Chess Club

"The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it… Life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with.” – Benjamin Franklin
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​Children can participate in our weekly chess club that meets after school.  
  • Open for grades 2-8
  • Traditional boards and a life-size board on the playground will both be used
  • Joining in competition with others outside the school is a goal
During COVID-19 school closures, chess club has been shifted online so students and mentors can continue to play and develop their skills.

Academic Endeavors

  • MATHCOUNTS -The school has a competitive MATHCOUNTS team which meets year round.  Some students love math. Other students fear math. MATHCOUNTS is the place for both. MATHCOUNTS provides engaging math programs to U.S. middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes towards math and problem solving.
  • Archdiocesan Faith Challenge Bowl -  This is a competition to highlight our students’ knowledge of the Catholic Faith. Teams of four students from each school compete in the Intermediate division (grades 4-5) and Middle School division (grades 6-8) during the Spring Semester. 
  • Central New Mexico Science & Engineering Research Challenge - Students in Mid-school compete for the Science and Engineering  Research Fair.  The Science and Engineering Fair programs in New Mexico encourage inquisitive students to explore their environment in a systematic, logical manner. Science & Engineering Fair programs provide an opportunity for the best young scientists from around the State to share ideas, showcase cutting-edge science projects and compete for awards and scholarship money.​​
  • Geography Bee - The National Geographic GeoBee is an annual competition designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world.  Students in grades four through eight (4-8) from nearly 10,000 schools across the United States will compete in the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee for a chance to win college scholarships and the glory of being the National Geographic GeoBee Champion.
  • Scripps National Spelling Bee - Students 1st-8th can compete for the National Spelling Bee.  Since 1925, children across America have participated in school, local and regional bees with the singular hope of making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. This year, 11 million students will join in the experience.​

Service

​For several years now, the Junior St. Vincent De Paul Club has undertaken service projects which have been student led.  The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization, inspiring people of all ages to relieve the suffering of the poor. Vincentians perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy in a spirit of humility and simplicity; assisting the poor with basic necessities like food, rent, utilities and more.

Additional Opportunities in Art

At Holy Child, art is an essential part of our community. Students learn about, view and create great works of art associated with the Western Tradition.  In years past, children were able to develop their artistic skills beyond the curriculum at the school with an extracurricular Masterpiece Art Club that met on campus after school.

Additional Opportunities in Music

HCCS provides after school opportunities for choral instruction and private lessons for violin, cello, viola, and piano at the campus.  The elective school choir performs during school masses and is showcased in the metro area for occasional events. We have an additional Christmas choir that performs a Christmas Concert/Children's Mass on Christmas Eve.  Qualifying string instrument musicians also have an opportunity to participate in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program.  For further information about music during the school day, please see our Music page.

Theater

Theater has an integral part to play in our curriculum. In previous years the school produced two plays under the directions of talented volunteers and/or staff members. Generally these plays come from the Classical cannon such as the works of Shakespeare, Aeschylus, and Chesterton. Rehearsals are after school with productions usually happening in December and or April/May.  When we perform, we do our best to glorify God and His creation and constantly ask for the intercession of St. Genesius, patron saint of Theater. 
Some of Our Prior Productions:
 A Charlie Brown Christmas
Macbeth
Julius Casesar
A Midsummer Night's Dream
The Second Shepherd’s Play
The Nativity: A Christmas Story
A Christmas in Wales
Scenes From Shakespeare