Extracurricular Activities - Curriculum and Extra-Curricular Programs - School

Extracurricular Activities

Music Lessons: Students are able to arrange for onsite piano or violin lessons. Depending on the student's school schedule, these lessons often can be scheduled during the school day.
Villa Sinfonia: NDV is home to the Villa Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra. The Villa Sinfonia is made up of musicians of all levels, from school-aged children most of whom take violin lessons at NDV to well known local professional musicians. The orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall, as well as throughout Europe.
Parent Education Programs: NDV provides information to its families about parent workshops that are available throughout the Bay Area on such topics as raising teenagers or coping with peer pressure. NDV has also hosted speakers for parent meetings at the school. Recent speakers have made presentations on the following topics: Spirituality and the Family, Safe Use of the Internet at Home, and Raising Responsible Teenagers.
School Council-Sponsored Talent Show: A school favorite, the annual Talent Show offers students an opportunity to showcase their dancing, acting, singing, recitation, and musical skills in a supportive environment. All students, including kindergartners, are invited to audition, rehearse, and perform their talents in front of the enthusiastic NDV community. Student Council representatives orchestrate the entire event from start to finish, serving as emcees, light/sound technicians, ticket sellers, and backstage monitors.
Art Show: Though students work on exciting art projects throughout the year, a formal exhibit of their work is on display during the annual Art Show. Representative student work in all media, from charcoal sketches to ceramic sculpture, is viewed by a visiting and appreciative public.
Trip to France: Students from all grades and their families are invited to participate in a trip to France over Spring Break. These trips, typically offered every two years, are organized by an education travel company whose bilingual travel guides offer cultural, historical, and artistic insights into various regions of France. The trip offers an opportunity for students to put their French-speaking skills to work and to allow their French history and art lessons to come alive.
Eighth Grade Play: NDV's school year culminates with the Eighth Grade play, performed in the school's spacious theater/auditorium. The students are cast in a full-length musical, and are fortunate enough to make their big debut under the guidance of a professional stage director, music director, and choreographer. After months of theater rehearsals and preparation, the eighth grade students take stage, revealing not only their many musical and theatrical talents, but also their collaborative spirit, perseverance, and commitment. These high-quality productions typically receive rave reviews from members of both the school and local community, and are a source of delight and inspiration to younger students.