Upper School Clubs, from A to Z

The leaders of an incredible 69 student organizations and clubs made their pitches during Colorado Academy’s 2025 Upper School Club Fair, a crowded and festive occasion during the first weeks of school that, every year, features signs, costumes, props, and free candy to win over potential members. The amazing tally—a club for approximately every seven Mustangs in Grades 9-12, all of them student-led—reflects not only the remarkable diversity of passions that inspire CA students, but also the universal enthusiasm they share for creating communities with their peers.

 

Encompassing an array of opportunities that are sure to appeal to everyone, from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) to “mathletes” (Math Club) to Zumba enthusiasts (Zumba Zone), the A-Z roster offers a club for nearly any interest or identity, whether providing a service or community space, discussing culture and ideas, exploring the outdoors, learning about debate and the law, reading and writing, or singing and dancing and beyond.

According to Emily Pérez, Upper School Social Studies Instructor and Director of Student Experience, “Clubs at CA are student-generated and student-run, and they rise and fall with student interest. This year’s record number includes some notable new additions, from Improv Club and Zumba Zone to a revamped Stock Market Club that brings together students interested in investing, business, and marketing. While many students propose clubs to launch at the start of the year, we continue to get new club proposals throughout the year.”

New clubs join an extensive list that includes numerous long-running student organizations, such as Amnesty International, Black Students Affinity Group, Chanteurs, FACES of Diversity, GSA, HOPE, Horizons Club, Kokopelli, Mock Trial, and Speech & Debate. “When students propose a new club,” explains Pérez, “the Grade-Level Deans are looking to answer the following questions as we evaluate the requests: What is the mission of this club? Why does this need to be a club, rather than a group of friends getting together? What will a typical meeting look like? We also want to avoid creating multiple clubs that do the same thing, so we encourage students with similar interests to work together.”

Many of CA’s most well-known clubs, such as HOPE—which provides donated clothes, food, toys, and vaccines to underserved families in the Denver area during the holiday season—are focused on service and community involvement, with a long track record of collaborating with outside nonprofits to address the needs of local families. Other groups, such as the Vintage Radio Tea Club—which immerses students in entertainment history through recordings of radio shows from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s—reflect very specific areas of student interest. Still others, such as the Philosophy Hacky Sack Club—which combines active play with thoughtful conversation—focus on offering a break from school. 

Take a look inside a few of this year’s clubs below! Learn even more about clubs at CA.

 

AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) Affinity Group

“The goal of our club is to create a safe space for anyone who identifies as part of the AANHPI community. We want to create a space where people are comfortable sharing their experiences, trying new things, etc. At meetings we will try new snacks while discussing various topics and hanging out!”

 

Arts for Hearts

“Arts4Hearts is about using creativity to give back. We make bracelets, art kits, and other handmade crafts to donate to hospitals and shelters. Each meeting will feature a different type of bracelet or craft. We’ll give tutorials, and supplies will be provided. Everyone is welcome—no experience needed, just have fun!”

 

Book Club

“The Book Club’s purpose is to bring together a community of people who enjoy reading, and to provide a space for people to read good books and discuss them with other people of similar interests. In club meetings we will talk about the books we read while eating snacks provided by the club leaders. People who enjoy reading or would like to start reading are invited.”

 

Children’s Hospital Colorado

“Children’s Hospital Club will allow students to build connections with peers while also contributing to the community outside of CA. We will make blankets, do a toy drive, and (hopefully) host a craft party at the hospital! Children’s Hospital Club is for anyone who wants to meet people with the same interest in either the medical field and/or helping people, and people who want a way to volunteer for the hospital, in person or through school.”

 

Crochet Club

“Crochet club seeks to provide a space for creativity through crochet. We hope to spark creativity by providing the skills to create stuffed animals, clothing, and many more crafts. At meetings, we will teach different stitches, go through patterns, and provide assistance to any student who wants to learn something new.”

 

Environmental Club

“The Upper School Environmental Club helps make our school more sustainable and educates the whole school about protecting our planet. During the year, we have fun activities, volunteer opportunities, and schoolwide Earth Day events. All Upper School students are always welcome!”

 

Haiti Club

“Haiti Club partners with A Road To Hope. We work to raise awareness about the hardships people in Haiti face, and we host fundraisers and events to help spread that awareness and raise money to support them. Our goal is to make a difference by educating others and providing real help where it’s needed most.”

 

Improv Club

“Our mission is to create an inclusive club where students learn improv skills that can be used both on and off the stage, feel comfortable being themselves, and are encouraged to say ‘Yes, and!’ in trying new things. A typical meeting will look like this: We will do a quick warm-up to get the energy up and then learn some new games or rehearse games we’ve already learned. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join but especially students with an interest in theater!”

 

Kokopelli

“Kokopelli’s main goal is to publish a student-created art and literary magazine. This publication will represent CA’s year in art. In our meetings, students will work on various aspects of the magazine, striving towards a completed edition by the end of the year.”

 

Latin Dance

“Latin Dance is a space to share a love for dance and Latin heritage. We want to teach our peers different types of dancing that are common in Latin America. We want to share our culture with dance to anyone that is interested in Latin dance.”

 

Mock Trial

“Mock Trial is a competitive team-based activity in which participants gain skills in presentation, collaboration, and problem solving. Student competitors will prepare a case over the course of the year and compete against other high school teams from across the state in February. Practices are every Wednesday night and club meetings are every F-day; everyone is welcome!”

 

SOMOS - Latine Affinity

“Our mission is to provide a safe and empowering space for Latine students to celebrate culture, build community, and support one another. In our meetings, we hold cultural discussions, plan events, and share experiences that strengthen our connections with each other and our heritage. While the group is exclusively for Latine students, we welcome the entire student body to join us at public events that honor and uplift Latine culture and its students.”

 

Woodworking Club

“The Woodworking Club is for anyone, whether you are brand new to the craft or already have a passion. This club is a space to be creative, collaborate with others, and make your ideas a reality. At meetings, we will work on projects, learn new techniques, and maybe host design challenges.”

 

Zumba Zone

“Zumba Zone aims to unite the Upper School and offer exercise through the world of ZUMBA!”