Student Activities and Clubs

The A Cappella Club, which meets after school, consists of two small groups of girls comprised of both Middle and Upper School students. One group will travel to neighboring organizations to perform for others while the second group will remain on the Maryvale campus to perform throughout the school.

The Asian Culture Club will explore the East Asian countries (Japan, South Korea, etc.) and learn about their cultures. Activities will include eating the countries' native food, listening to the their popular music and learning a little bit of their language.

The Athletic Association, also known as AA, is comprised of four appointed captains (two seniors and two juniors). The group meets every Monday to discuss potential fundraisers, pep rallies, Spirit Week, AA dance, and anything else related to athletics. These students also put together the sports reports for Community Homeroom each week.

The Black Student Union discusses with and educates its members and the wider community about African American culture and its impact on society. The club also will focus on creating unity between African American students.

Maryvale Middle and Upper school students participate in Book Clubs to promote reading for pleasure and to encourage sharing ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. The Upper School Book Club meets monthly (except for January) during Resource period. For each meeting, participants select a book and lead a discussion. The Middle School Book Club meets every other month during Resource to discuss books they have selected as a group. Middle Schoolers also have the chance to be a part of the Book Nook Club, which meets monthly during Resource to design and display a book theme in the display case by the Butler's Pantry in the Castle.

The Cappies is an awards organization for high school theater (similar to the Tony’s) in the Baltimore area. We’re looking for critics for Maryvale’s team! Members will attend other school’s theater shows (for free!) and then compose reviews of the productions. The program is fun, looks great on college applications and most importantly, improves your writing.

Members of the Chess Club will meet regularly to enhance their chess-playing skills, socialize with friends and participate in opportunities to compete against other schools.

Color Guard is a performance art that combines of the use of flags, sabres and other equipment, as well as dance and other interpretive movement. Members meet after school to practice. Maryvale’s Color Guard is open to students in grades eight through 12.

Students involved in this club meet regularly to teach each other the skills for various crafts including knitting, crocheting and embroidery, just to name a few.

The Creative Writing Club embraces and promotes students' creative writing. Members will form a supportive environment where they will be able to examine and create their own pieces of writing.

This club encourages Maryvale student athletes to be Christ-like on and off the field. It also helps girls grow in their faith.

Forensic Speech Club is open to any Upper Schooler who is interested in sharpening her speech and debate, public speaking and performance skills. The club will participate in competitions with nearby schools and serve as an outlet for student networking. Events that club members will experience include, but are not limited to, dramatic performance, interpretation of literature (duo or solo) and extemporaneous speaking.

The Grey Towers newspaper is Maryvale’s student e-newspaper. The staff consists of reporters, photographers and editors who produce the Upper School newspaper. The publication covers important events and highlights students whose skills and interests are remarkable. All Upper School students are welcome to join the staff. For more information, please contact Mr. Rance Denton, the faculty advisor, at dentonr@maryvale.com.

The Human Rights Club serves as an organization that promotes the message of equality. Its mission is to inform students about human rights violations and global conflict throughout the world. The club strives to create an environment where all issues and thoughts can be discussed without fear of judgement. Education of international issues brings cross-cultural understanding and removes prejudices giving students a new outlook on the world.

The International Thespian Society (ITS) is the Educational Theatre Association’s student honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students. Since 1929, EdTA has inducted more than 2 million thespians into ITS. That number continues to grow, with more than 36,000 students from around the country being inducted each year.

Students in this club meet two or three times a week to practice and refine their ability to answer academic questions quickly and correctly under pressure. The club competes against other Baltimore-area public and independent schools. At least once a year, It's Academic competitions are broadcast on television. All Upper School students are welcome to join this organization.

The Lion's Tale, Maryvale's Middle School newspaper, radiates our Middle School creativity and energy. A popular club, members range from being reporters and "creative journalists," to photographers and graphic designers working with Microsoft Publisher. Each issue features top stories within the Middle School, updates on clubs and sporting events, opinion polls, a "guess who" article, an advice column, "horror scopes," puzzles and a plethora of pictures capturing the smiles of the Middle School girls who bring the pages to life. The club runs efficiently with its managing editor (eighth grader) and assistant editor (seventh grader) leading its editorial staff under the direction of teacher Brian Coyle.

In a fun yet challenging simulation of the U.S. court system, the team develops a plaintiff's side and a defense side for a specific case in this statewide competition. The girls prepare arguments as lawyers and prep as witnesses in order to face other high school teams for matches at the Towson Court House.

The Model United Nations is a program run by area colleges, which is a direct simulation of the United Nations. Maryvale is assigned a country, and our students become “delegates” from this nation. They collect information about historical and current issues facing their nation, as well as their nation’s international policy and role on the world stage. At the simulation, Maryvale students meet in model United Nations committees with high school students from other area schools and work together to create international legislation. In typical years, students attend two conferences. Past conferences have included those hosted by Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia.

The National Art Honor Society is a national organization founded by the National Art Education Association committed to recognizing high school students who demonstrate outstanding abilities in visual art. Through their effort, attitude and sense of dedication in the field of art these students consistently demonstrate the highest qualities of art scholarship, character and service, completing a minimum of 8 service hours each year.

Membership in the Sr. Shawn Marie Maguire Chapter of the National Honor Society is an honor bestowed on students who demonstrate high standards of scholarship, character, leadership and service. Students must have a total cumulative grade point average of 3.75 and demonstrate integrity, cooperation and sound moral and ethical principles consistently. Students should display leadership, reliability and initiative and pursue a leadership role in school and/or the community at the time of consideration. Students must also demonstrate at least 50 hours of meaningful service to the community at the time of consideration. Our Honor Society conducts a variety of service projects throughout the year.

Both Honor Societies recognize outstanding academic achievement in Spanish and French Language. The standards to be accepted into these societies are national standards, so participants have reached national standards of excellence.

Honor Society students provide tutoring to other Maryvale students and are involved in service projects, such as helping people from Hispanic and Francophone communities. Participants also help organize cultural events to encourage enthusiasm for foreign language learning.

The St. Julie Billiart Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society adheres to many of the same ideals stated above for the National Honor Society. To be considered for membership, students must demonstrate the highest standards of scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship and service. Additionally, students must be seventh or eighth graders, and have completed one year of schooling at Maryvale. Selection and induction take place in the fall of each year.

The National Math Honor Society, or Mu Alpha Theta, is dedicated to inspiring keen interest in mathematics, developing strong scholarship in the subject and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics in high school and two-year college students. The organization of mathematics clubs serves over 108,000 student members in more than 2,200 schools in the United States and 20 foreign countries.

The One Love Club works in conjunction with the One Love organization to educate the Maryvale community on healthy relationships.

Photography Club will serve as an opportunity for students to share their passion for photography while having a community that supports their interest. Students will do peer critiques, present projects, and edit photos in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Physics Club allows students to participate in extra-curricular lab experiments to advance curiosity and knowledge in the area of physics. Members will have the opportunity to experience field trips, guest lectures and competitions throughout the year.

R.O.A.R is an Upper School club where students travel to the Maryland SPCA, a local animal shelter, to volunteer for two to three hours after school. Student's interact with the shelter's dogs by providing companionship, playing with them and taking them on walks.

Learn more about details and registration instructions for Maryvale's Ski Club here.

Community Service is an essential part of Maryvale's mission. We strive to encourage young women to learn about their unique gifts and talents to serve, lead others in service and succeed in growing their character. SoJuCo exists to provide students with opportunities locally, nationally and internationally to serve the common good.

The Maryvale Student Council offers students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership, communication and organizational skills. Collaborative leadership, inclusivity and service are the hallmarks of Maryvale's Student Council. The Upper and Middle School Student Councils hold regular, monthly meetings that are open to all students. The Upper School Student Council organizes and directs Maryvale’s weekly Community Homeroom. Both councils sponsor fundraisers for various charitable groups. In the Upper School, the positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer are elected positions. Middle School students elect a president, vice president and treasurer.

This club combines the love of Star Wars with creative arts. At each meeting, club members will expand their knowledge about the franchise while making a fun project.

Tennis Club members will sharpen their tennis skills during the fall at L'Hirondelle Club. The goal is for students to learn and develop a love for the game of tennis.