Beyond the Classroom

Chapin’s Upper School Office of Student Life (OSL) manages the enriching programming that occurs during the school day and after school. The purpose of student life programming at Chapin is to provide our students with programming that allows them to explore and cultivate their interests with like-minded peers. Our programming falls into three categories: Clubs, Affinity/Education Groups and Extracurriculars.

CLUBS

Clubs in the Upper School provide students an opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills, foster creative thinking, and build community with peers dedicated to a common interest or activity.

OSL supports the organization and leadership for clubs in the US. Students propose, organize, and facilitate clubs during the school day that are open to anyone to attend. Chapin’s clubs reflect fun with a purpose. Clubs for the 2023-2024 school year include: 

• Arabic Club
• Architecture Club
• Art Club
• Aviation Club
• Bioethics Club
• Book Club
• BREATHE (yoga and meditation club)
• Cha-Pod (podcasting)
• Chess Club
• Chinese Club
• Choral Club
• Coding Club
• Comedy Club
• Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA)
• Drama Club
• Entrepreneur Club
• Ethics Bowl Team
• Film Club
• Football Club
• Instrumental Chamber Ensemble
• Investment Club
• In Service of Science
• Math Club
• Medical Club
• Psychology Club 
• SAVE (environmental organization)
• Students Demand Action (SDA)
• SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Our Communities club, builds awareness of/raises funds for our sister schools in Kenya)
• Spectrum (politics club)
• Students for Animal Welfare
• WISE (Women in Science & Engineering)
• Women in Industry

UPPER SCHOOL AFFINITY AND EDUCATION GROUPS 

In the Upper School, affinity groups focus on the empowerment of students from groups historically marginalized in the United States. Aligned with the overarching vision articulated by NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), our affinity group work provides a safe space for all participants to explore, unpack, and engage in conversation on the various interpersonal dynamics, beliefs and thoughts that shape our experiences as members of a community. Because of who we are, our identities and lived experiences will inform the conversations and work that we do in these affinity groups, which are supported by PC advisors. Affinity groups for the 2023-2024 school year are: 

• Asian American Affinity Group
• BLAC (Black Affinity Group)
• La Familia (Latine Affinity Group)
• MENSCH (Jewish Affinity Group)
• Middle Eastern Affinity Group
• Multiracial Affinity Group

In addition to Affinity Groups, the Upper School also supports Education Groups that gather students in alliance. In the 2023-24 school year we have two active Education Groups: 

• Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
• Muslim Student Association (MSA)

Extracurriculars  

Extracurriculars at Chapin offer our students programming that allows them to explore and cultivate their interests in athletics, ensembles, performing arts, publications, and academic competitions with their peers.

Performing Arts

• Alleppaca (a capella singing group)
• Dance Club
• Instrumental Chamber Ensemble
• The Kilts (Rock Band)

Publications

• La Lima (World Languages literary magazine)
• Limelight (school newspaper)
• Polaris (STEAM publication)
• The Wheel (school literary magazine)

• Yearbook

Academic Programs

• Speech & Debate
• Model UN
• Robotics

Chapin's Upper School students have participated in FIRST (For Innovation and Recognition of Science Technology) Robotics for more than 12 years.

FIRST is a non-profit organization that promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through various robotics programs across the nation and internationally. Participating in FIRST Robotics is an exciting opportunity for many of our students who are passionate about STEM and robotics. Click HERE for more information on FRC.

Upper School Robotics is an after-school program that runs throughout the school year. The team works together to build a robot and then competes in the annual local FIRST Robotics competition, usually in the first week of April, with a unique and exciting theme and challenge that changes each year. The Robotics season is divided into three segments:

1. Pre-season (September to December): Veteran members of the team, under adult supervision, take on a leadership role by introducing the new members to FIRST Robotics and training them to use the various tools and equipment. The team also builds different parts of a robot and modifies the previous year's robot by augmenting its functionalities.
    
2. Build Season (January to February): The team picks up a kit of parts on the day of the challenge reveal and has six weeks to build their robot, program it, and test it. Then, the team "bags and tags" the finished robot, and team members are not allowed to open the seal until the day of competition. During this process, the students work closely with adult mentors and coaches, most with a strong background in engineering, programming, and team building..
    
3. Post-season (April to June): The team completes a debriefing and analysis of the build season and competition. They continue work on their robot, begin planning for next season, and fine-tune their designs and computer programs.

Building a robot that meets certain specifications is a challenging, exciting, and rewarding experience that allows our students to use their knowledge of physics and math to solve real problems with tangible results. FIRST's motto is "gracious professionalism," which means that all teams cooperate and compete at the same time. For example, any FRC team can reach out to other FRC teams for advice and help during the build season or even during competition. Working with a large group of people is a priceless skill that Upper School Robotics students acquire in the process. There is also ample opportunity for team members to hone their leadership skills, including acting as captains or co-captains of the team.

"Who am I and how do I thrive?" is the over-arching question our Upper School students ask themselves in the Health & Wellness (formerly “Life Skills”) program. By exploring their identities, our world and the very definition of health and wellness, they learn to articulate their values and to stand up for themselves. As our students move through the Upper School, they develop the decision-making skills and emotional resilience needed to face the challenges of our dynamic world, both during their time at Chapin and beyond.

The Upper School Health & Wellness program is diverse and intimate, organized by our health educator and US counselor with support from the class deans and various other members of our community. During each academic term, students meet in small groups with Chapin faculty and expert consultants to discuss issues that range from sexuality and drug abuse to public speaking and writing resumes. Meetings take place during common times carved out during the school day. Additionally, both the health educator and counselor are available for student conversation and questions as needed, and nine students serve as Health & Wellness representatives in student Self-Government.

It is important that our Health & Wellness program be sequential and systemic in nature (guided by the National Health Education Standards) while still being responsive to the needs of our students. Frequent surveys of each class and conversations with the Health & Wellness reps, deans, and athletics teams help inform the direction of the program. This causes the curriculum to look slightly different for each class as they move through the Upper School, though a few staples remain. For example, throughout all five years of Upper School, students participate in a program which teaches students how to assess and ensure their physical safety using self-advocacy and self-defense techniques. Each year, the content builds on what students have learned in the past.

Club nights are evening events for the Upper School, ranging from performances to holiday celebrations. These programs are fun and provide an enjoyable way for the entire Upper School community to come together. Attendance is not mandatory, however, to encourage participation, no homework is assigned for the day after these events.

Following is a list of the Club Nights:

• First Night - This event happens during the second full week of the school year. Students come together and play games, participate in talent contests, etc. It is a "Welcome Back to School" for returning students and a "Welcome to the Upper School" for Class 8 and new students. Dinner is provided. 
   
• Halloween Club - This event includes a costume contest, scary movie, faculty skit, etc. It is one of the highlights of the year! Dinner is provided. 
   
• Holiday Concert - This event happens just before Winter Recess and includes various performances of a wide range of music. It is a joyful way to usher in the holidays and the break! Parents are welcomed.
   
• Dance Club - Members of the Dance Club perform student- and faculty-choreographed pieces. Performances include a wide array of dance and music genres. Parents are welcomed.
   
• Drama Production - There is one mainstage Drama production per term in the Upper School. Productions range from plays to musicals to student-directed one acts. Parents are welcomed.
   
• 12th Night - This event happens in June. It is a time when seniors make speeches, say goodbye to the community, and thank the people who have been integral to their lives at Chapin. Snacks are provided.