COMMITTED TO STUDENT GROWTH
Our Classes
Our goal is to help young people find their voice in a world that often tells them to just listen. By implementing various activities, our students are able to formulate how they want to be perceived as a strong and confident speaker. Classes consist of working on speaking drills, activities, and training for specific events. These events can be used to compete at competitions, but they will also be used to helped develop general speaking skills. These events help build confidence while presenting, research skills, persuasive speaking, writing skills, logic & reasoning, analytical thinking, and knowledge of current events.
If you are interested in creating a zoom class, please let us know!
Elementary
Speech & Debate
​Elementary School Speech & Debate - $906
----This class is perfect for students in the 3rd-5th grade. It is designed to help young students find joy and confidence in public speaking. Students will play speaking games, perform speeches and stories, and practice researching prompts. Through the school year, we may learn events like Spontaneous Argumentation, Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Storytelling, Declamation, TEDtalk Writing, and Congressional Debate. Students will prepare events they can take to elementary tournaments offered through the year. Our goal is to help each student find a little more confidence in public speaking that they can use in all areas of their life. Class size is limited to 8-9 students.
Mondays - 5:30-7:00 PM
January 13 - May 19 - (16 classes) - No class 1/20, 2/17, 4/7
Taught by Coach Alison Kalmus
Tuesdays - 5:15-6:45 PM
January 21 - May 13 - (16 classes) - No class 4/8
Taught by Coach Dalton & Coach Maya Origel & Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
Wednesdays- 5:30 7:00PM January 22 - May 14 - (16 classes) - No class 4/9
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
Thursdays - 4:00-5:30 PM
January 23 - May 15 - (16 classes) - No class 4/10
Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
Fridays - 4:00-5:30 PM
January 24 - May 16 - (16 classes) - No class 4/11
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Fridays - 4:00-5:30 PM
January 24 - May 16 - (16 classes) - No class 4/11
Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
Middle School Speech & Debate
Middle School Speech & Debate - $947
---This class is designed to enrich 6th-8th grade students' public speaking skills by building confidence, analytical skills, research skills, and quick thinking through creating and practicing speech & debate events. Students engage in presentation and research games and exercises in order to build the skills needed to use public speaking in other aspects of their lives such as class presentations, students elections, science fair projects, and internships and college interviews. Through the school year, we may learn events like Spontaneous Argumentation, Original Oratory (persuasive writing), Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous, Storytelling, Declamation, TEDtalk Writing, and Congressional Debate. Students will prepare events to take to the tournaments offered throughout the year. Students are welcome to compete with their school team or with the Speech & Debate Institute's team as we want to ensure support for all of our students' goals. Class size is limited to 8-9 students.
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Tuesdays - 3:45-5:15 PM
January 21 - May 13 - (16 classes) - No class 4/8
Taught by Coach Dalton & Coach Maya Origel
Thursdays - 5:30-7:00 PM
January 23 - May 15 - (16 classes) - No class 4/10
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
Fridays - 4:00-5:30 PM
January 24 - May 16 - (16 classes) - No class 4/11
Taught by Coach Alison Kalmus
Saturdays - 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
January 25 - May 17 - (16 classes) - No class 4/12
Taught by Coach Alison Kalmus
**Advanced class options available to 8th Grade students. Description in the High School section**
High School
Speech & Debate
High School + 8th Grade SPEECH - $1215
---This class is designed to focus on 8th-12th graders who are wishing to compete at speech tournaments. Students wanting to work on their individual speech events with guidance and feedback from coaches should take this class. This course will focus on events like Original Oratory, Informative, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, and Extemporaneous Speaking. These events will challenge their abilities to analyze and speak on the spot, require them to research and write entire speeches, and work on performance skills. Students are welcome to compete with their school team or the S&D Institute as we want to ensure support for all of our students' goals. Class size is limited to 8 students.
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Tuesdays: 6:45-8:45 PM - 2 hour class
January 21 - May 13 - (16 classes)
No class 4/8
​Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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High School + 8th Grade DEBATE - $1215
---This class is designed to focus on 8th-12th graders who are wishing to compete at debate tournaments. Students wishing to improve in MSPDP debate with their school programs will benefit from the skills of this class. This course will focus on Parliamentary Debate and Public Forum Debate. They will start with introducing the structure of the particular debate, how to research effectively, the structure of case writing, creating rebuttals, and how to respond to your opponents. Students wanting to work on their debate events with guidance and feedback from coaches should take this class. Students are welcome to compete with their school team or the S&D Institute as we want to ensure support for all of our students' goals. Class size is limited to 8 students.
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Thursdays: 5:30-7:30 PM - 2 hour class
January 23 - May 15 - (16 classes)
No class 4/10
​Taught by Coach Poema Oleas Mekhitarian
Private 1-on-1 Lessons
Contact us to schedule a time
Private lessons are for students that work better in a 1-on-1 environment. These lessons can be targeted for general public speaking, writing, and any speech or debate event. Based on your specific event needs, we will pair you up with the right coach.
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Book Coaches Here:
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Coach Maggie: https://calendly.com/maggieewoodward
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Coach Maya: calendly.com/mayalianaorigel
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Coach Edward: https://calendly.com/edward_rumbos-perez ​
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Coach Frida: https://calendly.com/ramirezfrida99
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Coach Poema: https://calendly.com/poema001
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Coach Alison: https://calendly.com/aekalmus
1st and 2nd Grade Speech
1st and 2nd Grade Speech & Debate - $793
---This class is for 1st-2nd graders to learn the basics of public speaking. They will work on speaking clearly, annunciating, and learning how to present an argument. Our focus is on building confidence and having fun for this age group. They will act out stories, argue about their likes and dislikes, and practice reading speeches from TEDtalks kids in order to build up their skills. This class will be a foundational tool in any child's life, particularly helpful to children who continue down the speech and debate path. Class size is limited to 8-9 students. ​
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Wednesdays: 4:00-5:30 PM
January 22 - May 14 - (16 classes)
No class 4/9
​Taught by Coach Maya Origel
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Thursdays: 4:00-5:30 PM
January 23 - May 15 - (16 classes)
No class 4/10
Taught by Coach Maya Origel
Creative and Essay Writing
Elementary School Writing - $906
----This class is tailored to help 3rd-5th grade students improve their writing abilities, both for academic essay writing and creative writing. Through English Language Arts skill-building exercises and assignments, students will become not only more organized, creative, and better at essay writing, but also more proficient in structure, grammar, and giving a voice to their ideas. Incorporating figurative language, they will animate their writing with vivid details, characters, and well-researched subjects. Students will study how to revise and edit their work to produce writing they are proud to submit. Class size is limited to 8-9 students.
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Mondays: 4:00-5:30 PM
January 13 - May 19 - (16 classes)
No class 1/20, 2/17, 4/7
Taught by Coach Alison Kalmus
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Middle School Writing Essay/Creative - $1215
---This class is tailored to help 6th-8th grade students improve their writing abilities, both for academic essay writing and creative writing. Students will be challenged with fun and engaging writing exercises to improve grammar, structure, and giving a voice to their ideas. Through English Language Arts skills-building exercises and assignments, students will become not only more organized, creative, and better essayists but also proficient in other written styles needed for academics. Incorporating figurative language, they will animate their writing with vivid ideas, characters, and well-researched subject details. We will also study how revision and editing polish their work. Class size is limited to 8-9 students.
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Saturdays: 9:30-11:30 AM - 2 Hour class
January 25 - May 17 - (16 classes) - No class 4/12
No class 4/12
Taught by Coach Alison Kalmus