Our In-School Program, Purpose and Mission

Consistent with the mission of the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL), the In-School Program challenges students academically by creating a dynamic and carefully measured curricular model for classroom use. When implemented over a period of time by our valued school partners, we seek to definitively prove chess can improve the academic performance of our students.

An in-school chess precedent has been set by America’s Foundation for Chess, a Seattle-based company, through their standards-based 2nd and 3rd grade classroom curriculum called First Move ™. First Move is currently serving over 50,000 students in 26 states, including Missouri. Similarly, Chess-in-the-schools in New York City serves 20,000 students in 76 schools in the five boroughs.

Afterschool Programming

The CCSCSL strives to create a network of participating after school programs in the Saint Louis community. The Chess Club provides instructors, equipment and curriculum to after school programs. We bring the boards, the sets, the instructors and the fun, to you!

Benefits

• Professional instruction ranging from beginner to intermediate playProfessional, tournament applicable equipment
• Thorough curriculum, created for the sole purpose of instructing kids and young adults
• Field trip to state of the art chess facility, guided by GM Ben Finegold, includes tour, exhibition play and pizza party. Transportation not included.

Recommendations

• Class size must not exceed 10 students with students ranging from grades K-2
• Class size must not exceed 16 students with students ranging from grades 3-12
• Classes must be moderated by school staff at all times
• Classes should meet at least two times a week for the purposes of retention.

Goals and Future

• Network-Wide events including tournaments, seminars and camps
• Participation in National scholastic events
• Scholarship opportunities for gifted students. 

Coaching Program

The focus of the Coaching Program is to create a sustainable network of participating afterschool chess programs. After the first 16-32 weeks of the program, the coach will be able to work with students independently, using the CCSCSL as a resource and coordinator for league and tournament play. Once the initial investment is made, the school benefits as its volunteer becomes an asset to the institution. The training that is provided by the CCSCSL contains full instruction on the curriculum in order to build a foundation for both new chess clubs and already existing clubs. This is the most efficient and inexpensive way to bring chess to Saint Louis students.

Immediate Benefits

• 8 boards and chess sets for 16 students and demonstration board
• Full membership to the CCSCSL for the Coach
• Official Chess Coach T-Shirt
• Ongoing Benefits
• 4 hours a month of private lessons given at the CCSCSL, personalized to Coach’s schedule for 16 weeks a semester
• Private lessons include full instruction on the curriculum for the betterment of the chess program

Program Rewards

• Field Trip to the CCSCSL, transportation excluded, including a tour, presentation, chess-related activities, and a pizza lunch
• Certificate of Achievement from the CCSCSL

Pricing

• $750 for 16 weeks
• $1,500 for 32 weeks

Please tell us more about your school!

We will be in touch to discuss bringing chess to your school or district. Or, you can contact our Scholastics Coordinator, Alex Vergilesov, by calling 314.681.3073 or e-mailing aver...@saintlouischessclub.org. 

Field Trips to the Chess Club (Bring your Class!)

We have a first-rate staff here at the chess club ready and waiting to excite and challenge your students, whether they be budding grandmasters, or unsure that chess and fun should share the same sentence. The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis offers a participatory scholastic field trip opportunity to all schools wishing to bring students to the club.

The visit starts with a tour of the club, including our world-class tournament hall where the 2011 U.S. Championship will be held in the Spring. Following the tour, students will be treated to a lecture/fun session requiring their participation, by one of the chess club staff.  The entire visit will last approximately two hours.

The special group admission price is $5.00 per student, plus the cost for snack, or lunch, if either is chosen.  

• Lunch - $6.00 per student, includes a PB& J or ham sandwich, cookie and bottled water, or juice drink.
• Snack - $3.00 per student, includes a cookie and bottled water or juice drink.

I would like to schedule a field trip for my classroom, or school. Click here to get the pieces moving!