Upper School and Middle School Clubs Bring Students Together Around Shared Interests

St. Margaret’s Upper School and Middle School each had their clubs fairs recently, an opportunity for students to come together with their peers around a shared interest. Each club is student-led and student-run. 

Students have the option to join one or more clubs in their division, where they meet during breaks in the block schedule to further explore a passion, learn a new skill or simply find a community of peers with something in common. 

 

Upper School clubs, for example, are 100 percent student-led and initiated, and are divided into academic, advocacy, and activity. Students apply to start a club, articulating both the club’s purpose and the intended activities. Club officers must also seek out a faculty member to serve as a sponsor, which can be anything from supervision to lending an area of expertise and guidance to the student-led club.

 

“The opportunity to develop a student club is valuable for many reasons. It is a low-risk, high reward leadership role, where one can be safe (leading a small group of peers) or ambitious (galvanizing a large group of students) around a common interest or purpose.” Upper School Director of Community Life Lora Allison said. “We believe that clubs are where authentic leadership is cultivated, and our students go from there on to larger roles within our community and beyond. The students bring creativity and energy around their ideas and no year replicates the last, which creates an ever-evolving and current aspect of student life on campus.”

 

There typically are more than 50 Upper School clubs each year. In the Upper School, students also have the option to participate in an affinity group moderated by a student leader and member of the professional community. Affinity groups bring people together in safe and brave spaces to process the joys and challenges of a shared life experience. St. Margaret’s student affinity groups span identities such as ethnicity, faith, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and mental health. Affinity groups are student-driven, student-led, and optional.

 

The Upper School Clubs and Affinity Group Fair took place last week in the senior courtyard and students explored different clubs’ tables, listening to presentations and asking questions.

 

Some of the student-led Upper School clubs in place for 2024-2025 include:

Most of the Middle School clubs are student-led, as well. Like the Upper School, students interested in starting their own Middle School club must find a faculty sponsor willing to provide supervision and a classroom for the club to meet. The students express the merits of their idea, and Middle School administrators review and approve each application. 

 

Middle School student leaders market their club through a short presentation, often with visuals and multimedia components, to convince fellow students to join. Students in their advisories rotate through each pitch during the Middle School Clubs Fair and decide if a club is a good fit for them.

 

This year’s list of Middle School clubs includes:

Clubs are a cherished part of the Tartan experience for students grades 6-12, and an important way to begin building a life of leadership—a pillar of the St. Margaret’s experience as expressed in the school’s Mission statement.  

 

“I am incredibly proud of our students for their dedication throughout the Club Application and Club Fair process,” Middle School Director of Community Life Kylie Middlebrook said. “They take this seriously and put in the effort to create or continue their clubs. Their planning and collaboration with teachers is always impressive, and I’m continually amazed by the creative ideas they bring to life. Participation is strong across all clubs, and our Middle School students are now actively engaged during lunch, making the most of their time and exploring new interests.”