Coffee, tea, or... chocolate? Explore America’s once-popular tradition of drinking chocolate as an adult social beverage. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we’ll look back at chocolate’s role in colonial and Revolutionary-era life, including chocolate houses and the specialized chocolate pots used to serve this rich drink. Sample small-batch craft chocolate with spice inclusions to explore flavor profiles, learn how historic drinking chocolate differed from today’s hot chocolate, and make your own custom drinking chocolate mix using cacao powder and spices inspired by colonial-era tastes.Tuition includes all food fees. Please bring a jar to take home your chocolate spice mix.

Work together to make bubble tea and delicious dumplings from scratch. Brew tea, cook tapioca pearls, and customize your bubble tea with a variety of flavors and toppings. Then prepare dumpling fillings, learn simple wrapping techniques, and cook and enjoy your creations. Ages 10+PLEASE NOTE: The class fee is for one adult and one child. 
Please register under adult’s name only.

Winter Term Registration is Closed. Registration opens February 24 for Spring Term. Learn English and build your speaking and writing confidence. ACE is pleased to fully fund these classes for those who live or work in Arlington. The daytime class is co-sponsored by the Robbins Library. Level 2 (High Beginner): For students who have basic understanding of the simple sentence structure in English, and the following concepts: the alphabet, numbers 0–100, subject pronouns, the be verbs (am, is, are), and everyday verbs and adjectives. Learn the simple present, past, and future tenses while building real conversational confidence. Level 3 (Low Intermediate): For students who have taken the Level 2 course or who are familiar with those grammar concepts. Build your confidence, improve your speaking skills, and learn more advanced grammar, including modals (e.g., must, should), adverbs of frequency, first and second conditionals, and comparative and superlative adjectives. Level 4 (High Intermediate): For students who have completed ACE Level 3 or are familiar with its grammar concepts. Practice communicating on a wider range of topics with greater accuracy and fluency while learning advanced grammar, including passive voice, third conditionals, and future forms. Please note: Priority goes to Arlington residents. Register for one session only. If you live outside of Arlington, please add yourself to our “non-resident waitlist” class and we will contact you if we have space. Attendance Policy: Limited to one class per person per term. Students are expected to attend regularly. If you have to miss a class, you must notify the instructor in advance. Students who do not show up for the first class without notifying the instructor will be removed from the roster and will not be allowed to register for the following term. Students who miss more than three classes in a term will not be allowed to register for the following term.

Early Morning P.E. Power is designed to get you physically active before school while having fun with friends. Research has shown that exercise improves brainpower and concentration. Get your blood pumping and start your day primed to learn.

Bring your imagination to the table and turn your meals into masterpieces. Follow step-by-step instructions to create scenes—underwater worlds, outer space, palaces, and lighthouses—using a variety of foods. When you’re finished, you can eat your artwork, making creativity extra delicious.

Your novel draft is complete. Now what? Move from draft to focused revision through craft instruction, practical exercises, and guided workshop time. Explore genre, story structure, character arcs, pacing, and point of view while learning techniques to identify structural challenges, build on your narrative strengths, and refine your manuscript. You’ll create a personalized editing plan tailored to your goals and genre, giving you the tools to evaluate your revisions and take the next step toward publication—whether querying agents, self-publishing, or working with an editor.Prerequisite: a completed or near-complete novel or novella draft for whatever your target audience is.Please note: Due to circumstances our of our control, the instructor is no longer able to teach the class in person and it will now be held on Zoom.

Immortalize your furry (or feathered or scaly) friend with a one-of-a-kind embroidered pet portrait. Whether you’re brand new to embroidery or a seasoned stitcher, you’ll learn how to turn a favorite photo into a custom embroidered line portrait. Before the first session, you’ll work with the instructor to select the perfect image so she can prepare a personalized pattern just for you. Create a 6-inch piece in the October class, or make a 4-inch version perfect for hanging as a holiday ornament in December. All materials are provided.

Learn the basics of embroidery. We’ll start with a practice swatch to explore the different stitches. Then you’ll have the opportunity to create and complete a structured design you can display in your home. Embroidery rewards patience and focus. While it moves at its own pace, it’s also forgiving, making it ideal for anyone who wants to create with their hands without fear of mistakes. Some materials provided. Open to new and returning students. NOTE: Students should bring a pair of scissors to each class (embroidery or other sharp scissors are fine). Instructor will provide basic materials to get you started and, at the end of the first class, will provide a short supply list to pursue your individual projects.

Please note: the catalog had the classes switched. Severina will be teaching the Gentle Stretching class, and Cindy will be teaching the Full-Body class.Essentrics lengthens and strengthens every muscle in the body through a dynamic combination of movements. This completely original full-body workout draws on the flowing movements of tai chi and ballet to create a balanced, flexible, and pain-free body. Essentrics rebalances the body, prevents and treats injuries, unlocks tight joints, and develops lean, strong, and flexible muscles with immediate changes to your posture. Full-Body: A faster tempo with additional emphasis on toning. Gentle Stretching: For all ages and fitness levels and for those who are looking for a gentle, slow-tempo class that will help produce greater joint mobility. For all classes, please bring a yoga mat and small towel.

Form your own architectural firm and start imagining the skyscraper of your dreams. From the mathematical calculations every good architect must make to the history of how the elevator revolutionized Manhattan, you’ll learn about key elements of architectural design and engineering. Create a stunning blueprint that considers sustainability, transportation, and green spaces. Then bring your vision to life with a LEGO model. Present your architectural masterpiece to your peers and showcase why your tower will be the defining structure of the 21st century.

Get a fun, hands-on introduction to Artificial Intelligence. Explore basic AI concepts like facial recognition, pattern detection, and machine learning using Scratch and Google’s Teachable Machine. You’ll train simple models with images, build interactive games and animations, and watch your creations respond to real-world inputs. You’ll develop skills in logic, problem-solving, and creativity while discovering how AI is shaping our world.

Discover the luminous versatility of soft pastels. Blend, layer, and mix colors to create depth, movement, and texture. Explore composition, develop color schemes, and experiment with a variety of papers and supports. Topics may include landscapes, still lifes, and abstract color studies, inspired by the great pastel masters. Whether capturing realistic light or exploring expressive mark-making, you’ll find a balance of structure and creative freedom. Demonstrations, feedback, and group discussions support the growth of your personal pastel style. All levels welcome. The class materials list can be found here.

Explore the world around you through the lens of a camera while learning DSLR photography techniques and the basics of composition, lighting, and creative expression. Each class features a fun activity or challenge, from outdoor photography and portraits to long exposure with glow sticks and creating a doppelganger through double exposure.

Unlock the stories hidden in your DNA and begin building a family tree with greater confidence. Learn how to interpret DNA test results, understand ancestry regions and DNA matches, and use those connections to discover more about your family history. We’ll explore how to build and expand a family tree, find and attach historical records such as census, marriage, and obituary documents, and use tools available through Ancestry.com to uncover new connections and strengthen your research. No prior genealogy experience is required—just curiosity about your roots.

Discover the fascinating realm of lucid dreaming—a magical state where you realize you’re dreaming while immersed in the dream itself. This extraordinary ability occurs during the approximately one-third of our lives that we spend sleeping. Explore personalized techniques to induce lucidity, master control over your dreams, and unlock a spectrum of possibilities—from joyful adventures to enhancing creativity, boosting self-confidence, and even resolving nightmares. Gain profound insights into interpreting the meaning of your dreams as you experience them, transforming sleep into a realm of boundless exploration and personal growth.

Learn to hand sew three-dimensional “puffies” out of felt—everything from food, animals, shapes, and even emojis. We’ll sew and stuff our puffies, then embellish them with sparkles and embroidery. Bring your own designs and ideas or find inspiration from the class.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, design a lush, naturalistic centerpiece to decorate your holiday table. Learn simple techniques and design basics to ignite your creativity. Your fabulous, fall-inspired centerpiece will combine flowers in a rich autumn palette with botanical elements, textured foliage, and dried fruit.