Chess for Schools and Homeschools

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Schools We Serve

We serve public, private, and homeschooled students in Hampton Roads, from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Our current school partnerships include:

Registration links are provided above when available.

Why Chess in Schools?

Countless studies conducted around the world prove that chess helps children perform better in school and on standardized tests.  Systematic chess study and practice helps children with focus, planning, decision-making, impulse control, calculations, pattern recognition, and more.

Programs We Offer

• After-school Clubs
• In-school instruction
• Workshops

How It Works

• You decide the focus of your club – whether it’s competition, academic growth, life skills, or a mix- and we’ll design a program that aligns with your vision
  
  
• In partnership with the Virginia Chess Federation, we offer 10 free chess sets to schools launching a chess program for the first time
  
  
• If you would like us to coach your program, our tuition costs are only $10/student/week + a $20 registration fee each session. We have a 10 student minimum, and 20-24 student maximum, per class. From teaching the curriculum to building team spirit, our coaches are here to help your school’s chess program thrive. Learn more about our coaches HERE
  
• If you are looking for a staff-led program, we can provide FREE guidance and ongoing mentorship to any school staff member interested in starting and running a chess club
   
• We can assist in purchasing high-quality chess equipment at special below-retail pricing
  
  
• We can also help your school plan and run a successful chess tournament from start to finish

Let’s get started! Complete our Interest Form, and we will be in touch shortly!

Curriculum

Our Coaches have extensive experience using a variety of curricula. Once students have completed a beginner course with us (one 12-week session), we provide our coaches a list of topics that are appropriate to cover with students as they progress. Coaches are free to cover material at their discretion, or come up with their own topics based on their best knowledge of their students and what they need.

What Schools Need to Provide

Support/Club Liaison

We’ve worked with every type of setup, from teacher-sponsors who manage check-in, check-out, and classroom behavior to PTA-led programs, and those exclusively with parent volunteers assisting. Our programs run best when there is additional support from teacher-sponsors or volunteers actively involved in the classroom. They often serve as the liaison between us and the school, assist with check in and dismissal procedures, and provide extra supervision. This allows our coaches to maximize their time with students, and also ensures HRCA coaches are never left alone with a single student, per our Youth Protection Policy.

Adequate space for class

In addition to tables and chairs, we also like to store class equipment onsite for the duration of the club. This may be your free sets from VCF or our own sets on loan during the program.

Financial Aid

HRCA works hard to ensure that our tuition and fees are among the lowest of educational and sports offerings while providing quality staff and programming. We have limited financial assistance available, reserved for students with demonstrated financial need.   If you are not a Title I school and this applies to your students, families may complete our Financial Assistance Application HERE.  

Financial assistance includes payment plans, scholarships, and tuition waivers. Needs-based scholarships are available to ALL students, regardless of school, through our Joan H. Schlich Memorial Scholarship Fund. We are subject to limited funding, but we strive to turn no child away for inability to pay.

Title I Schools

Title 1 schools pay a flat rate of $800 per semester, per coach. HRCA will not accept direct parent-pay for Title 1 school tuition, because we want to ensure equal access to our programs. In these situations, we work with schools and PTAs to cover the costs, or rely on fundraising.  

HRCA is working hard to raise funds to cover ALL costs for Title 1 schools. If we do receive funding specifically for this purpose, we may be able to waive fees (in part or full) for Title 1 schools.  US Chess also provides grants to Title 1 schools that will provide additional free chess equipment and free US Chess memberships for members of the chess club.

Ready to get started?

If you are interested in starting a chess program at your school, please complete our Interest Form. If you would like HRCA coaches to provide instruction, the earlier you schedule, the more flexibility we have for days, times, and coach availability!

Once we establish the class format, we can send you a flyer with program details that you may share with students. We will also set up registration and payments, and ChessKid accounts (if applicable).

HRCA is insured and we can add your school as an additional insured if necessary.  Schools that require a coach to travel excessive distances (such as those on the fringes of our service area) or incur tolls may incur a travel surcharge. 

Related Links

Compilation of Chess and Education Research Studies

Chess Improves Academic Performance