Student Clubs

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Student Clubs & Activities

A positive school culture improves educational outcomes for students and can have a profound impact on a student's overall success. All of our community members contribute to the creation of our culture, which helps Portledge have a sense of continuity, positive energy, and strong morale. Portledge aligns all non-academic offerings to create a wide range of choices that promote character development, enhance leadership opportunities, and encourage and maximize student participation throughout the school.

Please note that clubs run depending on student engagement and interest and club offerings change year by year.

Robotics Teams

A sampling of Portledge Student Clubs

List of 21 frequently asked questions.

  • Hispanic Heritage Club - AMIGOS

    This club is called Amigos, which means “friends” in Spanish, and in Amigos, we aim to create a welcoming environment where students who have Hispanic ancestral roots can bond with other students who share a similar culture. Amigos also aims to teach students from other ethnic backgrounds more about various types of Hispanic culture. In Amigos, we will also raise funds through events and activities. We will then proceed to find places in Latin America that we can help. No matter how much or how little we are able to donate it will still have a strong impact on the people.

  • Kids for a Cure

    Our mission is to raise awareness, provide support, and create items to fundraise for cancer. We collectively collaborate and brainstorm all ideas. Every idea is a good idea. The goal of this club is to support all things that aim to find a cure and support those who have cancer by
    1. making and delivering cards with inspirational words for those going through chemo
    2. making bracelets, beanies,  and other creative items for children going through chemo and selling at fundraisers 3. volunteering at cancer awareness days, galas, and other events.

    This club is beneficial to the Portledge Community and beyond because we will work together as a team to make an impactful difference in people's happiness and attitude towards beating childhood cancer. We will spread awareness and demonstrate kindness, thoughtfulness, and empathy for others. We will also work together as a team to make creative items to sell at fundraisers and see firsthand how we contributed to funding the research that will ultimately find the cure for cancer. 

  • Turning Pages Together

    This club’s goal is to donate books to underprivileged children and books that cannot fill their libraries. This club would raise books to donate and help out at book organizations sorting books. This club will help out the greater community by providing books to those in need. Our mission statement: Our mission is to provide books to children to enable them to further their education and fill the libraries of under privileged schools.

  • Civil Discourse & Ethics Club

    Civil Discourse is formally defined as the “engagement in discourse intended to enhance understanding”. Our club strives to foster an inclusive and diverse space for conversations ranging from all fields of contemporary discourse (geopolitics, social issues, philosophy, etc.) with the intent of promoting mutual understanding and bridging divides across spectrums of thought. In said discussions, we will abandon the notions of “winner” and “loser” as civil discourse is not a debate but instead a space for good faith discussion, which ideally will lead to all participants of the community winning.

  • Community Service Club

    The Community Service Club aims to inform and inspire students about various volunteer opportunities and provide support as they begin their journey. Volunteering offers students the chance to positively impact their communities and experience a sense of fulfillment. This club is dedicated to instilling in Portledge students the value of giving back and the steps involved in becoming a volunteer, ultimately benefiting the broader local community through their direct service.

  • Christian Student Union

    The Christian Student Union is dedicated to creating a welcoming community where students can grow in their faith and build lasting relationships. We aim to inspire and support one another by promoting Christian values and encouraging open dialogue. We hope to create a positive impact both within our school and beyond. We hope to reflect Christ's love in all our activities and interactions and build a better community all around.

  • Asian Student Association

    The Asian Student Association at Portledge endeavors to celebrate and inform others about Asian culture, accomplishments, and the sociopolitical issues that Asians and Asian Americans have to face. The Asian Student Association aspires to help students develop into future leaders who are not afraid to voice their opinions or express their ideas on the present issues in today’s society. Overall, the Asian Student Association will be a welcoming and safe space for all, aiming to spread awareness of Asian culture and help address the political and social obstacles that Asian students are forced to overcome.

  • Origami Club

    The Origami Club aims to provide a relaxing and creative space for students to explore the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Through our club meetings, members will learn to create various origami designs, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, while also engaging in discussions on the history and cultural significance of origami. The club will also contribute to school events by crafting origami decorations, and we plan to fundraise by selling origami creations to support future projects. Additionally, by encouraging creativity and collaboration, the Origami Club aligns with the Portledge pillars of Kindness, Honor, Purpose, and Respect, offering an artistic outlet that fosters community engagement and personal growth.

  • Board Games & Trivia Club

    Our mission is to take a break from our phones and mobile games and enjoy board games and trivia. It's just a short period of time to get off social media and hang out with friends and meet and interact with new people. It can benefit the Portledge community because if people really start to enjoy the board games, if they have a free, instead of looking at their phone they might want to get a few friends to play a game. We aim to create more human interactions between the student community with the goal of forging new friendships.

  • Business Club

    The Portledge Business Club is a student-run association that has many activities to keep members engaged and educated. This includes guest speakers, and field trips to places such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Freedom Tower, and many other venues. We discuss current financial markets, business conditions, as well as global politics. The Business Club created the Business Club Investment Fund which has its own constitution and bylaws. The fund invests in actual stocks and currently has nearly $45,000 in investments. Stocks are selected by students, who must first make formal proposals in front of a board of trustees who oversee the club’s financial decisions. These trustees are generally Wall Street investors or bankers. The club has an annual Business Club dinner where they invite esteemed guest speakers to discuss important financial topics or real-world business trends. The preparation of all events/trips/guest speakers is handled by the club members themselves, not the faculty. This is a key trademark of the club: all activities are student-managed. This helps them become the business leaders of the future.

  • Adaptive Sports Programs Club

    The Portledge Adaptive Sports Program aims to educate students on the concepts of adaptive sports and make an impact in our community. We aim to support this cause by supporting and giving our services to organizations that support this mission. This program is about making an impact in our local community to those who need it. Students part of the Adaptive Sports Program will participate in community service, fundraisers, and field trips. This club was inspired by the work of the Adaptive Sports Foundation and we aim to bring a piece of the wonderful work they do to Portledge.

  • Robotics Teams

    The mission of the Portledge School Robotics Program is for student members to learn how to design, build, and program robots while developing problem-solving, organizational, and team-building skills. Upper School Student Teams (grades 9-12) participate in the yearly FIRST Tech Challenge competition to apply and hone their skills. Middle School Students (grades 6-8) participate in the FIRST LEGO League: Challenge competition.

    Find out more here.

  • Fencing Club

    The Fencing Club aims to introduce the sport of fencing to Portledge. Fencing requires strategic thinking and physical fitness, which can be achieved through activities like free fencing, footwork training, and sometimes one-on-one lessons. These activities will increase students’ skills and abilities both strategically and physically. The Fencing Club is beneficial to Portledge because introducing it benefits students in exploring a new sport they’ve never done before, or it can even help them develop a new interest/hobby.

  • Music Cultural Performance Club

    The Music and Performance Club strives to enrich the community by not only encouraging students to learn, explore, and perform but also diversifying their musical palates by immersing them in different cultures through song. We intend to study cultures by researching different elements of music. To do this, we will create playlists, presentations, and activities to share with the Upper School Community. We would also like to have a few club members show their Portledge Pride and perform at some school events! This club is necessary to the Portledge community because I've noticed a lack of cultural representation through an artistic medium. It's also beneficial to the Portledge community because we only have music CLASSES, not music CLUBS. This club will be a low-commitment and highly enjoyable activity for students outside of their average extracurriculars. Because music is such a universal language, Portledge students and faculty alike will be able to learn about different cultural and representative groups in a new and engaging way.

  • Math Team

    The Portledge School Math Team provides a space where people who are inquisitive and excited about mathematics practice and enhance their mathematical skills. The club hosts County and New York State math competitions that occur after school, as well as weekly meetings. Additionally, we will be competing at the Nassau Mathematics Tournament (NMT) in February 2024. Our members actively help the entire Portledge community share the joy of mathematics. We share our ideas and collaborate with those around us regarding what we know and what we want to learn, helping our community and world develop a love for mathematics.

  • Black Student Union

    Our mission is to create a safe and comfortable space for our black students to feel heard, respected and appreciated while educating others on black culture and issues, but also celebrating black culture and success.

  • Mock Trial Competition Team

    Mock Trial, sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau Bar Association, is a highly competitive academic activity closely aligned with the Portledge School Mission, Philosophy, and Pillars of Kindness, Honor, Purpose, and Respect.

    Students from across New York come together to learn advanced legal concepts in ethics, civility, and professionalism, enhancing their reasoning skills for use in an increasingly complex world. This co-curricular activity serves students in ninth through twelfth grades, immersing them in courtroom procedures such as raising objections, entering evidence, and impeaching witnesses, as well as writing direct and cross-examination questions.

    Mock Trial is rigorous, requiring students to hone their critical thinking skills as they argue both sides of a fictitious case in a courtroom setting. As students compete against other schools, they gain a unique opportunity to engage in a diverse, inclusive activity while practicing accountability, self-discipline, and cooperation. Though Portledge emphasizes winning, the primary focus remains on the intellectual and personal growth gained through participation. Students who demonstrate dedication and teamwork perform roles live at the Supreme Courthouse in Mineola.

    Participation in Mock Trial enhances students' listening, speaking, reading, writing, and reasoning skills, providing invaluable insights into the legal system that benefits their college experiences, careers, and broader lives.

    For more information about Mock Trial, please visit the following website: https://nysba.org/nys-mock-trial/

  • Sustainable Business Club

    The Sustainability Business Club is dedicated to building a dynamic community of students with diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities curious about business and sustainable practices. Our mission is to make a positive and sustainable impact on our school and local community. Companies such as GE, Apple, Amazon, Toms, and Tesla are increasingly focussing on sustainability, and Club members will explore how companies reduce their carbon footprint and implement practices to shift consumer awareness of eco-friendly products. The Club would allow students interested in real estate, architecture, environmental issues, policy-making, and building a better future to discuss how sustainability can benefit companies and society. We will explore how a company impacts the environment and its sustainability challenges through discussions, projects, and guest speakers. Topics may include what a sustainable business is, why the Paris Agreement is significant, ways to reduce our carbon footprint and the investment potential in green energy stocks. By sharing ideas, our club will propose sustainable and green solutions to local businesses and organizations to help them become more eco-friendly. We hope to make a difference to ensure a brighter future for us all.

  • Science Olympiad

    The mission of Science Olympiad Organization: Science Olympiad is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 science education, increasing student interest in science, creating a technologically literate workforce, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement by both students and teachers. These goals are achieved by participating in Science Olympiad tournaments, incorporating Science Olympiad into the classroom curriculum, and attending professional development

  • STEM Club

    Our club will provide students with more STEM-related opportunities. The club will compete in a national STEM competition, go on a field trip to a local lab, raise funds for underprivileged/underrepresented children’s STEM education, and help educate the Portledge community on all levels. This is especially important because even though there are STEM electives, many students can not fit them into their schedules. This club will give them the opportunity to learn about the skills taught in those classes and develop their interest outside of the classroom.

  • Drama Club

    We are dedicated to promoting and embracing a love of theatre. We play theatre games and engage in other theatre-based activities. We are planning to raise money to see a professional theatre piece later in the year.

List of 20 frequently asked questions.

  • Nutrition Club

    The Nutrition Club is dedicated to empowering students with knowledge about making informed dietary choices and understanding the benefits of healthy eating. Our primary activities include providing education on nutrition, delivering easy and delicious healthy recipes, and organizing bake sales featuring nutritious snacks that demonstrate that eating well can be both enjoyable and easy. We want to convey that what you put into your body is important, especially as young growing people; but make it clear that healthy does not mean boring. By fostering a greater awareness of how to balance taste and health, we aim to enhance the overall well-being of the Portledge community and encourage a positive and safe approach to nutrition.

  • Business Club

    The Portledge Business Club is a student-run association that has many activities to keep members engaged and educated. This includes guest speakers, and field trips to places such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Freedom Tower, and many other venues. We discuss current financial markets, business conditions, as well as global politics. The Business Club created the Business Club Investment Fund which has its own constitution and bylaws. The fund invests in actual stocks and currently has nearly $30,000 in investments. Stocks are selected by students, who must first make formal proposals in front of a board of trustees who oversee the club’s financial decisions. These trustees are generally Wall Street investors or bankers. The club has an annual Business Club dinner where they invite esteemed guest speakers to discuss important financial topics or real-world business trends. The preparation of all events/trips/guest speakers is handled by the club members themselves, not the faculty. This is a key trademark of the club: all activities are student-managed. This helps them become the business leaders of the future.

  • Jewish Student Union

    The Jewish student union looks to provide a safe place for Jewish and non-Jewish students to discuss religion, traditions, and more. The club looks to bring people together with food and fun. We will help the Portledge community learn more about such a great religion.

  • Model UN Club

    Our mission is to enlighten students on the complex nuances of international relations through Mock  Model UN conferences while developing the valuable skills of public speaking, conflict resolution, collaboration, research, and creative problem-solving.

  • Car Club (US)

    The Car Club at Portledge targets people with a passion for cars while promoting knowledge and skills in automotive engineering. Our primary activities include building remote-controlled cars, engaging in discussions about various car models, and exploring automotive technology, all of which contribute to our goal of enhancing members' understanding of cars and their mechanics.

  • Cheerleading

    The Cheer Club aims to promote school spirit, unity, and enthusiasm within the Portledge community. Our primary activities include organizing and performing at school sports events, pep rallies, and community gatherings, all of which work towards fostering a sense of pride and camaraderie among students and staff. By encouraging active participation and teamwork, the Cheer Club not only enhances the school atmosphere but also contributes positively to the greater community by supporting local events and initiatives.

  • Debate Club

    The debate team aims to create an environment and community for those who find passion in debate and competition and to create critical thinking skills, logic, and public speaking. These skills will be built by engaging in tournaments as well as internal practice. Our end goal is to inspire those with a passion for the art of argumentation and people who enjoy competition.

  • Beautification Club

    The Beautification Club is dedicated to enhancing our school's environment and fostering a sense of community through creative and impactful initiatives. Our purpose is to beautify our Portledge campus by decorating during holidays such as Halloween, Christmas/Hanukkah, and Valentine's day. In addition to decorating, as a club, we take on environmental initiatives such as planting flowers for Spring. We intend to support these school and community projects through our fundraising efforts throughout the year.

  • Sexuality & Gender Acceptance (SAGA)

    SAGA is a group dedicated to supporting and uplifting Portledge's LGBTQIA+ community. We are open to all, including non-queer allies and questioning people, and we ensure before anything else that we are a respectful and supportive space for everyone. Our meetings and discussions are for gathering and connection among queer and allied community members, including discussing queer rights and experiences. SAGA's events donate money to aligned organizations and raise awareness and support throughout Portledge for our mission.

  • EOSU (Eastern Orthodox Student Union)

    The Orthodox Student Union (OSU) mission is to provide a welcoming environment for Eastern Orthodox students to support one another and share their rich spiritual heritage with
    each other and the Portledge Community.
    The OSU’s primary activities would include:
    Meetings during club period for discussion and fellowship;
    Hosting cultural gatherings to showcase Orthodox traditions, music, art and customs;
    Celebrate fun cultural traditions on special days, with some possibilities being:
    Making “Martakia Bracelets” to hand out to other students on the first day of March. 
    This is a fun tradition where adults and children wear a thin bracelet made of twisted white and red thread to welcome good luck during the spring;
    Flying kites for “Clean Monday” the first day of Eastern Orthodox Lent
    Red Easter Egg cracking competition
    Eating a cake known as Vasilopita to celebrate the beginning of the New Year
    Bake sales with traditional Eastern Orthodox foods.
    Participating in campus-wide interfaith activities to promote mutual understanding and respect.
    OSU will be beneficial to the Portledge Community and the greater community because it will promote diversity, foster understanding of different Eastern Orthodox religions, help educate others about Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and provide rich cultural experiences for the entire student body.

  • Neurodiversity (Wings of Hope)

    We aim to raise awareness about autism and children/students with special needs. Our goal is to help those kids develop essential skills, discover their unique talents, and better integrate into society. We also strive to educate the broader community about autism and special needs, fostering greater understanding and inclusivity.

  • Red Cross Club

    The Red Cross Club aims to support The Red Cross Volunteer Association by spreading awareness, raising money, donating goods, and educating others on current environmental disasters. Our goal is to raise $1,000 each semester and hopefully host a blood drive (maybe). This club will get members certified as Red Cross Volunteers and hopefully aid the greater community.

  • Gym Club

    The gym club's goal is to teach students how to lift weights smartly/correctly to decrease the chance of injury while working out. This includes slideshows where I will showcase how to do a certain movement correctly. This club is also for students who don't have time to get a good workout in during the day due to other obligations and all are welcome to come. This club will bring students closer by making themselves both mentally and physically stronger with knowledge.

  • Mental Health Awareness

    The goal of the Mental Health Awareness Club is to share information with the students of Portledge about how to deal with struggles with their Mental health, and what they can do to feel comfortable within the community at Portledge. We will also work towards fundraising for programs that focus on improving mental health for young people. We will also speak at Town Hall and assemblies at Portledge. We will put an emphasis on these presentations and our work at school during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. 

  • Art with Heart

     The goal of our club is to connect art with mental health, providing a space for students to actively participate or simply take a break from the academic day. Activities will include creating cards for hospitals and organizations, organizing art supply drives, and engaging in individual and group art projects such as collage mood boards, banners, and visual diaries. For Portledge, this club will unify students, promote awareness, and enrich creativity.

  • Women's Empowerment Club

    The mission of the Women’s Empowerment Club is to advocate for gender equality by educating students about global women's issues, fostering civic engagement and political activism, and celebrating female leaders within the community. We do this important work through various means, including club discussions, school-wide presentations, and symposiums, as well as community outreach efforts.

  • Book Club (US)

    Book Club is meant to be a place where people can enjoy reading together. The club would get together once a month to talk about our most recent read, giving everyone a chance to share their thoughts and feelings on the book. Book Club is meant for anyone who enjoys reading or anyone looking to get into it. It's about giving people a place to explore a new or old interest and increase the community's love for literature.

  • Green Team

    The Portledge Green team strives to create environmental leaders who encourage eco-friendly habits, establish greener-initiatives, and better the environment around us. Promoting sustainable practices will push for the idea of environmental awareness and set an example for broader environmental stability. By empowering others, we seek to contribute towards a healthier planet and a sustainable future.

  • KareBridge

    We are KAREBRIDGE! Our goal is to raise awareness about the perspective of children who are adopted within our local community. We will ensure that valuable resources are redirected to local orphanages—like clothing, books, and toys and will spend time organizing activities with these children when we can. Through KareBridge, we aim to make a difference by providing much-needed support and care to these deserving kids, helping to give them the opportunities and essentials they need to thrive

  • The Portledge Press Student Newspaper

    The Portledge Press is the student-run newspaper at Portledge School that gives students the opportunity to publish their articles and work directly with the Communications Department at the school. The Portledge Press endeavors to connect and bring everyone in the Portledge community together by sharing school updates and highlighting both student and faculty achievements. Its main objective is to act as the voice of the student body, allowing students to write and express their ideas freely.
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