Clubs

One of the most exciting aspects about being a part of Emma is deciding where to get involved! Our inspiring environment will help you to feel comfortable trying something new, or even starting a club of your own.

Clubs and interest groups are organized around common pursuits, such as music performance, Mock Trial, and Science Olympiad; creating products like the school newspaper The Clock or Triangle literary magazine; a common purpose, interest, or area of advocacy; or providing a particular service to the school, such as our student leaders, EMbassador tour guides, and peer tutors.

At Emma, we believe that affinity groups provide a crucial space for students to engage in conversation and provide support for each other around issues that are unique to their specific cultural and societal experiences.

Check our clubs, student leadership positions, affinity groups and more!

Two students standing side by side smiling at the camera holding a flyer advertising the club 'Emma Green'

Ways to Get Involved

Affinity Groups

An affinity group is a group of people with common interests, background, and experience that come together to support each other.

We recognize that the boarding school environment has traditionally been a place of great privilege, both economically and socially. In keeping with our mission to foster the love of learning and the qualities of leadership in all of our students, we believe that it is important to provide space for camaraderie, processing, and fellowship for those students who have not traditionally been represented.

These groups will reinforce the understanding that underrepresented students unequivocally belong here at Emma Willard School, and that they are supported in their learning and their emotional growth.

2023-2024 Affinity Groups

Affinity for Diverse Abilities

The Diverse Abilities affinity space at Emma Willard welcomes individuals who share diverse experiences related to disability, neurodiversity, and mental health. We celebrate how our members' unique cognitive and physical abilities impact their lives and pursuits. Our community is broad, inclusive, and talented, with a wide range of experiences, both visible and invisible.

Black Affinity Group

East Asian Affinity

Latine Affinity Group

Middle Eastern Affinity Group

Multimagic Affinity

Queer Affinity Group

South Asian Diaspora Affinity Group

Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary Affinity Group

Clubs

Emma Willard clubs are dedicated groups that are open to all students, connected to the wider community through events both on and off-campus, and aligned with the Emma Willard Program Pillars of Intellectual Flexibility, Purpose and Community, and Equity and Justice.

Official school clubs are long-lasting groups on campus, co-led by student heads and faculty advisors. The groups have protected meeting time in our schedule, receive funding from the school, and pass down leadership from year to year. All clubs are overseen by the Student Activities Coordinator, and a committee reviews applications for new clubs once a year.

2023-2024 Clubs

12 Tones

Asian Student Union (ASU)

Black Latinx Student Union (BLSU)

Campus Players

Democracy Matters

Democracy Matters is a non-partisan national organization that works to get big money out of politics and further democratize our political system. The club participates in discussions, hosts speakers, attends local marches, and speaks to representatives. Democracy Matters works to inform the student body about campaign finance reforms and how the issue transcends many social injustices that we fight today.

Jewish Student Union (JSU)

Embassadors

Emma Arch

Emma Genuis

Emma Green

Entrepreneurship Club

EWS Human Right Advocacy

F-Word

Fair Trade

Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools (FOCUS)

Gargoyle

HOSA: Future Health Professionals

Humaniteam

International Student Union (ISU)

Junior Singing Group (JSG)

Language Tutors

MedTalks

Mock Trial

Model UN

Muslim Student Union (MSU)

OMEGA

Phila

Philosophy Club

Pride Alliance

PRIMES (Math & Science Tutors)

Quiz Team

Robotics Club

SASD

Science Olympiad

Student Organization for Animal Respect (SOAR)

Stock Market Club

SWENext: Engineering Club

The Clock

Triangle Arts & Triangle Lit

Interest Groups

The term interest group as defined by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is used as a bringing together of people who want to learn about, share, and engage in a special interest, e.g. hobby, skill, topic, etc.

Interest groups at Emma Willard are entirely student-run groups, with a membership that waxes and wanes according to current interest, for individuals who want to gather to teach, learn, and share. They meet whenever they choose, and are not officially recognized as school institutions. This more flexible model is often appealing to students first creating a group that may later become recognized as an official school club.

Student Leadership

Our student leaders are vital resources for Emma students, and there are many opportunities for student leadership across campus.

Each year, leaders undergo a rigorous application process to become a Proctor, Prefect, or Wellie. Other important student leadership roles include representatives on the Student Diversity Leadership Group (SDLG), Student Council, and EMbassadors. These leaders are trained to provide direction and advice for navigating the many aspects of life at Emma and they undergo training on a number of topics. Read more below for specific information on the student leadership roles at Emma!

Conduct Review Committee (CRC)

Proctors & Prefects

Each boarding neighborhood has two Proctors, who operate as a voice for the boarding student perspective in the wider community.

Each day neighborhood has two Prefects, who operate as a voice for the day student perspective in the wider community.

The main goals of Proctors and Prefects are to foster community and build relationships in their neighborhoods. Prefect and Proctors work with Houseparents and Prefect Advisors to plan events, address issues that arise within neighborhoods, and ensure each member of the neighborhood feels a sense of belonging. They are advocates for the students in their neighborhood, providing peer support and connections to other campus resources as needed. Proctors and Prefects also work with Houseparents or Prefect Advisors to ensure the smooth running of neighborhood operations, such as taking attendance, checking students in for study hall, organizing weekly chores, and helping to run neighborhood meetings.

As student leaders on the campus at large, students in these roles work to build a broader sense of community by organizing various school-wide events throughout the year.

Student Council

School Council is a group of student leaders who represent the student body. They listen to, and when possible, address student concerns and provide two-way communication between the student body and the school administration.

The council is made up of eight seats: two at-large members elected by the entire student body, a representative for each class, one wellness advocate, one proctor, and one international student representative.

School Council chooses a president among its members each fall. Other officers may be chosen at the same time. In the spring, elections for both class and at-large representatives are held for the following academic year.

Student Diversity Leadership Group (SDLG)

The SDLG serves the Emma community by promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all arenas of campus life.

The members of the SDLG go through comprehensive and continuous training in consultation with the Office of Equity & Inclusion. They work as peer educators to promote the knowledge and fluency of the community on topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging by developing creative and appropriate programming (such as Table Talks, weekend activities, and neighborhood programs such as teas). Students will gain an enhanced understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics and techniques for educating and engaging effectively with their community.

Wellness Advocates (WELLIES)

The Wellies serve the Emma community by promoting a healthy lifestyle and empowering students to make informed choices.

Wellies go through comprehensive and continuous training in consultation with the Health Center, Counseling Center, READY Center and the faculty advisors. They work as peer educators to promote the wellbeing of the community by developing creative and appropriate programming (such as workshops, outreach, and events). Students will gain an enhanced understanding of health and wellness topics and techniques for educating and engaging effectively with their community.

Club Highlights