades: 6th grade – 12th Grade
Dates: Thursday
Time: 3:15pm -4:30pm
Price: $60 per month ($15per session monthly commitment required)
Supply Fee: $20
Adventure RPG Club
RPG stands for Role Playing Game. It is a board game of sorts but uses the players' decisions to move the story/game along. Each player creates their own character that they play as. The story is led by the Game Master(Teacher). The role of the GM is to create the environment, situations and all other characters that the players will encounter. The GM provides the objectives, but the players get to decide how they want to complete those objectives.
What is the campaign about?
This campaign, named, “The Secret of Marloe’s Cove” is a treasure-hunt story about a town's beloved community center facing demolition, with a lost founder's strongbox hidden in sea caves that could save it. The story is inspired by The Goonies movie but it stands alone as its own story with its own characters.
What situations may take place within the campaign?
There is a level of danger but no mature situations will take place. The students are searching for a 200 year old treasure and there are a couple of goons looking for it as well. Those goons are working for a wealthy businessman whose goal is to tear down the local boardwalk to build a private marina. Besides that, there will be some puzzles to solve and old booby traps to avoid.
What will be needed for this game?
The students will need their own dice. A d6 & a d20.
The students will need a character which they can choose and paint in their first session.
Instructor: Mr. Ottens
Limit: 10
Grades: 6th grade – 12th Grade
Dates: October 15th – December 3rd (7 sessions)
No Class: November 26
Time: 3:15pm - 4:30pm
Price: $105
Supply Fee: $5
Register: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/8xcV5mEI
Year-Round Clubs and Organizations
National Honor Society (Grades 10-12)
Sponsor- Brent King
The National Honor Society (NHS) is a nationwide organization that recognizes and encourages academic achievement while also promoting strong character and leadership among high school students. NHS is built on four pillars:
- Scholarship Maintaining strong academic performance and a commitment to learning
- Character Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and responsibility in all areas of life
- Leadership Positively influencing others and taking initiative in school or community activities
Service Volunteering time and talents to improve the school and community.
Students are invited to apply for membership based on their academic record, and they must demonstrate excellence in the other three pillars through essays, recommendations, or interviews.National Junior Honor Society (Grades 7-9)
Sponsor- Brent King
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a nationwide organization that recognizes and encourages academic achievement while also promoting strong character and leadership among high school students.
NJHS is built on four pillars:
- Scholarship Maintaining strong academic performance and a commitment to learning
- Character Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and responsibility in all areas of life
- Leadership Positively influencing others and taking initiative in school or community activities
- Service Volunteering time and talents to improve the school and community.
Students are invited to apply for membership based on their academic record.
Key Club (Grades 9-12)
Sponsor- April Milby
Key Club is an international, student-led organization that teaches leadership through service to others. It is the oldest and largest high school service organization in the world, founded in 1925 and sponsored by Kiwanis International.
Key Club members focus on building character, developing leadership skills, and serving their school and community. The club emphasizes three core values:
- Leadership – Developing skills through planning and leading service projects.
- Character Building – Making ethical choices and acting with integrity.
- Caring – Showing compassion by helping others and improving the community.
Members volunteer in a wide variety of ways—organizing fundraisers, supporting local charities, mentoring younger students, and participating in service events. Through these experiences, students grow as leaders while making a positive impact locally and globally.
Central Spirit Committee (Grades 7-12)
Sponsor- Amber Thompson
The Central Spirit Committee is a student-led group dedicated to fostering school pride and building a strong, positive community at our school. Members plan and organize exciting events such as Spirit Week, Homecoming festivities, pep rallies, and other school-sponsored activities. Through creativity, teamwork, and leadership, the committee helps bring our school’s traditions to life and ensures that every student has opportunities to participate, celebrate, and feel connected.
Youth in Government (Grades 6-12)
Sponsor- Libba Urps
YIG is a year‑round civic‑engagement program for middle and high school students in South Carolina, designed to help young people understand how government works, participate in it, and develop leadership skills. Students form delegations (often from their school) and take on roles such as legislators (writing, debating, and voting on bills), lobbyists, attorneys and witnesses for mock trials, members of the executive branch, or media/press corps. Preparation begins shortly after school begins in August and students travel to Columbia, SC in November for the YIG Conference.
Athletes Bridging and Connecting (Varsity Athletes)
Sponsor- The Athletic Department
The goal of the program is to establish and build relationships between our high school varsity athletes and our preschool and lower school students. Varsity athletes attend recess with lower school classes several times per semester.
Ambassadors
Sponsor- The Admissions Department, Marian Martin and Diana Van Houten
The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students in grades 6–12 who reflect the values and mission of First Presbyterian Academy. Ambassadors support Admissions, welcome new and prospective students, and represent the school at events. Interested students apply in early April and complete an application, receive teacher recommendations, and interview with the Admissions Team, before a final selection is made. Selected Ambassadors are notified before the end of the school year and begin service in late summer. The program is divided into three levels:
Armor Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)
Upperclassmen selected for this prestigious role help lead campus tours, speak on student panels, host shadow students and support events on both the Shannon Forest and Downtown campuses.
Impact Ambassadors (Grades 7-10)
Impact Ambassadors support school events, host shadow students, and mentor the Junior Ambassadors. This level focuses on developing leadership skills through active involvement.
Junior Ambassadors (Grade 6)
Junior Ambassadors are paired with Impact Ambassadors and participate in events to begin building leadership experience at FPA. They will also be trained on how to host shadow day students.
Art Club
Sponsor - Maridel Shaw
The Crusader Art Club is meant to provide creative and artistic appreciation for students. The CAC members participate in individual, school-wide, and community based art projects, which will increase each student’s confidence as well as help, develop a sense of school and community pride. Students will be building leadership, teamwork, social skills, building self-esteem, and critical thinking skills, which will help students not only in the Art Club, but when they continue their education in post education atmosphere. Students do not have to have artistic skill to join the club, but must have an appreciation of the visual arts.
Marketing and Communications Club
Sponsor - Sheila Price
The Marketing & Communications Club was created to empower students to bring their creativity to life through real-world experiences. From capturing the perfect photo to producing dynamic videos, designing eye-catching graphics, and hosting engaging podcasts, members get hands-on opportunities to tell FPA’s story in exciting new ways. Students learn to see campus life through a marketing lens—interviewing their peers, covering school events, and gaining valuable media experience that blends creativity, communication, and purpose.