Clubs & Activites
Our activities are specifically chosen to build student teamwork, leadership abilities, self confidence, and understanding of the world around them. And, as students would tell you, extracurricular activities are fun!
Knowledge Bowl
Knowledge Bowl is an interdisciplinary academic competition that encourages students to develop confidence, speed, and knowledge at metro-wide competitions. Students work together in teams of 5-6 students to complete one round of 45 written questions and three oral rounds of competition. Members of our team attend early morning practices every week year round, studying topics suited to both their strengths and weaknesses.They also work together to organize pancake breakfast fundraisers to pay for transportation to big meets, such as their trip to nationals in 2016. Throughout the year, students develop mutual respect for each other and for knowledge itself.
Our team has consistently placed among the top competitors in our meets by showing a great deal of commitment, poise, and promise. Several coaches from other organizations, including the director of Knowledge Bowl, complimented the gracious, compassionate nature of our students.
Coach: Jesse Bailey
Knowledge Bowl 2015-2016 Season Record
- Kick-off Meet: 1st Place/32 teams overall
- First Meet: 1 Place/47 teams overall
- Second Meet: 2nd Place/58 teams overall
- Grand Finale Meet: 1st Place/45 teams overall
- Attended National Academic Quiz Bowl Championship
LEGO League
Lego League is a highly competitive STEM robotics program that is offered in 80 countries around the world. Students research and present an innovative solution to a real-world problem, such as food safety or recycling. They also design and program robots to accomplish specific missions. They are judged on teamwork, creativity, research skills, presentation skills, understanding of technology, and more. Ramalynn Academy’s program is offered before and during school hours.
Coach: Jesse Bailey and Ramalynn Academy Parents
LEGO League 2016 Season Highlights
- Team Thor: 1st place in Head-to-Head Robot Challenge
- School Team Spirit Award
- Team Vulcan: 1st place in Robot Design and advancement to sectionals
Math Olympiad
Math Olympiad is a competition for students in grades 5-8. These math competitions are held once a month, from November through March, in the form of timed, multi-step story problems. Last year, nearly 170,000 students participated worldwide, including teams from all 50 states. Ramalynn Academy finished with the highest team achievement in Minnesota in both the 5/6th grade and 7/8th grade divisions, placing our students in the top 2% of the nation.
Director: Krishna Ramalingam
Chess club
Ramalynn Academy offers a weekly opportunity for students of all ability levels to join together to play chess. During the winter, students from 1st through 8th grade gather together for a half hour once per week to learn the fundamentals of chess, and in turn compete against one another. Older students have the opportunity to mentor younger students in strategy and technique in a low pressure environment. The Chess Club culminates with a double elimination tournament crowning the school champion.
Coach: Jesse Bailey
Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students in grades 2-8. By challenging teams to solve problems divergently, this program develops each student’s ability to think outside the box. Participants learn to work together to come up with as many solutions as possible and to decide which solution is best for them. Odyssey of the Mind is hands-on for students and hands-off for adults. Coaches and mentors are there to provide materials when the children request them and show students how to solve disagreements amicably. The students take pride in their solution because they are truly making each and every decision themselves. This program builds cooperation, leadership, imagination, and creativity.
Coach: Ramalynn Academy Faculty & Parents
The Stock Market Game
The Stock Market Game is an online simulation of global capital markets. Students participate in the game, as small groups, from September to April. Each team receives lessons on personal finance and investment and are then challenged to invest $100,000 into stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in the simulation. This program is an effective way to prepare students for a financially independent future.
Coordinators: Ramalynn Academy Faculty & Parents
Ramalynn Sewist Group
The Ramalynn Sewist Group meets bi-weekly for students in grades 4-8. The goal of our group is to empower students to have the confidence and comfort to create. No previous sewing experience is expected or needed. We will use cloth, thread (and some machines!) to create masks, bags, and even clothing!
Directors: Anne Scherman and Meredith Mattson