Sanford Middle School's Doctor Who Club has quickly become one of the most popular after-school activities this year and the enthusiasm speaks for itself. The club got its start during the 2024-2025 school year by sixth-grade teacher Abby Hanson, a longtime Doctor Who fan who wanted to share something she loved with her students during her first year of teaching. After showing the British sci-fi series in class, the response was hard to ignore. "I got 10-plus kids interested right away," she said, "So I was like, okay, I'll start it." The club launched with around 15 members and has since doubled this year. I have 30 students signed up,” Hanson said. Every Tuesday after dismissal until 4 p.m., members get together to watch episodes of Doctor Who in order. Hanson brings a lot to the table beyond just hitting play. She keeps the conversation going with discussions about plot, storytelling, and production history, drawing on her deep knowledge of the show's behind-the-scenes world. "We talk about how the show has had an influence on sci-fi, whether it's film, television, or literature," she explained. "Doctor Who has had a huge influence, and the kids are really into exploring that." One of the best things about the club is that no prior knowledge of Doctor Who is required. Some students came in already familiar with the show, while others were discovering it for the first time. Either way, the welcoming atmosphere and the excitement of watching together has been enough to get everyone invested. The students are clearly hooked. Sixth-grader Zoey Bolduc, returning for her second year, was one of the kids who pushed for the club to exist in the first place. After Hanson introduced the show in class, Zoey thought it was a no-brainer. "I told her that she should make a club about this. I thought that would be really cool." Now, her favorite part is simple: "Mostly just hanging out, watching Doctor Who, and talking about the show." Fellow member, sixth-grader, Ana Grant, put it best: "The show is very fun,” Grant said. “You can't look away, because you're going to miss whatever's happening."

Doctor Who Club at Sanford Middle School Keeps Growing

Sanford School Department

February 25, 2026

Sanford Middle School's Doctor Who Club has quickly become one of the most popular after-school activities this year and the enthusiasm speaks for itself.

The club got its start during the 2024-2025 school year by sixth-grade teacher Abby Hanson, a longtime Doctor Who fan who wanted to share something she loved with her students during her first year of teaching. 

After showing the British sci-fi series in class, the response was hard to ignore. "I got 10-plus kids interested right away," she said, "So I was like, okay, I'll start it." The club launched with around 15 members and has since doubled this year. I have 30 students signed up,” Hanson said.

Every Tuesday after dismissal until 4 p.m., members get together to watch episodes of Doctor Who in order. Hanson brings a lot to the table beyond just hitting play. She keeps the conversation going with discussions about plot, storytelling, and production history, drawing on her deep knowledge of the show's behind-the-scenes world. 

"We talk about how the show has had an influence on sci-fi, whether it's film, television, or literature," she explained. "Doctor Who has had a huge influence, and the kids are really into exploring that."

One of the best things about the club is that no prior knowledge of Doctor Who is required. Some students came in already familiar with the show, while others were discovering it for the first time. Either way, the welcoming atmosphere and the excitement of watching together has been enough to get everyone invested.

The students are clearly hooked. Sixth-grader Zoey Bolduc, returning for her second year, was one of the kids who pushed for the club to exist in the first place. After Hanson introduced the show in class, Zoey thought it was a no-brainer. "I told her that she should make a club about this. I thought that would be really cool." Now, her favorite part is simple: "Mostly just hanging out, watching Doctor Who, and talking about the show."

Fellow member, sixth-grader, Ana Grant, put it best: "The show is very fun,” Grant said. “You can't look away, because you're going to miss whatever's happening."