We often speak of the “three A’s” at Colorado Academy—Academics, Arts, and Athletics. These are the pillars of our program and occupy the majority of a student’s time. Another major aspect of life in the Upper School is our club program, featuring a wide range of extra-curriculars that allow students to explore their interests and build leadership skills.

 

Some of our clubs are fixtures here and represent the types of activities one would expect in a high school: Community Council (our student government), Telesis (Yearbook), and Kokopelli (the literary/arts magazine). Others have a long tradition of service to the community: Students H.O.P.E., AfricAid, and Amnesty International, just to name a few. Still others fill some other niche that stems from genuine student interest.

 

In all, the program is almost entirely student-motivated with guidance and support from helpful faculty and staff. The amount of time an active member spends on any of these activities varies depending on the group. Our service-based clubs, for example, build toward major events that require many hours of labor. Others meet weekly or every other week for discussions or to bring students together around a common interest.

 

The process for starting a new club is very straightforward. Students go to Ms. Zinn, one of our class deans, to receive an application form. They must explain the purpose behind the club, identify an interested faculty sponsor, and explain why the CA community would benefit from the club’s existence.

 

Completed club proposals are then reviewed by Ms. Zinn, Mr. Hammer and me. We may ask for further clarification or to meet with the student or students behind the proposal. If the club is determined to be viable and mission-centered, the club leaders may go ahead and call their first meeting. There are three designated club-meeting times throughout the cycle: every “E” day, every other “A” day (for a double block), and certain lunch periods.

 

Every year, I encourage new students to get involved in these activities; it’s a great way to know peers in a different context and delve into an area of passion. Sometimes freshmen hold back, feeling uncertain as to how much they could or should contribute to a club. But they are needed!