Upper School Clubs and Activities

Extracurricular involvement is an essential part of the Upper School experience. Collegiate offers a wide range of clubs and organizations that enrich students' education beyond the classroom, providing opportunities to explore personal interests, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections.

Students playing chessClubs are open to all students in Grades 9–12 and meet during a weekly club period as well as each morning before first period. Every club is student-led and supported by a faculty sponsor, empowering students to shape the activities and communities that matter most to them.

 

SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS 

A Clubs Fair is held in September where students may sign up for any clubs of interest. Below is a list of the clubs in the 2026-27 school year. Note that clubs vary from year to year, depending on student demand. 

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Professional and Academic Development:

  • A.C.E. (Aerospace Collegiate Engineering)
  • Between the Lines (Book Club)
  • Chess Club
  • Chinese Club
  • Collegiate Academic Team
  • Current Events Club
  • Darr-Davis Investment Advisory Board
  • Ethics Club
  • French Club
  • Future Medical Professionals
  • Latin Club
  • Model Congress
  • Model UN
  • Personal Finance Club
  • Science Research Club
  • Spanish Club
  • Speech & Debate
  • STEM/Robotics
  • Technology Club

Creative and Performing Arts Growth:

  • Art Club 
  • Collegiate Student Dance Organization
  • Drumline
  • Epicurean Club
  • Glee Club
  • Technical Theater
  • Thespians
  • Con Brio, vocal ensemble
  • Voicemail, vocal ensemble
  • The Flame, literary and arts magazine 
  • The Match, online newspaper (class)
  • The Torch, yearbook (class)

Athletics and Recreation:

  • Fishing Club
  • Outdoor Collegiate
  • Sports Broadcasting
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS

Students have many opportunities to give their time to Collegiate and Richmond area organizations that serve others. From donating prom dresses to the Fairy Godmother Club to participating in the James River clean-up with Earth Society, each effort makes a difference. Students are required to volunteer a total of 45 hours before they graduate.

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  • Ambassadors Club (Collegiate Tour Guides)
  • Service Council 
  • Civic Engagement Team
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Earth Society
  • Fairy Godmother Club
  • Interact 
  • The John Maloney Project
  • Oak Grove Bellemeade
  • One Love
  • Peer Tutoring
  • R.A.M.P.S.
  • RVAccess
  • Speak More (Mental Health Awareness Club)
  • T.E.A.C.H.
SPEECH AND DEBATE: 2025-26 ACCOLADES

The Collegiate Speech and Debate Team enjoyed a remarkable 2025–26 season, earning recognition at the regional, state, and national levels while continuing to expand opportunities for students.

  • National success: Collegiate made its third appearance at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament, with students advancing to elimination rounds in World Schools Debate, Extemporaneous Debate, and Program Oral Interpretation. Hollyn Borich advanced to the Octofinal Round in Program Oral Interpretation, placing 32nd in the nation.
  • World Schools Debate: Akash Rohatgi and Justinas Petkauskas were selected to the Virginia State World Schools Debate Team for the second consecutive year. At Nationals, they advanced to the Double Octofinal Round as part of Team Crimson, placing in the top 32 among more than 200 teams.
  • Reagan Debate Series: Collegiate hosted the Reagan Debate Series Mid-Atlantic Qualifier for the fourth consecutive year. Six of the seven Collegiate teams competing advanced to elimination rounds, and Jake Apelt won the tournament and qualified for the Reagan Debate Series National Tournament, where he placed third and earned an $8,000 scholarship.
  • National Catholic Forensic League: Collegiate made its first appearance at NCFL Grand Nationals, with Jake Apelt and Avi Soin advancing to Double Octofinals in Varsity Public Forum Debate.
  • Regional success: The team earned multiple Debate Sweepstakes titles in the Richmond Forum Speech and Debate League, including at its first local circuit tournament, the Cougar Kickoff, which brought together 180 competitors from 20 Richmond-area schools.
  • State-level recognition: Emmett Lareau and Hollyn Borich qualified for the National Tournament in International Extemporaneous Debate and Program Oral Interpretation, respectively. Emma Lucas finished fourth in Varsity Public Forum Debate at NSDA Virginia District Finals, earning alternate status for Nationals.
  • Richmond Forum Scholars: Jake Apelt and Isi Eberl were named Richmond Forum Scholars for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 seasons, respectively. Five of the 10 Richmond Forum Scholar finalists were Collegiate students.
  • Program growth and recognition: Collegiate launched its first recruitment incubators to introduce new students to the team. Coach Castelo received the Doris D. Roberts Coaching Distinction Award, while Coach Maughan earned Premiere Distinction.
STUDENT COUNCILS

Elections are held each year for members of our student-led councils. All four Upper School grades are represented, and students are assisted by faculty advisors. Both Honor Council and Judicial Council meet confidentially to consider breaches of honor and discipline and recommend action. The SCA organizes events including pep rally, dances, skate nights, and other fun activities.

  • Service Council, provides volunteer opportunities for students
  • Student Cooperative Association, organizes student events
  • Honor Council, promotes a sense of honor among students
  • Judicial Council, promotes student responsibility and accountability
  • Athletics Council, made up of varsity team captains each season
AFFINITY & ALLY GROUPS 

Collegiate’s affinity and ally groups provide students with spaces to connect, build community, and foster belonging. Affinity groups offer students who share particular identities or experiences opportunities to connect, celebrate, and engage in meaningful conversation, while ally groups welcome students who support and advocate for each group’s mission. Guided by faculty advisors, these student-led groups encourage leadership, personal growth, and greater understanding while strengthening connections across the Upper School community.

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Affinity Groups:

  • Asian Student Union
  • Latino Student Union
  • PRISM (LGBTQ+)
  • United Sisters and Brothers (Black and/or African American)

Ally Groups:

  • Inclusion and Belonging Club 

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