Student Clubs and the High School Experience
Goals and Objectives of Co-Curricular Student Organizations
Mar 30, 2009
Student club programs are an essential part of the learning community when properly facilitated. Learning communities would do well to adhere to the definition of a “student club.” Clubs can be academically oriented such as Science, Math, or Language clubs; they can be co-curricular clubs as with Speech and Debate, Model UN, Mock Trial, or literary clubs.
Other school organizations like the Student Council or National Honor Society are not clubs in the same sense and should not be a part of the “club program.” Any kind of athletic intramural activities should never be considered true clubs, as they draw students away from legitimate club opportunities.
Although student clubs receive support because of their inevitable impact in the college admissions process, club goals should include:
- Fostering student leadership opportunities
- Incorporating community service
- Enrichment activities
- Creating a sense of belonging
- Furthering the process of appropriate socialization
- Developing community awareness through partnerships beyond the school
Types of Student Clubs
In most school settings, some clubs come and go as particular student interests’ peak and wane with changing population demographics. A chapter of Amnesty International may evolve into a “Save Darfur” club. In many cases, some of the best clubs, though often fleeting, are student designed. Such clubs thrive because student members are eager to get their message out. Invariably, such clubs highlight community awareness through food drives, addressing local community poverty efforts, or other service projects.
On-going service clubs include Special Olympics, the Habitat program, the March of Dimes, Bread for the World, and food drives for Crisis ministries and soup kitchens. Some administrators and teachers believe that all clubs, not just service clubs, should be involved in some level of community action.
Academic clubs usually stand the test of time as they figure prominently on college applications. It is also through academic clubs that students can demonstrate leadership and unique opportunities for differentiation apart from the classroom. Science club members might become involved in science fairs while literary club members may attempt to publish written work. For history students, the National History Club publishes the Concord Review, allowing secondary students to submit scholarly research papers.
Many museums, academic and professional organizations, and universities offer secondary students opportunities that can be channeled through school club programs. Selecting specific clubs to join should reflect student long-terms goals as well. A potential pre-law student might join the Moot Court; a pre-med student could focus on a Biology Club.
Too Many Clubs or Too Few Clubs
Schools with large student populations can afford to feature many diverse clubs, although too many clubs can create other problems. Students interested in “peppering” their resumes with as many clubs and organizations as possible will attempt to join many clubs and even seek a leadership position in several. This may defeat the goals of a good club program.
The problem is exacerbated in smaller schools where less faculty may be willing or able to advise and moderate student clubs. It should also be noted that in all student populations there will always be students that refuse to be a part of a club. This reality reinforces the conclusion that school clubs should never meet during the school day but should be held either before or after school. Such club scheduling also tests the commitment of club members.
Although clubs are definitely co-curricular activities and a necessary part of the overall learning experience, they should never be allowed to detract from classroom academics. The academic schedule should remain as free of daily interruptions as possible. Anything less severely impedes good pedagogy.
Finally, student club programs must focus on “students” and their well being within the overall scope and objectives of the learning communities. Club programs that cater more to school “image” than actually highlighting genuine student interest will never produce enduring results. Toward this end, every school should appoint a club coordinator to design a viable and relevant program.
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