Extracurriculars
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The Children's House and Compass Junior High offer extracurricular opportunities for 2nd through 8th year students.
Athletics Purpose Statement
Organized team sports provide an opportunity for student-athletes to compete, play, and learn every time they come to practice and play in a game. Aspects of health and character are developed around competition including teamwork, individual goals, cooperation, how to win and lose, confidence, humility, and good sportsmanship. Our athletics program fosters an environment that supports our children in becoming the best versions of themselves.
Extracurricular Offerings:
Extracurriculars are driven by student interest and parent support:
Student Extracurricular Interest Tool
Please fill out this athletics interest tool and/or this clubs interest tool to help plan for a fun year ahead. This tool is meant to help families share and plan their extracurricular activities together.
Volunteer to Coach or Assist
Volunteers are needed for all sports, clubs, and levels. Please, fill out this form if you are willing to coach or assist. We do not need expert coaches, just adults who would like to help so that we can have these teams!
Elementary Athletics
Our elementary teams (2nd-5th grades) are known as the Children’s House Comets!
Volunteer coaches are needed for all sports and levels.
Please fill out this form if you are willing to coach or assist.
Fall
Cross Country (3rd-5th) Comets
Registration deadline: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Registration: Final Forms
Grand Traverse Area Youth League (GTAYL)
Cost: $100.00
Season: September 8 - October 17, 2026 (approx)
Cross-Country is open to boys and girls. Students will run a one-mile course. Teams will be formed at each elementary school with enough participants registered to field a team and where a volunteer coach is available. In the event of low enrollment or lack of a volunteer coach, schools may be combined and/or refunds may be given.
Girls Basketball (2nd-3rd) Comets
Registration deadline: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $74.00 (estimate)
Season: September 15 - October 22, 2026 (approx)
The season begins in September will run for approximately six weeks. Teams will practice 1-3 days a week and will begin competitions after the second week of practice. Teams will be formed at each elementary school that have enough participants registered to field a team and where a volunteer coach is available. In the event of low enrollment or lack of a volunteer coach, schools may be combined and/or refunds may be given.
Girls Basketball (4th-5th) Comets
Registration deadline: October 10, 2026
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $100 (estimate)
Season: October - December 2026 (approx)
Practice: Practices will begin in late October. Practices will run 1-3 days per week after school. Exact practice days and times will be determined by the availability of the volunteer coaches. Following the close of registration, your student’s coaches will contact you regarding a detailed schedule. 8-game season, beginning in November. Games will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except Thanksgiving Day. The schedule of games will be shared by the coaches.
Winter
Boys Basketball (4th-5th) Comets
Registration deadline: December 12, 2025
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $93 (estimate)
Season: January - February 2026 (approx)
Practices will run 1-3 days per week after school. Exact practice days and times will be determined by the availability of the volunteer coaches. Following the close of registration, your student’s coaches will contact you regarding a detailed schedule. 8-game season starting mid-January, exact dates TBD. Games will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The schedule of games will be shared by the coaches.
Co-ed Volleyball (4th-5th) Comets
Registration deadline: January 23, 2026
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $93 (estimate)
Season: January 26-March 27, 2026, exact dates TBD
Practices run 2-3 days a week, depending on the coach.
Games start after the second week of practices and will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. Following the close of registration, your student’s coaches will contact you regarding a detailed schedule. Elementary Volleyball is co-ed and open to students in 4th - 5th grade. In the event of low enrollment or lack of a volunteer coach, schools may be combined and/or refunds may be given.
Spring
Boys Basketball (2nd-3rd) Comets
Registration deadline: Friday, March 20, 2026
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $80.00 (estimate)
Season: March 23 - May 15, 2026 (approx)
Practices will run 1-3 days per week after school. Exact practice days and times will be determined by the availability of the volunteer coach. Games start mid-April and will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. In the event of low enrollment or lack of a volunteer coach, schools may be combined and/or refunds may be given. You will be contacted by the LEAP Office in the event of low enrollment for your school.
Boys and Girls Track (3rd-6th*) Comets
Registration deadline: March 27, 2026
Registration: Final Forms
Grand Traverse Area Youth League (GTAYL)
Cost: $100
Season: April - May
Following the close of registration, your student’s coach will contact you regarding a more detailed schedule. Practice will start the week of April 6 and take place twice a week after school. Meets: TBD, at SEAS
*6th years also have the option of running with the West Middle School track team. Talk to our coach to decide which option is best for you.
Middle School Athletics
Our middle school teams (6th-8th grades) are known as the Compass Navigators and are joined by teammates from Pathfinder and Greenspire schools!
Volunteer coaches are needed for all sports and levels.
Please fill out this form if you are willing to coach or assist.
Fall
Girls Volleyball (6th-8th) Navigators
Registration deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
Registration: FinalForms
Cost: $140.00
Season: August 25 - October 24, 2026
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 25-26’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Cross Country (6th-8th)
Co-op with West Middle School
Registration Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $178.00 (estimate)
Season: August 26 - October 19, 2026
Practice: Before school starts: see LEAP website for details.
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 25-26’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Football (7th-8th)
Co-op with West Middle School
Registration Deadline: Friday, August 1, 2026
Register: LEAP Website
Cost: $350.00 (estimate)
Season: August 25 - October 24, 2026
Practice: Begins Monday, August 24th, 2026. Exact times TBD.
Games: Games are typically held on Wednesdays. 6 games will be scheduled between 9/11/24 and 10/25/24. Exact schedules TBD.
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 24-25’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year. a
Winter
Girls Basketball (6th-8th) Navigators
Registration deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025
Registration: FinalForms
Cost: $140.00
Season: January - March, 2026
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 24-25’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Spring
Co-ed Track (6th*-8th)
Co-op with West Middle School
Registration deadline: Friday, March 20
Registration: LEAP
Cost: $325.00 (estimate)
Season: April - May, 2026
Practices: Mondays, time TBD, see LEAP website for up to date information
*6th years also have the option of running with the Elementary track team. Talk to the coach to decide which option is best for you.
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 24-25’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Boys Tennis (6th-8th)
Co-op with West or East Middle School
Registration Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026
Registration: LEAP website
Cost: $190.00 (estimate)
Season: August 26 - October 19, 2026
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 25-26’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Boys Basketball (6th-8th) Navigators
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 10, 2026
Registration: FinalForms
Cost: $140.00
Season: October 28 - December 18, 2026
Practice: Practices will start on October 28, after school at The Children's House. These will be three times a week until games start and then two times a week.
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 24-25’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Girls Tennis (6th-8th)
Co-op with West or East Middle School
Registration deadline: Friday, March 20
Registration: LEAP
Cost: $190.00 (estimate)
Season: April - May, 2026
Match play runs for 6 weeks (weather dependent) from the start of practice. Exact match schedules TBD.
MHSAA requirements: all athletes must have their 24-25’ sports physical form on file from an examination on or after April 15 of the previous school year.
Clubs
Please fill out this interest tool to help plan for a fun year ahead. See all of our current options below.
Volunteers are needed! Please fill out this Volunteer Coach Interest form if you are willing to coach or assist. We do not need expert coaches, just adults who would like to help, so that we can have these clubs!
Compass Chess Club
4th - 8th years
Park Street Campus
Schedule: TBD
Coaches: TBD
You are invited to join Compass Chess Club! Each year we have so much practicing our chess skills and getting to know each other. Upper El through Junior High students and parents are encouraged to join!
Volunteers are needed! Please fill out this form if you are willing to coach or assist. We do not need expert coaches, just adults who would like to help so that we can have these clubs!
D&D Clubs (Dungeons And Dragons)
4th - 8th years
The Children's House & Compass Junior High
Schedule: Fridays at 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. beginning 10/24/25 (Park Street Campus)
Coaches: Gary Ruoff (Park Street Campus)
Long Lake Campus (4th-6th): Interest forming. Alan Palazzolo is willing to help, but we need one more advisor before scheduling — contact Andrew.
D&D is a roleplay and adventure game. The first time we meet, we will make our characters. If everyone is done with their characters we will start playing. We will supply the necessary equipment to play. A parent volunteer is need to be the supervisor and dungeon master.
Please let us know if your student might be interested by filling out this clubs interest tool, as we plan ahead.
Junior High MMUN Club
7th & 8th years
Deadline to register: September 15
Cost: Approx. $3,500 per participant
Junior High learners have a chance to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations as an extracurricular activity this school year. Participants will travel to Rome, Italy, for the MMUN conference April 21 - 24, 2026. The work will be completed outside of school hours, at home, or during our weekly afterschool meetings on Mondays beginning September 8. Learn more here or contact Carly Schultz, parent volunteer, for more information.
Navigators Robotics Club
6th - 8th years
Registration: Final Forms
Season: Winter/Spring
Cost: $75
Practice: Park Street Campus
Schedule:
January 7 — Final Sign-Up for Robotics
January 27 at 5:30 p.m. – Parent and Student Meeting at Compass to Kick Off Robotics (Choose your Bot style, Info for season)
February 9 – MEET-UP at Compass 3:30 — Pick-up Robot Kits, Online Set up for Instructions, Discuss goals
February 23 – MEET-UP at Compass 3:30 – Answer Build Questions, Next Steps, OnShape
March 9 – MEET-UP at Compass 3:30 – FINAL DUCKBOWL Compass Driving Challenge (We will have the duckbowl field available for other mini driving challenges in the weeks prior.)
March 23 – MEET-UP at Compass 3:30 – Answer Design and OnShape Questions
April 6 – MEET-UP at Compass 3:30 – Design Team Logos, Extras to Prepare for Tournament
April – Multi-School Tournament — DATE TBD
May – Multi-School Tournament — DATE TBD
Comets Robotics Club
2nd - 3rd years
Starts: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Schedule: Wednesdays, 3:45–5:00 p.m.
Runs: 8 weeks (skipping Thanksgiving)
Family Open House: December 17, 2025
Register: FinalForms by Oct 3rd
Coach needed: 1 additional coach/advisor to assist Arielle Castine — contact Andrew.
Love ROBOTS? Have a passion for MAKING? Ready to dip your toe in the world of CODING? This club for TCH 3rd through 5th-year learners will focus on building and coding unique robots in an after-school setting that is non-competitive, hands-on, and always fun. Our Robotics club for younger students proves that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is accessible for all. Please let us know if your student might be interested as we plan ahead. Fill out the interest form above. 16 students max.
Battle of the Books
4th - 5th years
Registration: January 9
Season: January until the competition in April
Battle of the Books: April 11
Battle of the Books is a team-based reading competition where 4th and 5th graders dive into eight pre-selected books, compete as a team in a quiz-style event (the Battle), and have fun reading with friends. All skill levels are welcome.
How Battle of the Books Works
Join a Team (December)• Organizers contact 4th & 5th grade teachers, students and parents with information
Parents sign up their readers with TCH coaches in early December
Coaches form balanced teams of 4-6 students and parents register their reader with Battle of the Books.
Official book list is revealed at the library in mid January
Read & Prepare (January - April)
Teams meet regularly to discuss books and practice answering quiz questions
Each student reads at least 2 of the 8 books (Audiobooks count!)
Readers work together to build knowledge of all 8 books
Participants work as one large group, and then are divided into smaller teams for craft projects and competition
Tournament Day (Mid-April) A full day of reading fun at TC West High School with Quiz Rounds and Creative Challenges:
Team Battles - Head-to-head trivia about the books
Lightning Trials - Fast-paced Jeopardy-style competition with multiple teams
Amphitheatre - Short skits or drawings inspired by the books
Special Tournament Events:
Author Visit - Meet a nationally recognized children's author from one of the 8 selected books (past visitors include Chris Grabenstein and Lindsay Currie)
Awards: Recognition for top scores, sportsmanship, team spirit, and creativity
The tournament portion is sponsored by the National Writers Series, Traverse City
We always need parent volunteers! Consider helping make BoB a success:- Snack Coordinators - Organize treats for practice sessions- Costume / Creative Helpers - Assist with costumes and ‘Coat of Arms’ poster- Quiz Writers - Love reading? Help create practice questions on spreadsheets
Get Involved!
Email us in early December: TCHbattleofthebooks@gmail.com
Learn more about the tournament: Battle of the Books Official Website
Other Community Offerings
Ski Club at Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain offers area schools an affordable ski pass, rental, and lesson program. To participate, we need a parent to volunteer as the Ski Club coordinator to take registration forms and to organize carpools. If you're interested in volunteering, fill out this volunteer interest form and select "Crystal Mountain Afterschool Ski Program Coordinator".
Check Out the Community Bulletin or LEAP
See our Community Bulletin for other extracurricular offerings recommended by Children's House parents, or share your family’s interest with others. If your student is interested in learning about other Traverse City community clubs or activities, please check out the LEAP website.
