High School Clubs

Breakfast Club 2.0 QSA

Breakfast Club 2.0 is a welcoming and affirming place for students who want to meet other members of ORCA’s diverse LGBTQIA+ high school community. We meet weekly to chat, socialize, discuss LGBTQIA+ history and experience, and to provide a safe space to discuss our lives together. 

Music Club

OVERVIEW

Music Club is for high school students interested in creating and enjoying music. Instrumentalists, singers, songwriters, electronic producers, and music appreciators are all welcome. The wide range of skill levels and styles in Music Club is encouraged. Music Club students have access to SoundTrap, a web-based music production tool that comes with a huge sample library to get you started. If desired, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate on songs with other members of Music Club through SoundTrap, live meetings, and a discussion in the course. We have developed a wonderful culture of practice, kindness, appreciation, and improvement.

Performances are a time when students can perform something they’ve been working on for the Club. Performing is optional! We ask that performers sign up ahead of time.

Mini-Lessons are taught on topics ranging from SoundTrap details to music theory to the history of a genre. The sky's the limit!

Collaboration times are for students to work on the same song together in Soundtrap or outside of it. We also like sign-ups ahead of time to help things run smoothly.

SHOWCASES

The club hosts Music Club Showcases at the end of each semester. The Showcase is a Virtual Field Trip where we invite the entire school to see students perform. The Showcase also includes a website where recordings are posted. We want to use the Showcase to encourage students to polish a song and push it to the next level.

ORCA NASA Club

This club is open to all ORCA students in grades K-12. 

The purpose of this ORCA NASA Club is to:

  • Educate members about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

  • Provide a venue for sharing of educational resources to increase awareness of and interest in astronomy & earth space science.

Opportunities available to members of this NASA club:

During this school year you will receive monthly invites to live streamed 60 minute assemblies hosted by NASA staff broadcast live from either the Space Center Houston in Texas, the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, and the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. You will have access to a bunch of enrichment materials, apps, activities and website links with STEM themed content.You will be able to interact with like minded NASA club members to share your interests.

The Good Deeds Youth Research & Advocacy Club 

This club focuses on youth involvement in advocacy through various organizations with an emphasis on the research aspect of intentional and informative representation. The club has active connections with multiple networks and organizations, including Good DeEds (global STEM issues), Our Future (climate justice/action), Youth HPV Champions (HPV-related cancer prevention), the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance (student health), and more! Students will have the opportunity to get involved with these organizations while learning more about effective advocacy and research.

Activities planned for this club: Through other organizations and networks, members of the Good Deeds Youth Research & Advocacy Club will have the chance to collaborate with partner organizations on meaningful projects. Students can expect to participate in workshops and training sessions focused on topics such as elevator pitches, research methods, and policy writing. In addition, there may be opportunities to get involved with advocacy days, awareness campaigns, and other youth-driven initiatives.

Mathmatica Club

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THIS CLUB

  • Structurally vital for all applications, math isn’t only a homework assignment, but it’s also an adventure. With puzzling complexities that are near infinite, unknown angles that need the x-pertise, and with some answers that can go undefined, a whole other world awaits. Where will your problems take you?

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS JOIN THIS CLUB?

  • Encouraging the usage of math on a grander scale to build up skills needed for real-life applications, through the use of finding others with the same passions.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS CLUB?

  • Cultivating math readiness through practicing, competing, and sharing each other's love for solving algebraically challenging problems, going beyond where the bars are set before us.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED FOR THIS CLUB?

  • Math Competitions

  • Daily and/or Weekly Math Problems

  • Kahoots

  • Exploring/Explaining Math Theories

  • Researching Math Concepts

  • Etc.

Mountain Biking Club

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THIS CLUB:

If you ride bikes for fun, race competitively, or just like to bike this club is for you! We will explore XC, Enduro, Gravity, Road, Gravel, Track, BMX, and more.

Meetings: Subject to participants input

WHY SHOULD STUDENTS JOIN THIS CLUB?

Students should join the Mountain Biking Club because it is a great way to connect with people who have similar interests.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS CLUB?

The goal of this club is to stay in contact with MTB riders in the ORCA community

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED FOR THIS CLUB?

We will have many fun Kahoots, Padlets, Quizlets, and more! As well as a website to stay in touch with each other.

National Honor Society

National Honor/National Junior Honor Society is an organization that gives students the chance to practice leadership through service. Members of NHS/NJHS commit themselves to four core qualities: Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. We meet every other week with all members, and group officers meet every week. Interested students may complete the membership application, which is due by the end of semester A.

Meeting time to be voted upon by members.

Prayer Club

WHY JOIN?

Looking for a safe environment to take a break from school and hang out with friends? Then Prayer Club is for you! Here in Prayer club, we all hang out, listen to music, play games, chat with friends, hang out on webcam (not required), talk on mic (also not required), and learn more about the Bible all together (it doesn't matter if you know everything about the Bible or nothing at all; we're in this together!) We end off all our meetings with a prayer of good health and good wishes for everyone (anyone who would like to go on mic or in chat and ask for specific prayers is welcome to, and if you don't feel comfortable doing that, I will see what I can do about having an anonymous option set up.  Or, you can just listen to the prayers, if you wish.) Anyone who is curious and willing to learn and wants to make new friendships are welcome! We do, however, ask that everyone in this club is respectful of everyone who attends. 

MEETINGS

Weekly, starting in October

Activities include: Kahoot, Jeopardy, and more!

Cubers Club/Puzzlers Unite

DESCRIPTION

This club is open to all puzzlers and cubers alike, we like to solve puzzles, figure out answers to difficult questions, escape from escape rooms. And most of all learn puzzle strategy and cubing strategy. If you want to learn something new join this club, we will also learn how to solve a plethora of Rubik's cubes.

WHY JOIN

If you like puzzles and/or Cubing (That is rubik's cubing), then you should join this club, we will play games, solve puzzles, escape escape rooms, and learn puzzle strategy.

GOAL

To promote puzzle solving and strengthen critical thinking and puzzle knowledge.

ACTIVITIES PLANNED

Escape rooms, puzzle strategy lessons, puzzles themselves, and games.

Muslim Student Alliance

The online Muslim Student Association (MSA) can foster a vibrant community through various activities designed to support and engage members. They can organize virtual study circles or halaqas focusing on Islamic teachings, offering a platform for students to deepen their understanding of their faith. Social events, such as online game nights, virtual picnics, and movie screenings, can help build camaraderie among members. The club can also host webinars and guest speaker sessions featuring scholars and professionals discussing diverse topics, from career advice to contemporary issues facing the Muslim community. Additionally, the MSA can coordinate online volunteering and charity initiatives, encouraging students to contribute positively to their communities. Interfaith dialogues and collaborative events with other student organizations can promote mutual understanding and respect. These activities ensure that the online MSA remains a supportive and active community, despite the physical distance.

WHY JOIN?

Students should never be afraid to express their faith and feel safe in their school. At MSA we encourage all Muslim students to join and find other student's here at ORCA who share the same belief!

CLUB GOAL

Our goal is to help Muslim students step outside their shell, and realize they aren't alone. It's time to bring out the diversity here at ORCA and act on it!

ACTIVITIES PLANNED

Social events, talking about Opportunities for volunteering or get togethers at local mosques, getting to know each other, reading from the Quran and sharing our own personal knowledge on our religion with each other.

Newspaper Club (The Current)

WHY JOIN?

The Newspaper Club is a great place to become more connected with the ORCA community and be part of a team. You’ll get a chance to increase your skills in writing, editing, and digital literacy as you showcase your writing and the achievements of our diverse student body. You'll also have a great time collaborating with a motivated community of student journalists who want to build their experience and skill set.

OUR CLUB GOAL

The Newspaper Club publishes The Current, ORCA’s very own student-run newspaper staffed by high school and middle school students. Issues are released on a monthly basis throughout the school year.The Current aims to provide high-quality, unbiased journalism covering topics relevant to the Oregon Charter Academy community and beyond. Newspaper Club members prioritize teamwork and constructive criticism in a creative, collaborative environment.

ACTIVITIES

We publish our online school newspaper, The Current, which focuses on written news and other creative work and journalism relevant to students in our statewide school community. We value quality journalism, a constructive atmosphere, and having a great time making ORCA a better place. Our meetings focus on planning and editing. If the meeting times don't work for you, you can join the club and contribute by writing articles on either topics we give you or topics you propose. You can also use the Contact link at the bottom of our site to submit comments and articles without joining the club.

Chess Club

OUR CLUB GOAL

To learn how to play chess and make friends.

WHY JOIN?

To make friends while playing chess and learning to beat their parents. 

ACTIVITIES

  • Playing chess

  • Making friends

  • Competing in tournaments

Yearbook

OUR CLUB GOAL

Students will embrace creating the high school yearbook. Students will work collaboratively to build the ORCA High School Yearbook.

ACTIVITIES

During the fall, students will be meeting monthly. By the last leg of the journey, we will be meeting bi-weekly or weekly depending on the needs of the yearbook staff. Students will have the opportunity to use their creativity to design pages, organize layouts and take photos of ORCA field trips and events. Students will become familiar with Picaboo, the site we use to create the school’s yearbook.  

MEETINGS

Monthly (1st semester), weekly (2nd semester) - this might change to bi-weekly between the 1st and 2nd semester, depending on yearbook progression and needs. Meeting days and times will be voted on by club members.

Spanish Buddies

CLUB GOAL

Practice speaking, reading, writing and listening to Spanish. Also learn more about the Spanish speaking countries.

WHY JOIN?

Did you know that Spanish is the third largest spoken language in the whole world aside from Mandarin and English being the top two? Spanish is one of the many ways to learn more about your inner heritage or even just to satisfy your fascination or curiosity surrounding the Hispanic culture and language that comes with it. Learning Spanish is also a great way to communicate with your family members, friends or even to meet people from other backgrounds unlike your own. We help with conversational speaking, connecting with your peers, learning about Spanish speaking countries, writing, reading and more. There are many more aspects that surround this unique culture, that is why we are diving more into it! Are you ready for what's to come?

ACTIVITIES

  • Breakout Rooms

  • Vocabulary Study

  • Grammar

  • Geography

  • Scenarios of Conversation

  • Kahoot

  • Quizziz

  • Spanish Escape Rooms

  • More to come...

Broadcasting Club

PURPOSE OF THIS CLUB

The broadcasting club leads the video newsletter for ORCA, filming video segments that showcase the amazing students at our school. Learn video creation best practices, collaborate with peers who enjoy video production, and help show off what an amazing school ORCA is in this club!

Join this club if you have an interest in video production and want to help determine the creative direction of the school video newsletter.

CLUB GOAL

The goal of the club is to produce the monthly video newsletter for ORCA, filming video segments that inform and showcase students at the school.

ACTIVITIES

The club will meet once per month and video segments each month will be filmed by club members. On location filming field trips will be planned based on input from club members.

Book Battle

CLUB DESCRIPTION

Book Club is a voluntary reading motivation and comprehension program where students in grades 6-8, regardless of ability, are exposed to quality literature representing a variety of literary styles and viewpoints.  This club will be using books from the Oregon Battle of the Books list.

WHY JOIN?

This club is used to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and to promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.

CLUB GOAL

Promote and encourage reading and discussion of high quality literature books  and provide an opportunity for friendly competition as we progress through the novels.

ACTIVITIES

We will read and discuss a designated book each month. At the end of each book we will have a competitive activity with an optional Book Battle in May.

MEETINGS

Sign Up by October 16th

Drama Club

CLUB DESCRIPTION 

Drama club is designed to engage students in the performing arts and theater and also get the opportunity to participate in a play all while staying online!

CLUB GOAL

The goal is to create a production made and written by ORCA students of all ages!

WHY JOIN? 

Students who join will get a chance to audition for a role in the production and given a role best for that student. 

ACTIVITIES 

Audition for roles, help put on a play for the school, and make friends.

MEETINGS

Bi-weekly meetings starting November 8th - time to be updated soon

Garden / Farm / Homesteaders Club

WHY JOIN?

Promotes and increases knowledge of agriculture, as well as being around like-minded people who are interested in natural ways of living, preserving, and growing. 

CLUB GOAL

To embrace a healthier way of living through food, to share and learn more about backyard homesteading, animals, gardening, plants, and the food we grow/consume. Through gaining knowledge of where it all starts! 

ACTIVITIES

We will be learning where it all starts, where things are grown, what agriculture is, how plants grow, parts of plants, why plants are essential, how to grow your food, talking about livestock, cultivating valuable and ornamental plants, and other homesteading topics. (ie. Chickens hatching, sourdough starter, plants from seed to harvest, bread making, caring for animals, and much more.)

MEETINGS

We will meet twice monthly or weekly, solely based on student interests.

The Book Thieves

CLUB DESCRIPTION

The Book Thieves is an awesome book club where we read and discuss amazing books. 

CLUB GOAL

The goal of this club is to create a space for book lovers or people who want to get into reading more to come together and share and read 

WHY JOIN? 

Join a super supportive community of book readers and lovers who want to share their love of reading. 

ACTIVITIES

Activities include voting and picking books we want to read as a club, discussing books, sharing favorite books, genres, and authors, and other fun reading related activities! 

Pens & Prose (formerly Poetry Pals)

WHY JOIN

Do you love writing? Poetry? Short-stories? Come in and join us! With monthly challenges, fun activities, showcase and grow your writing skills! We offer tips, tricks, and help with all things written! Whether you love to read it, or write it, we cover it! Join now! 

OUR CLUB GOAL

To bring awareness to the power of writing in a nice, healthy, fun environment. We teach different styles of writing with writing challenges, showcases, and fun discussion. Writing is inexpensive, and one of a kind. It’s meant to be shared, which is what we are all about! 

ACTIVITIES

Challenges with themes, and Live Classes devoted to sharing students’ works. We dive into studies of famous poets/writers, and give examples of how to be effectively efficient writers.

Military Leadership Club

This club is open to all ORCA students in grades 6-12. The purpose of the ORCA Military Leadership Club is to: 

  • Provide an introduction to the U.S. Military

  • Community service opportunities

  • Fitness

  • History

  • Leadership growth outside of NHS and Student Government

  • Discuss options within the military outside of high school

  • Studying for and opportunities towards taking the military aptitude test (ASVAB)

Speech and Debate

CLUB DESCRIPTION

Speech and Debate provides students the opportunity to debate current world issues in a variety of ways and to work on public speaking, critical thinking, and argumentation skills that will serve them well into the future.

CLUB GOAL

The goal of the Speech and Debate Club is to provide a community in which ideas, beliefs, or topics can be discussed openly. The Speech and Debate Club is also a place where students can grow as speakers and gain confidence in public speaking.

WHY JOIN?

Students should join the Speech and Debate Club in order to enhance not only their speaking skills, but also their critical thinking as well. Discussing debate topics will help students understand more about issues and concepts all over the world. With debate, students will be able to gain key soft skills and a broader worldview.

According to the National Speech and Debate association, there are three reasons to join your high school speech and debate club:

Get over your fear of public speaking.

Public speaking is a critical skill for any career path, and there’s no better way to get comfortable with it than practice. Speech and Debate gives students endless opportunities to practice their public speaking skills in classrooms.

Improve your academic standing.

Former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan argued that high school speech and debate was uniquely suited to build skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and civic engagement. These skills are crucial for colleges and future employers, and countless studies have shown the impact of speech and debate education on high school standardized test scores, attendance, college admission rates, and more.

Use your voice to change the world.

Whether you’re telling a story through an interpretation event or advocating for an issue in debate, speech and debate gives you the opportunity to stand up and take a stand. Your voice is powerful — use it!


ACTIVITIES

Fun games (Kahoot, Would You Rather, etc...), group activities, and real-time debates.

Photography and Film Club

CLUB DESCRIPTION

Photography & Film club offers a platform for middle and high school students to share their art and join a community of like-minded peers. Through this club, you will be able to grow your abilities in either your photography or film niche and engage in monthly prompts to hone your creativity.

CLUB GOAL

We aim to create a safe space for aspiring photographers and mini-film directors to socialize, share their work and find a community of artists and friends to support them on their creative journey. Whether you are a casual picture-taker or a committed director, Photography & Film club is a place for everyone.

WHY JOIN?

By joining, you'll be given an opportunity to share artistically and socialize with like-minded peers without having the stress of a graded course.

ACTIVITIES

Bi-weekly meetings for socialization and monthly themed prompts to inspire you and your camera. You will also be able to participate in frequent discussions for peer feedback on your photos and videos, questions including your favorite photographer or film director and the camera you use and socialization with classmates.

MEETINGS

Zoom meetings will run every-other week on Tuesday's  - time to be determined.

Gamers ‘R’ Us

WHY JOIN

To provide students with an opportunity to play and celebrate their interests in games such as board games, D&D, video games, word games, etc.Students may also explore game creation through Scratch or even designing their own board games. 

CLUB GOAL

To socialize, make friends, and enjoy games.

ACTIVITIES

D&D campaign, video game strategies, artwork inspired by games, word games, game design, and more!