Clubs and Special Programs

List of 39 items.

• Amnesty International

  Join the “global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights!” The GPS chapter of Amnesty International seeks to emulate the real-life human rights organization by launching campaigns to raise awareness of human rights abuses, fundraising for Amnesty campaigns, and educating ourselves and the student body about injustice everywhere. Belief is in the power of a small group of dedicated individuals to make a difference in the world. Feel free to join in our efforts to preserve and protect the rights of all people.

• Candlelight Chorus

  Lights! Camera! Audition! Become a part of a Chattanooga holiday tradition by auditioning for McCallie’s Candlelight. The coed vocal performance takes place every December, with tryouts held in the spring.

• Christian Forum

  Christian Forum is a community of believers who assemble together to worship, accept prayer and praise requests, participate in devotionals, or watch videos pertaining to Bible verses or current issues. The group also uses two devotional books, Jesus Calling​ by Sarah Young and Seamless by Angie Smith.

   

• Class Leadership Council

  Be a leading lady! Working closely with your class dean, you can be one of four students responsible for planning and leading class events and activities. Selections are made in the Spring and chosen to coordinate activities for the upcoming year.

• Computer Science Club

  Experience is not needed, only a love of technology! Meeting once a week during activity period, the CS Club explores all things “computer science.” Activities include working in the MakerSpace, learning to code for 3D printing, learning to write apps, and connecting with women working in the field. The CS Club also plans and hosts fun coding events for middle and elementary school students.

  
  

• Creative Writing | Calliope

  Express yourself through verse. Each Fall, Calliope provides a safe but stimulating forum for students to share their original poetry or short fiction. Girls will take inspiration from published works and “assignments,” and engage in workshops. Each Spring, girls edit, design, solicit work for, or contribute to this school-wide literary magazine.
  
  View the latest of Calliope here.

• Current Events

  Let’s talk … Current Events brings students together for open dialogue about what’s happening in our local community, region, country, and the world. The group explores politics, culture, the arts, science, and more. Each week, students meet to discuss developing news stories and prepare a presentation for the student body. Girls are given an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the world, gain more insight into important events and people, and develop handy media and public speaking skills. Throughout the year, Current Events may host additional sessions or speakers on related topics.

• Entrepreneurship Club

  Interested in designing, launching, or developing a business? Learn how to create a unique startup that will have an impact on a chosen community in the world.

• Environmental Club

  Mission: Protect the environment! Raise school-wide awareness of environmental issues. Advocate the improvement of our community through recycling, ecosystem service awareness, and campaigning about environmental issues. Girls will devote time to our community by striving for sustainability, engaging in activities they are passionate about, and by educating others on getting involved.

• Fellowship Of Christian Athletes (FCA)

  Sometimes, love is all we need! FCA focuses on inspiring, engaging, and equipping student athletes to make a difference in the daily lives of their peers by demonstrating Christ's love. Weekly meetings offer encouragement and support.

• Girl Scouts

  Girl Scouts equal Girl Power! Girl Scouts of the USA is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls. In an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. Girl Scouts in Troop #007 at GPS work to develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential.

• GPS Ambassadors

  Diplomat. Champion. Promoter. Be all of these things and more as a GPS Ambassador. Members have a passion for GPS and willingness to assist the Advancement Office with alumnae and admission events as well as school tours to prospective parents and students.

• GyPsieS

  G-P-S! G-P-S! Show your school spirit! This group is responsible for fostering that spirit by celebrating Bruisers in sport, drama, arts, and beyond! Bring your shakers and pay homage to your alma mater!

• Habitat for Humanity

  A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. Our 20+ year partnership with Habitat for Humanity is a joint program between GPS and McCallie. 

• Health Club

  Are you interested in pursuing a career in healthcare? Are you curious and want to learn about the human body? If so, this club is the perfect opportunity for you! Come and learn about diseases, medical career opportunities, and hear from professionals who are successful in their field. 

• Honor Council

  As part of the Honor Council your primary role is to foster a climate of respect and integrity. Members are to encourage a successful honor system, counsel girls who may have violated the honor system, and help them re-establish honorable character. You may also help to instill a sense of pride and integrity in others. Girls from all classes may participate.

• Honors Orchestra

  Let’s hear it for the girls … and boys! The coordinate GPS-McCallie honors orchestra, conducted by music directors from both schools, performs during the Christmas Candlelight concert in December, a full concert each March, and other performances scheduled throughout the year. Students are selected by audition, with practices held Tuesday evenings.

• Junior State of America (JSA)

  There is strength in numbers! JSA is a completely student-run, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that aims to engage young students in the democratic process by teaching them the values of leadership, empowerment, accountability, and diversity and inclusion. The Girls Preparatory School Chapter of Junior State of America aims to achieve this through education and engagement across campus, while allowing girls to gain valuable public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Join us!

• Kaleidoscope

  Members: Creating memories is what Kaleidoscope is all about. Join the school yearbook staff for biweekly meetings during activity periods, where we review updates on yearbook page progress. All fun, and no stress. You will have the luxury of completing your yearbook assignment independently during your free time.
  
  Editors: Have a way with words? Then we need you as part of Kaleidoscope’s editorial staff. Students in grades 10th through 12th are eligible, and expected to manage regular club meetings as well as yearbook staff, and edit all content. Members must have demonstrated proficiency in and a commitment to bringing excellence to the yearbook.

• MarComm Club

  Learn from the best! Gain experience and knowledge directly from our administration of marketing professionals. In the Marketing and Communications Club, you will learn social media, branding, design, news writing, creative campaigns, and public relations under the mentorship of the MarComm team. Upper School girls are introduced to the skills of marketing and communications in an academic setting. Students will play a part in developing and implementing actual creative projects throughout the school year, while learning what comprises school communications, including writing, photography, graphic design, and more.

• Mock Trial

  If you are a future attorney, puzzle solver, aspiring actresses,or just someone who likes a good rerun of Law and Order, Mock Trial is for you. Each year, The Tennessee Bar Association provides a set of facts and the testimony, and students use that information to build a case, playing the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a March competition against area high schools. Students will gain exposure in public speaking and presentation and learn how attorneys structure cases. The spring competition takes place in Chattanooga courtrooms with judges and attorneys presiding.

• Model UN

  Model UN is for those interested in learning more about diplomacy, international relations, or the United Nations. Along the way, you may establish yourself as a critical thinker, a leader and gain a better understanding of our shared world.

• Outdoor Club

  The outdoor club is for girls interested in pursuing outdoor adventures, like climbing, hiking, kayaking and camping. No previous experience is required.

• Partnerships in the Community (PIC)

  Make a difference on campus and beyond! Members of PIC promote school, community, and global service through community partnerships.

• Peer Power

  This is a student-led mentorship club for 11th and 12th graders. In the fall, girls focus on what it means to be a mentor, and then, in the spring, girls develop mentorship relationships with 7th and 8th graders. Topics of discussion include the transition to high school, life as a GPS student, conflict resolution, and more! 

• Photography Club

  The Photography Club is for GPS girls who want to expand their photography knowledge. Club members will learn about photography through lessons and practice about various topics including composition, lighting, camera settings, and more. In general, a new topic will be covered every other week. Club members will have a week to practice each topic and the meeting following each lesson will be a time for sharing, reflection and feedback.

• Science Club

  Your future is waiting; full STEM ahead! Science Club is all about promoting the importance of and interest in science on the GPS campus and in the community. Activities include student led demonstrations and investigations, visiting speakers and educational outreach in the form of a demonstration team. Participation in the Science Olympiad is also an option.

• Science Olympiad (Division B)

  Freshmen members of the club prepare for and compete in teams of two for 3-4 science events.. Sophomore, Junior and Senior members of the club can choose 1-2 events in which to coach middle school students. During our after school meetings, students spend time preparing for their events by building, testing, studying, and practicing.

  
  

  Member coaches (10-12) are expected to commit to the required after school meetings in order to help middle school students prepare for their events. Member coaches work with Mrs. Couch to help 6-8th grade students translate event directions, plan, organize materials, record data and understand science concepts. Participants (9) may attend fewer after school meetings but will often need to work independently on their chosen event. 

   

• Société Honoraire de Français

  Parlez-vous Français? Then join this fantastique club! As a member you will help plan and execute events exposing students, faculty, staff, and the community to the richness and diversity of the Francophone world, including cultural celebrations, culinary specialties tasting, movie nights, games, and more.

• Spanish National Honor Society

  "¡Todos a una!" ("All Together for One Goal"). Spanish National Honor Society is an academic honor society focused on Spanish language excellence in secondary education, and promotes a continuity of interest in Spanish studies. Three semesters of Spanish are required, and acceptance is contingent on high academic achievement in each course of Spanish studied. You and your comrades will explore cultural topics, converse in Spanish, and provide opportunities to share the language and Hispanic heritage with the school and Chattanooga community.

• Spectrum

  GPS has a whole spectrum of news. Help keep everyone in the loop! Apply​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​the​ ​school​ ​newspaper and you could contribute as a reporter, photographer, or even graphic designer for our bi-monthly publication.

• Student Council

  Stand up and stand out! Student Council representatives provide leadership in an array of services to their fellow classmates, including social functions and enforcement of discipline, to serving as spokespersons for the student body.

• SWENext

  Get a taste of the engineering world with SWE-Next (Society of Women Engineers, Next Generation). This imaginative opportunity allows students to deconstruct equipment to see its inner workings, interact with guest speakers (often students and GPS alumnae), and compete against students from other schools in the Test of Engineering Aptitude in Math and Science (an annual nationwide event occurring in the late winter). What are you waiting for?

• Tango String Ensemble

  Try a little something different, and explore new musical stylings! Tango String Ensemble is an audition-select group of young ladies who devote themselves to exploring traditional and not-so-traditional string quartet music. Sit in on one of our meetings during an activity period.

• Tech Crew

  Get Tech-nical with our crew! The Tech Crew has responsibility for manning assemblies and all GPS presentations. Girls will train on sound, light and stagecraft equipment in the Frierson and Evans theatres. Girls will also have scheduled meetings and trainings at the beginning of the year and activity period production meetings, per specific events. If you’re tech savvy, we’re a fit for you.

• TED-Ed

  The TED-Ed club is sponsored through the TED organization and meets every Friday during Activity Period and works on both public speaking and presentation skills as learned through TED Talks. Each club member creates a TED Talk of their own about one of their passions and by the end of the year the club votes on the best talks to showcase in their official TED-Ed Event.

• Terpsichord

  What an honor to be part of GPS’s performing contemporary dance company—the first of its kind in Tennessee. Open to girls in grades 10th through 12th, and by audition only, the company hosts three major concerts a year and allows students to study with professional dancers and choreographers as part of the Guest Artist program. Emphasis is on student choreography. Girls may partake of the after-school component, or incorporate Terpsichord I, II, and III into their curriculum.

• Upper School Dance Ensemble

  The saying goes, “Dance like nobody’s watching!” But with us you’ll want to dance while everyone’s watching as you work to improve your technique. You may even be cast in original choreography that is performed in February. Dance Ensemble welcomes any girl who loves to dance and wants to grow her technical dance skills.

   

• Video Club

  Quiet on the set! (You’re going to want to hear this.) The Video Club invites you to create original short films—no experience needed. You’ll work in a variety of genres and styles while learning about the art and technology involved in the process. Working alone and/or with a team you’ll get hands-on experience writking, producing, directing, starring in, editing, presenting, reviewing, and critiquing your own short films. Girls may also be involved in documenting and editing various Fine Arts performances and school events.

   

  Video Club has a strong educational focus that will complement and expand on skills learned in other art and general education classes, while focusing on creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Girls may prefer being in front of the camera or behind-the-scenes—or both! Video Club presents plenty of opportunities for personal growth, as girls engage their minds, cultivate their strengths, and nurture their self-confidence and respect for others.

   

  streaming of various GPS events.