Student Organizations and Activities
The MacDuffie School believes in building students in mind, body, and spirit. Therefore, participation in extracurricular activities is an important part of the MacDuffie experience.
Clubs
MacDuffie’s student clubs are an important part of the life of the School. Their success depends largely on the initiative and sustained effort of student leaders. Clubs provide leadership opportunities to active club members who also learn the value and rewards of commitment.
All students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to join a club.
Students wishing to form new clubs are encouraged to do so, by consulting with the Dean of Students and securing a faculty advisor in advance of forming the club.
A Club Fair, where students can learn about and sign up for clubs, is held on Mountain Day in early fall.
Community Service
MacDuffie encourages students to participate in community service projects such as those sponsored by the Key Club. These activities widen the School’s reach into the local community and beyond, enable students to become involved in important and worthwhile causes, and encourage students to take responsibility for and leadership in their world. Such activities prepare students for productive action as citizens in a caring democracy.
Student Publications
The Magnet is the student-run School newspaper and is published 4 or 5 times each year. Students interested in being on the Magnet staff may take the elective Journalism course taught by the Magnet’s faculty advisor. Any student who is interested can submit articles to the Magnet.
The Unicorn is the student literary magazine comprised of student poetry, short stories and art work. It is published twice a year.
The Magnolia. is the MacDuffie yearbook. Interested students take a yearlong elective in which they learn to design and publish the MacDuffie yearbook.
Student Government
MacDuffie is strongly committed to the goal of encouraging students to develop their potential for leadership. As a result, students enjoy a great deal of responsibility for student life at the School.
Elected Student Leadership
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council oversee issues regarding student life and the School community.
President of the Student Body |
The President is the highest student officer in the School and assumes responsibility for generally overseeing all student activities.
| Head of Student Council and VP of the Student Body |
The Student Council has responsibility for School spirit and for upholding and honoring MacDuffie’s traditions and educating the student body about our traditions.
| Middle School Senate President |
The Middle School Senate meets weekly to discuss pertinent issues regarding student life and the Middle School community. It provides leadership opportunities and training for Middle School students.
Class Presidents and Vice Presidents
are elected each year by their classmates and serve on the Student Council as well as leading their
respective classes through activities throughout the year.
Judiciary Council
The Judiciary Council deals with student disciplinary issues and consists of two junior class members, two senior class members, one boarding student representative, two faculty members, and the Middle School Coordinator or Upper School Head.
Prefect Program
The position of Prefect represents the highest form of student leadership for The MacDuffie School. Prefects assume a major responsibility in the spirit of our school by helping to maintain the quality of life for both boarding and day students. They have the moral and ethical duty to lead by example, adhering to the guidelines and principles that govern community life.
THE ARTS AFTER SCHOOL
Dance Ensemble
A club, Dance Ensemble, meets every other week. Students have the opportunity to act as instructors, and the classes reflect the students’ interests. Dancers also have the time to choreograph their own works. Guest teachers present a variety of dance forms.
MacDuffie Dancers
The MacDuffie Dancers is open to any upper school student who is very serious about dance. To become a member of the MacDuffie Dancers students must audition a piece of work to be considered for the Winter or Spring Concerts. These auditions take place at the beginning of each semester. Students meet monthly to share the progress of their work and give and receive constructive criticism regarding their choreography. Students are also encouraged to dance in each other’s works. Students who participate in The MacDuffie Dancers are strongly encouraged to enroll in Modern Dance and Repertory.
School Plays
MacDuffie presents two main stage productions a year. Auditions are open to all students in the school regardless of the student’s age or experience level. The types of plays vary from year to year, but traditionally, the fall play is a comic or straight play and the spring production is a musical. In the late spring more experienced students will, on occasion, direct one-act plays.
All students are welcome to participate in these productions as well.
Technical Theater
Students may learn stage management, lighting, set design and construction, make-up skills and costuming by volunteering to work behind the scenes on the school plays.
A Cappella Ensemble
This musical group is for interested students, faculty, and staff to work on singing without accompaniment. Members help to select repertoire. An audition is required prior to acceptance. The group is student directed.
Jazz Ensemble
This group is for faculty, students, and staff who wish to explore the jazz medium. Members must provide their own instruments (a piano is supplied), and availability depends upon interest. Improvisation, reading charts, arranging, and fulfilling specific roles within an ensemble are several areas that are addressed.
