Find Your Interests
Some students know their strengths. Some want to discover hidden talents. And everyone can try something new.
There are more than 80 student clubs, affinity groups, publications, community service organizations, and performance groups on campus — which means more than 80 opportunities for students to pursue their passions and spark new interests.
Explore some of the student clubs and activities at Hotchkiss
Affinity, Cultural & International
- Asian Society
- Black and Hispanic Student Alliance (BaHSA)
- Chinese Club
- Classics Club
- French Club
- Gender & Sexuality Alliance
- German Club
- Hillel
- Round Square
- Spanish Club
- WISER
Asian Society
Black and Hispanic Student Alliance (BaHSA)
BaHSA began as a multicultural support group that welcomes all students, not only those who are African-American and Hispanic. BaHSA’s mission is to educate our community on topics of diversity by sponsoring speakers, workshops, social events, leadership forums, and regular meetings involving other student groups at Hotchkiss and neighboring schools.
Chinese Club
Classics Club
French Club
Gender & Sexuality Alliance
German Club
Hillel
Hillel sponsors religious, educational, social, and cultural events in celebration of Jewish holidays, culture, and history. Hillel arranges for students to attend synagogue services on the High Holy Days and on other holidays or Shabbat. Hillel works closely with dining services to offer appropriate foods during holidays. All Hillel events are open to the entire Hotchkiss community.
Round Square
Round Square is an association of 50 schools around the world that support each other, both individually and collectively, to promote the principles of internationalism, democracy, environmental awareness, adventure, leadership, and service. Faculty and student representatives participate in an annual conference to share lessons learned and methods used, and to develop joint projects and future plans. Hotchkiss has sent delegations to international conferences in German, South Africa, Massachusetts, Peru, India, Thailand, and Australia.
Spanish Club
The Spanish Club gives students the opportunity to practice their Spanish and learn more about Hispanic culture. It also serves to help inform the School community about the Spanish-speaking world. The Spanish Club sponsors Spanish language tables at dinner and promotes Hispanic culture and the celebration of important Hispanic holidays.
WISER
WISER is an all-girls boarding school located in Muhuru Bay, Kenya, where only five percent of the girls in that village make it to high school due to forced early marriages, family gender roles, early pregnancies and other issues. WISER at Hotchkiss is dedicated to raising awareness about the issues that Muhuru Bay girls face, and committed to raising a minimum of $1,000 a year to support a girl's scholarship to the school.
Art, Dance & Music
Calliope
Drill Team
Gospel Choir
Hotchkiss Dramatic Association (HDA)
The HDA sponsors three major main stage productions each year, including a musical and occasionally a festival of hit Broadway songs. The HDA also produces more intimate plays for smaller casts, student-directed one-act plays. The group provides many opportunities for students to try their hand at acting or learn about the technical aspects of play production.
Unity Through Rhythm
Community Service
- Habitat for Humanity
- The Hotchkiss Blood Drive
- The Hotchkiss Swimathon
- Junior Bearcats
- Kucetekela
- Songs for Smiles
- St. Luke’s Society
Habitat for Humanity
The Hotchkiss Blood Drive
The Hotchkiss Swimathon
Junior Bearcats
Junior Bearcats is a student-run, non-profit charity organization. Their mission is to help children worldwide by holding interschool fundraising events and on-campus activities. To date, the group has raised money for natural disaster relief efforts, scholarships for girls in Vietnam, and "Room to Read" programs in Asia, among others.
Kucetekela
Songs for Smiles
St. Luke’s Society
The oldest club at Hotchkiss, St. Luke’s was founded in 1892 to promote Christian fellowship, work, and service. Its members provide volunteer service in support of various charitable organizations and groups in need. Hotchkiss students give their time to the local soup kitchen, a school for learning disabled children, a home for the elderly, a Big Brother/Big Sister program, and other community outreach efforts. Approximately three-quarters of the student body participate in these activities each year. The St. Luke’s Society also encourages students to participate in the local Crop Walk each year.
Special Interests
- Political & Social Awareness
- Publications & Media
- Campus Spirit & School Service
- Academic, Math & Science
Political & Social Awareness
Bluestockings
Bluestockings promotes awareness of gender issues and encourages women to get involved in philanthropic activities that help other women. Since the group was formed in 2001, Bluestockings has raised money for women’s health issues, organized gatherings, and participated in the Independent School Gender Project.
Hotchkiss Political Union
Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA)
The SEA is responsible for increasing the School’s awareness of issues relating to the environment. Toward this end, the group invites speakers to campus, sponsors an “Eco-Day” during which the community participates in a campus and community clean-up, runs the campus recycling program, and involves interested students in education programs at the various local elementary schools. In addition, members of the SEA help maintain nature trails in Beeslick Brook Woods and lead nature walks.
Publications & Media
- The Hotchkiss Record
- Hotchkiss Television (HTV)
- INKredible
- No Limits
- The Mischianza
- The Paper
- The Whipping Post
- The Writing Block
- WKIS
The Hotchkiss Record
(STUDENT NEWSPAPER)
The eight-page student newspaper is produced every two weeks, covering Hotchkiss news, arts, sports, opinions, and environmental and international initiatives through writing and photography. The Record circulates on campus and is sent to Hotchkiss alumni, parents, and grandparents who subscribe. Reporting opportunities include features, campus news, sports, editorials, and the arts.
Hotchkiss Television (HTV)
INKredible
No Limits
The Mischianza
The Paper
The Whipping Post
The Writing Block
WKIS
Campus Spirit & School Service
Blue & White Society
Student-Faculty Council
The Student-Faculty Council is composed of the presidents of the School, the presidents of the senior, upper mid, lower mid, and prep classes, one elected representative from each dorm, and five faculty members. In addition, the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, and the deans of the classes all serve ex officio. Chaired by the School presidents and the director of student activities, the council was established in recognition of the fact that in a boarding school community there are many important issues of concern to both students and faculty. The council is responsible for making recommendations to the full faculty not only on questions which relate specifically to the quality of student life, but also on those related to the general welfare of the School community.
Academic, Math & Science
Math Club
Math Team
Science Club
Science Olympiad
Speech & Debate Team
The Speech and Debate Team competes in interscholastic tournaments throughout New England, Canada, and overseas. Debate styles include parliamentary and cross-examination. Public speaking styles include after-dinner, persuasive, impromptu, and interpretive reading. Committed, consistently involved debaters are eligible for invitations to attend Model United Nations, Model Congress, and/or international public speaking tournaments.