Upper School Clubs

Club Sessions

Fall Session: August 31 – November 6

Winter Session: November 30 – February 18

Spring Session: March 22 – May 13

Fall Club Registration

Fall Club registration is open until August 24th, 2026. Clubs cost $80 for the Fall Session. If you register your scholar for a club that does not meet the minimum of participants or has exceeded the maximum number of members, you will be given a choice between a refund and registering for another club.

Spring Club Offering

Gallery & Art Practicum

Students will assist in creating exhibitions of student work each semester, practicing curatorial and presentation skills. Students will learn about art and visual culture, write about artworks, and engage in critique. This year there will be a collaborative printmaking art project, resulting in a club portfolio. Interested students will prepare artworks for competition, such as regional VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event).

Thursdays, 4-5pm in 214B
Club Sponsor: Ms. Antonacci
Grades: 9-12

Chess Club

Scholars will come together to learn the different forms and moves of the noble game of chess! Students will play against one another, study historical formations, exercise their minds and hearts, and have the opportunity to compete.

Tuesdays, 4-5pm in 109B
Club Sponsor: Dr. Vendsel
Grades: 6-12

7-8 Grade Drama Club

A community of young artists who are interested in acting and creating. We will gather once a week for an hour to play! We will do improvisation games, physical and vocal warm ups, and scene work. This trimester, students will read and explore the world of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. At the end of the term, we will showcase excerpts from the play for family and friends.

Tuesdays, 4-5 in 138A
Club Sponsor: Ms. Taylor
Grades: 7-8

6 Grade Drama Club

Mondays, 4-5 in 138A
Club Sponsor: Ms. Taylor
Grades: 6

Knitting Club

We learn to knit and make small projects of increasing complexity and usefulness.

Mondays, 4-5pm in Beatrice Library
Club Sponsor: Ms. Ruegemer
Grades: 6-12

Puzzling Club

We will work on and learn different types of puzzles. Working up from regular board puzzles to visual, mental and kinetic. We will work within groups to problem solve and have fun!

Tuesdays, 4-5pm in 154A
Club Sponsor: Ms. Federowski
Grades: 6-12

Cookie Club

Scholars will learn a variety of techniques to create delicious and delectable cookies. Take home samples and recipes for future baking at home on demand. Working from the classic chocolate chip cookie up to decorated cookies, scholars will learn to cream butter, brown butter, when to choose white/brown/or both sugars, white/yolk/whole egg, bake from the bowl or bake after a cold rest strategies, and much more.

Thursdays, 4-5pm in the kitchen
Club Sponsor: Mrs. Halisky
Grades: 8-12

Sketchbook Club

We will bind our own sketchbooks by hand and fill them ourselves! With a variety of media, students will have the opportunity to fill at least one sketchbook page each session with provided materials and prompts. We will work towards having a completed sketchbook that can be kept by the students and admired by their friends and families.

Mondays, 4-5pm in 221A
Club Sponsor: Mr. Schaffer
Grades: 6-12

Watercolor Club

Watercolor club is a fun, hands-on club where students will learn basic watercolor painting techniques while creating their own colorful works of art. Members will start with the basics – practicing color theory, brushstrokes, color mixing – and then branch out into creating their very own watercolor masterpieces! The goal is to bring students together in a peaceful environment to practice their skills, and build up their confidence using a new and exciting medium.

Mondays, 4-5pm in 118A
Club Sponsor: Ms. Antonacci
Grades: 6-8

Philosophy Club

In the last 2000 years philosophers have come up with some fascinating logic puzzles! In this club we will look at a few of them. In our meetings we will introduce one or two famous puzzles, then we will spend time talking about potential solutions. This is a club for people who like to get together with friends, bring snacks to share, and engage in friendly debate about mind-bending riddles. Come join us!

Thursdays, 4-5pm in 109B
Club Sponsor: Dr. Vendsel
Grades: 9-12

Civil Discourse Club

The aim of this club is to promote mutual understanding by teaching students how to respectfully discuss difficult and often polarizing topics. Through moderated campus dialogues on a wide range of resolutions, guided by parliamentary procedure and a clear code of conduct, students are guided in engaging thoughtfully and respectfully, even in disagreement. We believe these skills are worth cultivating because every person deserves to be treated with dignity, regardless of their views. Moreover, the ability to engage in productive conversations about important topics is an essential part of a flourishing life. Unlike a traditional debate club, the focus is not on persuasion or winning arguments, but on listening well and seeking mutual understanding of each other’s views.

Mondays, 4-5pm in 204B
Club Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Perkins
Grades: 9-12

Floriculture Club

We will be exploring the meaning of flowers and their traditional uses. Do you know you have a birthday flower? We will investigate and learn all about flowers, their history and historical uses in societies. We will end this club learning how to do floral arranging and make your floral arrangement to take home with you.

Thursdays, 4-5pm in 138A
Club Sponsor: Ms. Taylor
Grades: 6-8

Inkstain Magazine Club

We edit the student literary magazine for the high school. Our aim is to publish a professional, tasteful magazine of student literature twice a year, Fall and Spring sessions only.

Tuesdays, 4-5pm in 116B
Club Sponsor: Mr. Ward
Grades: 9-12

Yoga Club

Yoga club will be a place for students to connect mind and body through controlled movement and breathing. This club gives students the opportunity to learn traditional yoga styles, including Vinyasa and Hatha, and develop strength and flexibility. Bring your own mat.

Thursdays, 4-5pm in 115B
Club Sponsor: Mrs. Wiersdorf
Grades: 9-12

Mustang Chamber Choir

The Mustang Chamber Choir is an audition based choral ensemble that seeks to showcase the truth, goodness and beauty of choral music. This ensemble performs regularly for both school and community events. Auditions will be Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th during Lyceum. Registration will be emailed to those scholars invited to belong to the Chamber Choir after auditions.

Every Tuesday and Thursday during Lyceum
Club Sponsor: Mr. Beadle
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $100 (year long commitment if accepted into the ensemble)

Mustang String Ensemble

The Mustang String Ensemble is a newly formed ensemble that seeks to offer instrumental instruction & performance opportunities here at Great Hearts Irving. This group is open to all 9-12 grade scholars with some experience playing a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, piano). Students bring their own instruments. This ensemble performs regularly for both school and community events.

Every Monday during Lyceum
Club Sponsor: Mr. Beadle
Grades: 9-12
Cost of Club: $100 per semester (year long commitment)

Scientific Research/Literature Club

The Research Club is a student-led organization where members explore topics in biology, chemistry, and medicine by designing and completing their own research projects. Students will be guided through each stage of the research process by two Biology/Chemistry teachers. No prior research experience is required. The goal is to give students the support and opportunities needed to turn their scientific questions into completed research projects.

Tuesdays, 4-5 in 119B
Club Sponsors: Mr. Flores, Mr. Climaco
Grades: 6-12

Mock Trial

Mock Trial teaches you about court room procedures and about your rights as an individual. Students will engage in local school competitions, in which they occupy roles as prosecuting and defense attorneys to address sample court cases.

Thursdays 4-5pm in 103B
Club Sponsor: Ms. Boudreaux
Grades: 9-12

Debate Club

The Debate club is an academic organization devoted to mastering the art of Lincoln-Douglass style debate. With a core focus on fostering virtues and mutual respect, and maintaining a charitable and collaborative environment, the club strictly avoids current events/politics. Instead, members will analyze foundational texts and debate timeless topics.

Mondays 4-5pm in 213B
Club Sponsor: Mr. Bergez
Grades: 9-12

Music History Club

Club participants will come to explore all kinds of music, from Baroque to 21st century. The curriculum will also include brief music theory lessons on concepts from the above time periods. The purpose of the club would be to inspire students to listen to, explore, and study different types of music. Each session would go in depth into different periods and composers.

Mondays, 4-5pm in 136A
Club Sponsors: Mrs. Herman, Mrs. Vallery, Mr. Fowler
Grades: 6-12

Film Thinker’s Society

The Film Thinker’s Society provides a space in which students can discuss timeless films in a socratic seminar format. Discussions would take place every two weeks over assigned films in an effort to develop students’ powers of reflection and expression on great cinema.

Thursdays 4-5pm in 205A
Club Sponsor: Mrs. Worth
Grades: 9-12

Pick Up

All scholars attending clubs should be picked up at the front door of the building where the club is held promptly at 5:00pm. (Please note whether the club is in the High School or Middle School building.) Scholars who are not picked up by 5:15pm will be sent to Homework Club and families will be charged for the time their scholar spends there.

Further Questions?

For questions about Upper School clubs, please reach out to the Assistant Headmaster of Middle School, Celeste Wheelock at celeste.wheelock@greatheartstxschools.org