Senior School Student Life & Belonging

The York School encourages students to play an active role in the life of the school, their local community, and beyond. Students are encouraged to find their voices, participate in decision-making, and to embrace their leadership potential. Through meaningful service learning opportunities, we strive to develop an increased sense of social responsibility, a global view of society, and a passion for helping others. Our rich co-curricular opportunities help balance and inspire the academic program by providing students with connections to the community, broadened social networks, and exposure to varied experiences. Students are able to find their passions, learn to communicate effectively with their peers, and embrace the opportunity to be their best selves. If you have any questions regarding student leadership, co-curricular programming, student life, or service-learning contact Erin Porter, Director of Student Life & Belonging, Middle & Senior School.

Student Leadership

We are committed to developing each individual student as they actualize their leadership potential. Our model is progressive with positions and portfolios designed with students’ age and stage in mind. As students engage with the many, varied leadership roles offered at York, they will find opportunities to collaborate with their peers and the faculty to create a dynamic, engaging, and inclusive school community. Students apply, and in some cases are elected, for their leadership roles in the Spring of the year prior with opportunities made available in the Fall for incoming students. Through increased consultation, we are leveraging student voice in decision-making regarding school climate and culture.

Some of our leadership opportunities include the following:

  • Student Council Chair

  • Grade Representative

  • House Head

  • Spirit Director

  • Yearbook Editor

  • Newspaper Editor

  • Communications Director

  • Wellbeing Director/Committee member

  • Belonging & Community Outreach Director/Committee member

  • Peer Mentor or Peer Tutor

  • Student Ambassador Coordinator/Committee member

  • Athletics Representative

  • Arts Representative

  • Social Affairs Representative

  • Eco Committee Coordinator/Committee member

Co-curricular Clubs

A balanced, rich, and rewarding co-curricular program complements our academic curriculum. Participation in co-curricular activities, service initiatives, social events, and our house system is integral to student life. The York School offers a diverse and constantly evolving list of clubs to nurture student interests and build strong interpersonal skills. Some of the clubs and co-curriculars offered at York include:

  • Debate

  • Public Speaking

  • DECA 

  • Model UN

  • Chess

  • Taylor Swift Society

  • Jewish Culture Club

  • Asian Student Alliance

  • Gender Sexuality Alliance

  • Reach for the Top

  • Robotics Team

  • Improv Club

  • Jazz Band

  • Choir

  • Mandarin Club

  • Duke of Ed Club

Please note that the co-curricular schedule for our clubs and student leadership committees will be released on September 6. Middle and Senior School leadership committee meetings will start on September 9 and all clubs will start on September 23.

Students in Service

We foster global-mindedness and a sense of social responsibility by creating school-wide and divisional service learning initiatives and opportunities. Students build partnerships with different organizations and act as project managers for all awareness and fundraising campaigns. We respond to issues emerging locally and globally with meaningful service learning opportunities. We mobilize youth to make change and develop compassion and empathy for others. For more information about Service, please contact the Director of Student Life & Belonging, Middle & Senior School.