Clubs & Organizations
Upper School students at Lake Ridge Academy can participate in any number of clubs and organizations, enabling them to explore fields of interest, develop talents, support and be part of community life, and gain leadership experience.
Clubs & Extra Curricular Activities
Club Med is a brand new group for those students interested in
pursuing a career in health sciences or the medical field. All grades
are welcome to come to the casual information based meetings; however
for students in grades 10 - 12 there will be activities such as field
trips, shadowing opportunities and facility tours. This group will also
promote health awareness and volunteer work.
Community Service opportunities both on and off campus are offered to interested students. The program is organized by the Community Service Awareness Committee (CSAC) which promotes participation in community service, seeks out opportunities, and facilitates student involvement in the program. The Humanitarian Aid Society is the arm of the CSAC that seeks to raise funds to provide assistance for those in need throughout the world.
French Exchange is a program which allows students to spend two weeks with peers from our partner school in Paris, the Lycée Saint Pierre. Students are hosted by French families and take advantage of their stay to learn about French schooling, family life, and culture, and to explore the city of Paris. French partners are hosted in return for two weeks by Lake Ridge students and families.
German Exchange is a program which allows students to spend two to three weeks with peers from our partner school in Schnepfenthal, Germany, named Salzmannschule. Students are hosted by German families or can stay in the school dormitory, and take advantage of their stay to learn about German schooling, family life, and culture, and to explore Germany, as well as learn new languages. German partners are hosted in at the beginning of the school year for two to three weeks by Lake Ridge students and families.
Humanitarian Aid Society (H.A.S.) is a student organization that strives to raise awareness about humanitarian issues throughout the world; promotes and celebrates the diversity of cultures that are present not only around the world but within our local communities; and raises funds to aid those most affected by humanitarian issues. H.A.S. sponsors Culture Fest each year.
Junior Engineering and Technical Society (JETS) is comprised of three teams, varsity and junior varsity. These students, selected by the Math and Science Departments, show outstanding strengths in analytical thinking and solving math-based engineering problems. The groups meet weekly to prepare for a large competition that is held in February.
Junior State of America (JSA) has as its purpose not only to enrich students’ knowledge of current politics but also to encourage communication and eliminate inhibitions that accompany expressing personal opinions in front of a group. JSA helps members to form educated opinions and serves as a forum where adolescents’ voices can be heard. Conventions, usually held in Columbus, allow members to meet and share ideas with students and political figures around the country.
Knitting Club meets once a week at lunch to work on various projects to donate to Warm Hands. Warm Hands, a program at Elyria Memorial Hospital, collects hats, mittens and teddy bears for children who are in the emergency room. Most of the actual knitting is done outside of school; the lunch meetings are used primarily for teaching and comparing projects. Both beginners and experienced knitters of all ages are welcome to join.
LEGO Robotics is open to all boys and girls in the Upper School who have an interest in robotic construction and/or in software programming. The participants meet once a week at lunchtime during fall term to design, construct and modify a robot in preparation for competition against over 20 different area high schools at Case Western Reserve University during Engineering Week in February. Students are completely in charge of the system and structure design.
Mock Trial is a simulation in which students consider legal cases and assume the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and judges. Students have the opportunity to learn about legal issues and courtroom procedures and to participate in local or regional competitions with other schools.
Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations organization. Students acting as delegates from their assigned countries debate current issues on the UN agenda. Through negotiations and diplomacy, the MUN student seeks ways for the world community to deal with complex global concerns such as environment, economic development, refugees, AIDS, peacekeeping, disarmament, and human rights. The students ultimately participate in the citywide simulation of the United Nations where they are in competition with other schools. The Model United Nations offers an excellent means for one to gain practical experience in a multiracial, multicultural, and multilateral setting.
National Honor Society is a group of outstanding sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have proven their commitment to academic excellence. Students are selected on the basis of scholarship, service, character, and leadership. The group demonstrates its commitment by providing tutoring to all middle and upper school students referred by teachers. Students may be inducted into NHS in either sophomore, junior, or senior years of high school.
Outdoor Club is an informal club composed of students who are interested in hiking and camping. The group has historically been interested in primitive backpacking trips into the Allegheny National Forest. The primary focus is a weekend winter camping trip each November.
Philosophical Discussion (P.D) is a club dedicated to discussion a wide variety of topics that have ranged from utilitarianism to the philosophy of language. The topics are chosen by the president and reflect on both modern and traditional philosophical thinking. The clubs is all inclusive and promotes discussion from everyone regardless of their knowledge or background on the subject. In addition to discussions, the group also releases an anthology of essays from its members.
Ski Club gives students the opportunity to ski/snowboard during the winter season. Students are transported by bus from school.
Spanish Exchange is a program which allows students to spend two weeks with peers from our partner school, the Pureza de María, in Valencia, Spain. Students are hosted by Spanish families and take advantage of their stay to learn about Spanish schooling, family life, and culture, and to explore Spain. Spanish partners are hosted in return for two weeks by Lake Ridge students and families.
Spirit Council lets students show their pride in their school. http://sites.google.com/site/lraspiritcommittee/
Student Senate works to promote school spirit and community-wide
cooperation, provide leadership, sponsor social events, and serve as an
intermediary between the student body and the faculty and administration.
Members are elected by the student body. The Officers of the Student Senate consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. http://sites.google.com/site/lrastusen/
Lake Ridge Academy Green Society is an Upper School student group advocating awareness and support of the importance of energy efficiency, Global Climate Change, and reusing/recycling in our school, our community, and our world. The Green Society uses a variety of fundraisers, including our annual Dodgeball Tournament, to raise funds to reduce the carbon footprint of Lake Ridge Academy. We are in the process of building solar panels and replacing our standard light switches with motion sensing light switches to support our goal. http://sites.google.com/site/lragreensociety/home