Extracurricular Activities

Academic extracurricular activities are opportunities for students to expand their learning experiences beyond regular classroom instruction. We encourage students to get involved at this level so that as they progress through their school years, they will gain lifelong learning experiences, knowledge, and improve decision-making skills. Unless noted, activities are open to all students at all grade levels.

Bits of Lit

This award-winning literary publication recognizes and encourages creative expressions through art, poetry and prose.

Forensics Team

Students develop their public speaking skills, confidence, and poise in locally held competitions October through April. Practice is usually held once a week after school.

Geography Bee

This is a nationwide competition held to heighten public awareness about the importance of geography and our increasing global interdependence. One winner from each grade level will compete on The Works broadcast in January. The winner from this competition takes a written exam. Passing this exam will advance the student to the next level of competition.

Invention Convention

Students learn problem-solving skills through the invention process. They develop an original idea for an invention, taking it from a concept to completed project. Competition at the local level begins in the Fall.

Math Counts

Students expand their math skills by practicing once a week for the local competition in November. Winners advance to further competition.

Music

The Middle School Curriculum includes opportunities for students in band, marching band, chorus, and string orchestra.

Musical

Students may audition for the musical held in the Spring. Recent musical productions have included Oliver, Wizard of Oz, Annie,  The Sound of Music, and Alice in Wonderland. Rehearsal begins in late January.   During the 2010-2011 school year, our students performed in "Willy Wonka, Jr.".

National History Day

Students in Grades 6-12 make history come alive as their independent research leads them to uncover information through oral interviews, newspaper or manuscript collections, family letters and photographs, archives, libraries, and historical sites. Development of the long-term project begins in the Fall and is supported by monthly general meetings until the local competition at Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center in March.

Newspaper

Students have opportunities to provide articles for publication along with learning skills in layout and design.

Odyssey of the Mind

This is an international competition for students in kindergarten through college, which begins at the local level in the Fall and continues to the international level in the Spring. Students have a unique opportunity to participate in the challenging and motivating activities learning to work with others as a team and to gain self-confidence by finding solutions, evaluating ideas, and making final decisions. Involvement in this project includes after school and weekend hours.

Science Olympiad

Competition, consisting of more than 20 events based upon talent, training, teamwork and scheduling, applies knowledge of the science world. Practice runs after school as needed. Local competition begins in January.

Spelling Bee

Students may participate in the Washington County Spelling Bee usually held at Washington and Jefferson College. Individuals prepare during after school hours for competition in the Spring.

Student Council

Students meet once a month, or as needed, before school, to promote school and community service and to develop leadership skills. In addition, the students participate in committees such as Student Concerns, Principals' Liaison, Fund Raising and Charity, Cafeteria Liaison, Middle Level Education Week, and Dance / Entertainment.

The Works

These selected Grade 8 students participate in using computer skills for video programming productions and operations of the Middle School television studio and auditorium. These operations take place during school, after school, and in the evenings.

Yearbook Staff

Middle School students are eligible to work on the Yearbook staff one or more days per week after school October through March. Tasks include sales and creation of a photo-ready product.