From Glee Club to Skiing: Student Life at Wilkes-Barre Academy
Clubs and Student Life at Wilkes-Barre Academy
Families asking what clubs are offered at Wilkes-Barre Academy can explore options that span leadership, music, service, academic support, and outdoor recreation. Activities include:
- Student Council for leadership, school events, and community service
- Glee Club for middle-school singers in grades 5-8
- Ski Club for seasonal Friday-night trips during ski season
- Peer tutoring that connects older and younger students
- Music lessons, STEM activities, community-awareness projects, and school-wide performances
These programs give K-8 students a way to build confidence, try new interests, work with classmates across grade levels, and contribute to the school community beyond class time. In a small, single-location school setting, clubs can also help students form strong relationships with peers and supportive teachers. Families can learn more about the value of these opportunities through the National Association of Independent Schools.
Essential what clubs are offered at wilkes-barre academy terms:
What Clubs Are Offered at Wilkes-Barre Academy?
At Wilkes-Barre Academy, learning extends well past the final afternoon bell. Because our single-location campus maintains just one classroom per grade level, our students benefit from an intimate, supportive environment where everyone knows their name. Extracurricular clubs play a central role in character building, allowing students from kindergarten through eighth grade to discover new passions, develop leadership capabilities, and collaborate with peers across different ages.
Whether your child is drawn to civic engagement, competitive performing arts, winter mountain adventures, or academic challenges, our offerings provide balanced growth. Below is a quick overview comparing the primary extracurricular programs available on campus:
| Club / Activity | Eligible Grade Levels | Primary Focus Areas | Schedule & Seasonality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Council | Grades 1–8 | Leadership, service projects, event planning | Year-round meetings & seasonal events |
| Glee Club | Grades 5–8 | Choral performance, show choir, competition | Full school year; rehearsals & spring contests |
| Ski Club | Grades K–8 & Families | Skiing, snowboarding, outdoor recreation | Friday nights, December through March |
| Peer Tutoring | Grades K–8 (Mentors & Mentees) | Academic reinforcement, mentorship | Ongoing throughout the school year |
| STEM & Science Olympiad | Middle School Grades | Hands-on inquiry, problem solving, competition | Fall & winter prep leading to spring events |
| Private Music Lessons | Grades K–8 | Vocal and instrumental instruction | Weekly private sessions; annual spring recital |
| Winter Follies | Grades K–8 (School-wide) | Theater arts, acting, community stagecraft | Winter production cycle |
Student Council and Leadership Development
We believe that leadership skills should be cultivated early. Our Student Council begins as early as first grade, giving young learners the chance to run for class representative. Through speech preparation, campaigning, and peer voting, students gain experience with public speaking and democratic processes.
Once elected, council representatives from Grades 1 through 8 collaborate on initiatives that shape our school culture and support our wider community. The council coordinates beloved campus traditions, such as themed roller-skating parties and our highly anticipated annual Bunny Hunt.
Beyond fun activities, civic responsibility is at the heart of the Student Council’s mission. Our student leaders spearhead charitable drives and service campaigns supporting vital organizations, including:
- Blue-Chip Farm Animal Refuge: Organizing pet food drives and supply collections.
- American Red Cross: Mobilizing student-led relief fundraisers and seasonal awareness drives.
- Heifer International: Sponsoring livestock gifts to help families build sustainable livelihoods globally.
- Earth Day Campus Clean-ups: Leading environmental stewardship projects on school grounds.
Award-Winning Glee Club and Performing Arts
Founded in 2015, the Wilkes-Barre Academy Glee Club has grown into one of the most celebrated middle school show choirs in Pennsylvania. Open to students in Grades 5 through 8, this dynamic ensemble blends vocal harmonies with stage choreography and live musical accompaniment.
The Glee Club maintains an undefeated competition record across regional contests, including multiple first-place division titles at the Music in the Parks competition held at Dorney Park. In addition to division championships, our vocalists and accompanists regularly bring home Spirit de Corps honors, Outstanding Student Accompanist awards, and solo vocal recognitions.
Our performers are active ambassadors in the local cultural community. You can see our Glee Club performing throughout the year at:
- Major sporting events: Singing the National Anthem for local professional hockey and baseball games.
- Regional parades: Marching and singing in the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
- Community arts festivals: Showcasing seasonal sets at the annual Fine Arts Fiesta.
- Regional television: Featured performances on PA LIVE.
WBA Ski Club at Montage Mountain
Winter in Northeastern Pennsylvania brings prime conditions for outdoor recreation, and our WBA Ski Club takes full advantage of the snow. Open to students of all grade levels along with their parents and siblings, the club gathers every Friday night at Montage Mountain from December through March.
The Ski Club offers an accessible, family-centered winter experience. Members receive a special 10% discount on gear rentals through the local Ski Shack, making it easy for beginners and experienced skiers alike to hit the slopes. For younger participants aged 5 to 11, the Montage Mountain Mountaineer lesson programs help children master balance, turns, and slope safety under certified instructors.
Because safety is our highest priority, parents provide transportation and maintain active supervision while children ski, snowboard, or tube. This setup transforms Friday nights into an energetic social hub where parents connect by the lodge while kids build winter confidence together.
Peer Tutoring, STEM, and Musical Enrichment
Wilkes-Barre Academy provides targeted academic mentorship and creative enrichment across all grades:
- Peer Tutoring Program: We intentionally bridge grade levels by pairing older middle school students with younger elementary peers. These weekly study partnerships help younger learners master reading comprehension and math facts, while older mentors develop empathy, patience, and leadership skills.
- STEM & Science Olympiad: Middle school students with an aptitude for scientific inquiry can dive into hands-on STEM challenges, engineering builds, and regional Science Olympiad competitions that sharpen analytical thinking.
- Private Music Lessons: Directed by experienced music faculty, private weekly vocal and instrumental lessons are held right on campus. These sessions allow students to study piano, voice, or individual instruments, culminating in our mandatory annual spring music recital.
- Winter Follies Production: Every winter, our entire K-8 student body comes together for our theatrical tradition, the Winter Follies. Every grade takes part in stage performances, choral numbers, or production support.
Key Benefits of Extracurricular Participation
Participating in after-school clubs directly complements the academic rigor of our classrooms. Engaging in structured activities outside of the standard curriculum promotes holistic growth:
- Enhanced Academic Achievement: Active involvement in clubs teaches time management, goal setting, and focus, which directly translates into stronger classroom performance.
- Social-Emotional Confidence: Public speaking in Student Council, performing with the Glee Club, or mentoring a younger student builds authentic self-esteem.
- Cross-Grade Connections: Because our school houses a single classroom per grade, extracurricular activities unite older and younger students, creating a supportive, family-like campus atmosphere.
- Physical Wellness and Teamwork: Activities like Ski Club encourage healthy physical habits and outdoor exercise during the winter months, while ensemble rehearsals emphasize listening and mutual cooperation.
Club Schedules, Logistics, and Parental Involvement
Participating in after-school clubs at Wilkes-Barre Academy is straightforward and family-friendly.
- Meeting Times: Most clubs, including Student Council, STEM teams, and Glee Club rehearsals, meet after school during designated weekday blocks. Specific rehearsal schedules are published at the start of each semester.
- Registration and Forms: For school-based clubs, parents complete an activity registration form at the beginning of the school year. For activities requiring off-campus travel or mountain sports like Ski Club, a single signed permission slip and safety waiver submitted before the first session covers the entire season.
- Faculty Leadership: Every club is guided by our dedicated faculty advisors, ensuring that students receive expert mentorship and consistent supervision.
- Parent Collaboration: Our active PTO and parent community play a key role in supporting club initiatives, organizing transportation carpools, coordinating costume details for performances, and managing our parent-driven Voucher (Gift Card) Tuition Assistance Program that helps fund school activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What clubs are offered at Wilkes-Barre Academy for younger elementary students?
Younger elementary students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 can participate in the Student Council (with class representative eligibility starting in Grade 1), weekly private music lessons, the all-grade Winter Follies theatrical production, the Peer Tutoring mentorship program, and our seasonal Friday night Ski Club at Montage Mountain alongside their families.
How do students register and what clubs are offered at Wilkes-Barre Academy during the winter?
During the winter months, students can participate in our seasonal Ski Club at Montage Mountain and rehearse for the school-wide Winter Follies production, alongside ongoing year-round activities like Student Council, STEM challenges, and Glee Club. Registration for Ski Club is completed by submitting an initial mountain liability waiver and signing the attendance roster at the WBA club table on Friday nights; school-based clubs use standard registration forms distributed through the main office.
Are there auditions or prerequisites for performance groups?
Our middle school Glee Club (Grades 5–8) conducts seasonal vocal evaluations and tryouts to assess vocal range, harmony blending, and movement readiness. Private music lessons are open to all interested students, with the expectation that participants practice weekly and participate in the mandatory annual spring recital.
Conclusion
From the harmony of our championship Glee Club and the community leadership of our Student Council to the Friday night slopes of Montage Mountain, student life at Wilkes-Barre Academy is rich with opportunities to learn, lead, and grow. As a dedicated, single-location school community serving Luzerne County, our small class sizes ensure that every child receives the personal encouragement needed to excel both in and out of the classroom.
To learn more about how our holistic learning environment can benefit your child, explore our complete selection of extracurricular activities or contact our main office today to schedule your private campus tour.