Extracurricular Activities

TCAPS’ students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities that extend beyond their well-rounded classroom programs. Extracurricular activities help students learn social and leadership skills, such as goal-setting, time management, self-discipline and teamwork, that help prepare them for the Five Adult Roles. Students broaden their experiences through a broad range of extracurricular programs offered throughout Traverse City Area Public Schools.  Involvement helps students to learn important social, leadership and life skills.

TCAPS offers academic teams and competitions to enhance students classroom activities, such as Odyssey of the Mind, the National Geography Bee, the Debate Team, Model United Nations, the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics Competitions, and the National Spelling Bee. TCAPS’ students and teams have won many awards and received special recognition in these extracurricular activities. Other activities include the Student Senate, yearbook publication, the high school newspaper, programming for the local public access television station, and the annual high school musical. The Music Department offers extracurricular activities at all grade levels including bands, choral groups and orchestras. TCAPS’ musical groups are well known across the state for outstanding performances.

Educational athletics is an integral part of school curriculum. Not only does it prepare students for a lifetime of healthy physical activity, it provides outstanding opportunities for learning leadership, self-discipline, teamwork, and commitment. TCAPS’ students have the opportunity to join intramural or varsity teams at both the middle school and high school levels in a variety of sports such as: downhill and cross-country skiing, track, cross-country, tennis, golf, volleyball, soccer, swimming (girls), wrestling, baseball, softball, football, ice hockey, cheerleading, bowling, and basketball. In addition, students may choose participation in other physical activities not under the auspices of the athletic department such as dance and equestrian.

TCAPS’ athletic teams have won numerous athletic titles in conference, district, regional, and state competition. TCAPS’ athletic programs belong to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) as well as the Big North Conference and compete in Division 1 or Class A level in MHSAA competition. Teams have consistently won league championships in multiple sports in both boys’ and girls’ offerings. TCAPS’ high schools have either won or shared the Big North All-Sports Trophy every year since its inception in 1997.

TCAPS’ football teams have qualified regularly for state playoffs, while numerous district and regional titles have been won in a variety of sports. Individual post-season honors have been awarded to TCAPS’ athletes in all sports as well as academic team honors.

Athletic Program Information

TCAPS’ arts programs and curriculum are recognized for their excellence. A comprehensive Arts Curriculum is offered for Music, Visual Arts, and Theatre Arts. At the elementary level, vocal music classes are offered for all grade levels and students in first through fifth grade participate in weekly visual arts lessons taught by a certified instructor, focusing on production techniques connected with art appreciation and art history.

In middle school, sixth grade students may elect instrumental studies in band or orchestra as well as vocal music through choir. The visual arts’ elective, “Art Unleashed,” allows sixth grade students to explore all foundation area in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art. Seventh and eighth grade students may elect from a variety of media. Advanced level courses are available with instructor approval.

High school curriculum options expand to include performing ensembles in music and theatre, as well as extensive coursework in fine and applied arts.

Numerous extracurricular opportunities complement TCAPS’ Arts curriculum. Examples include: Dance Teams, Thespians, School Musicals, Dramatic Productions, Performing Instrumental and Vocal Groups, and National Art Honor Society many of which have earned both national and international acclaim.

Clubs, programs and activities abound at schools throughout the district.  Special interest clubs are as varied and unique as our TCAPS students.  A few examples include Book Clubs, Garden Clubs, Key Club, DECA and much more.  For specific information on clubs and site based extracurricular programs, please link to individual school sites.