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Extracurricular Activities and Why They Are so Important

Published July 05, 2010

Written by Robert Kennedy

Extracurricular activities are not an extra in a private school. They are an integral part of the program each school offers.

Extracurricular activities are exactly that, extras, right? Unfortunately, in these tough economic times that is very often the case in public schools. Faced with declining tax revenues, public schools have had to make some very heavy cuts in their budgets. It's difficult to justify cutting teachers and course offerings. So, the 'extras' have to be cut. Extras in the public school world include extracurricular activities such as a band or orchestra as well as clubs and other activities.

In private schools extracurricular activities are an integral part of the school's offerings. Solid academics, a variety of athletic programs and an assortment of extracurricular activities are considered essential to the way a private school works.

Put another way, you cannot educate a child solely by teaching her academic subjects such as math and science. There's more to education than that. That's where sports and extracurricular activities come in. They allow your child to grow. They allow her to be stimulated by new ideas and ways of thinking. They give her a sense of accomplishment and encourage team spirit. These are all excellent lessons she needs to learn in order to be a successful adult.

Let's look at a couple of schools to get an idea of the rich array of choices your child will encounter at private school. Incidentally, it doesn't matter too much whether the private school you are considering is a day school or a boarding school. Either type of private school will offer more extracurricular activities than you can imagine. We have quoted from two schools' descriptions of their activity programs so that you can hear how important these are from the schools' perspective.

Middlesex School, Concord, Massachusetts

"At Middlesex life outside the classroom is marked by energy, exploration, and community. With over 60 clubs and organizations Middlesex students have a diverse and extensive set of opportunities to enrich their lives and learn through experience. Middlesex believes that creativity and self-discovery are important aspects of the student experience, and these clubs and other activities are a great way to find new interests or develop existing ones."

Alumni Ambassador
Amnesty International
Applied Science Club
Arabic Club
Astronomy Club
Book Club
Chess Club
Chorus
Club Gol a Gol
Common Sense (Environmental Organization)
Community Service
Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
Cowboys' Lunch
Crossword Puzzle Club
Debate Club
Diversity Committee
Divine Visions (Step Dance)
Etymology
Fides
Finance Club
Fishing
Freedom of Speech
French Club
Harry Potter Club
Ikon
Instrumental Ensembles
Jazz Club
Jewish Club
Math Team
Middlesex Art Association
Middlesex Yearbook
Model Congress
Model United Nations
Mxlodians
Peer Support
Photography Club
Ping Pong Club
Pottery Club
Society of Skeptics
Songwriters Anonymous
Spectrum (Multi-cultural Organization)
Student Activities Committee
Student Admissions Committee
Student Government
The Anvil
The Asian Society
The Circle (literary newspaper)
Theatre
Young Democrats
Young Republicans

The Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

"The goal of The Hill School's Student Activities Office is to provide a diverse and enriching residential experience for the students and faculty. Activities are offered throughout the school year that appeal to a wide variety of interests."

Action AIDS
Archaelogy Club
Asian Cultural
BBQ Club
Chamber Ensemble
Chamber Orchestra
Chapel Committee
Chess Club
Community Service Group
Ellis Theater Guild
Fine Woodworking Club
Fly Fishing Club
Food Club
French Club
Glee Club
Guitar Ensemble Habitat for Humanity
Hill Athletic Association
Hilltone Trebles
Hilltones
Honor Council
International Culture Exchange
Jazz Ensemble
Math & Computer Club
Model United Nations
Operation Smile
PDS Teaching Assistants
Peer Counseling Group
Pep Band
RAM Radio
Reception Committee
Recycling Club
Rock Band
Sailing Club
Skateboarding Club
Ski Club
Spanish Club
Speech & Debate Club
Stock Exchange Club
Student Activites Committee
Student Government Association
Student Prefects
Tech Support Group
The Dial (yearbook)
The Hill News (newspaper)
The Record (literary journal)
Young Democrats
Young Republicans

The other consideration about extracurricular activities is the leadership aspect. Most private school teachers are required to supervise an extracurricular activity as part of their duties. In fact that is something which is spelled out in a teacher's contract. The benefit for your child is enormous. She gets to participate in an activity which is guided and directed by an adult who is enthusiastic about the activity. That adult is also one of her teachers. So she has the opportunity of seeing her teachers in a completely different setting from the classroom. Learning and having fun are a great combination. That's one of the reasons why private schools will preserve a rich array of extracurricular activities. Those activities are part of what make the school what it is.

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