US Additional Academic Opportunities
Community School encourages students to participate in co-curricular activities, activities that often extend and apply the ideas that they learn in academic classes. The benefits of such involvement are substantial. The students learn interpersonal skills that help develop leadership, confidence, determination, and responsibility. We encourage students to participate in no more than two co-curricular activities while playing seasonal sports. Students may wish to coordinate their co-curricular activities with their academic program to build on areas of strength. Students who wish counseling on the selection of co-curricular activities as they relate to individual college goals should meet with their advisor or with a college counselor. There is a Club Fair every fall to kick off student signups and share information.
Computer Science
Coding Team - This program is designed for both expert and beginning programmers: students work together solving problems (and having fun at the same time.) The Team prepares for various programming competitions such as the American Computer Science League (ACSL), ACM-sponsored events at Universities, CSN's Programming Competition (NFPC) and Mu Alpha Theta contests.
Computer Science Club - The CS Club is a community for using computer science to create items. The club meets weekly to develop physical products, apps, or games. Members will travel to the Orlando Maker Faire (November 5-6, 2022) and will also have the opportunity to organize and host a hackathon or maker faire.
Robotics Team - Students work together to design, engineer, and code a robot to play and win the current year's VEX Robotics Challenge. Winning robots advance from the local level -- to States -- with the goal of playing in the World's biggest robotics competition in April. To stay on the team, robots must reach certain performance milestones. You will have a lot of fun while learning engineering design, project management, programming, teamwork, strategic thinking, and competitive cooperation.
SHE++ Girls in Tech - This a supportive group of girls who have fun while learning about computer science. Members build innovative tech projects and compete against other schools in online hackathons and cyber security competitions. The club also mentors and serves as role models for lower school girls. The club will participate in the Orlando Maker Faire (November 5-6, 2022) and will also have the opportunity to organize and host a hackathon or maker faire.
English
Wordsmiths - Members of Wordsmiths will meet regularly to engage in activities surrounding the love of literature and craft. Wordsmiths help to organize Writers’ Week events and to produce Tessera, the school’s literary and arts annual. Other activities may include participation in writing workshops, open mic nights, and seminars for students in other divisions.
Math / Science
Environmental Club - In the Environmental Club, students learn more about the major environmental issues both locally and globally. Students will have opportunities to participate in service-learning projects and will also work to improve environmental stewardship on campus. Planning and participating in an engaging Earth Day for the high school will be a new initiative we pursue this year.
HOSA: Future Health Professionals - This competitive club is geared to a wide range of students with a variety of interests. Categories include every facet of the healthcare industry such as Health Career Photography, Interview Skills, Medical Math, EMT and Pathophysiology. The competitions include judged presentations, portfolios, knowledge tests and practicums. Participation in this club comes with a national membership fee and additional fees for registration and travel to competitions.
Mu Alpha Theta - Mu Alpha Theta is a national mathematics honor society that promotes the study of math. At CSN, all students are welcome to attend practice sessions in Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics. The sessions will give students an opportunity to look at math from a different perspective and learn to deal with non-routine situations in math. If interested, students may then participate in local and state math competitions that are held from November through April.
Science Competition Club - This club is opened to any student who is interested in having extra time to either prepare for competitions or projects for events such as Science Fair, Inventors Fair and HOSA, or to become involved in other local competitions.
Social Sciences
Academic Quiz Team - Students compete as a team against other schools in an academic question and answer competition at both the varsity and junior varsity level. Questions range from topics in the Sciences, History, Geography, Current Events, Literature, Art and Music. The Academic Quiz Team participates in local, regional, and national quiz tournaments.
Academic World Quest - This is a program that is sponsored by the Naples Council on World Affairs (World Affairs Councils of America). It is a team game played by high school students that tests the competitors’ knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. CSN has represented the Naples Council on World Affairs in the Washington DC competition twice. This club will begin in November.
Harvard Model Congress - Recognizing that the future of any democratic state is only as bright as its next generation of citizens and leaders, Harvard Model Congress offers a comprehensive program of carefully designed American government simulations to prepare students for meaningful involvement in our nation’s government and society. The scope and depth of knowledge imparted by these role-play simulations offer students valuable hands-on experience, as they become politicians, cabinet members, presidential advisors, and reporters. Harvard Model Congress makes national problems immediate, brings political debate to life, and shows how legislative compromise is achieved.
Mock Trial - The purpose of the Mock Trial competitions is to stimulate and encourage deeper understanding and appreciation of the American legal system. Important objectives include: improving proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and reasoning skills; promoting effective communication and cooperation between the educational and legal communities; providing an opportunity to compete in an academic setting; and promoting tolerance, professionalism, and cooperation among other young people of diverse interests and abilities. Students work closely for 6 months with Judges and Attorneys of Collier County. Most preparation and practices will be held after school and in the evenings.
Model United Nations - Student delegates study a foreign nation in depth, researching related topics of global interest. They learn parliamentary procedure, practice specialized writing formats, and learn the diplomatic art of negotiation and compromise. Using the knowledge gained from their research of assigned countries and international issues, students negotiate among widely divergent views as they argue for and defend the positions of their nations as they participate in local, national and international conferences throughout the year.
World Languages
Chinese Club - The CSN Chinese Club prepares students to compete in statewide Chinese speaking competitions and provides students opportunities to present and observe Chinese cultural performances such as traditional song & dance, and theatre. Weekly meetings will focus on various topics such as Chinese culture, strategies for presenting cultural topics in Mandarin, and Chinese food tastings.
French Club - The purpose of the French club is to provide different approaches to learn French language and culture. Among activities sponsored by the club are French Congrès (see description above), Mardi Gras, la Chandeleur, Noël, Epiphany day with the Galette des rois, conversations with Francophone, preparation of the French National Contest, and a dinner in a French restaurant.”
French Congrès - Annually, thirty students from five different levels of French represent CSN at the state competition in Orlando. At Congrѐs, students compete individually in 25 events, including poetry recitation, impromptu speech, conversation, and reading comprehension. As a team, students also present a theater piece, a skit, a scrapbook, and a project in addition to competing in a French scholar bowl.
Junior Classical League - Florida Junior Classical League is a student-run organization that promotes the study of Latin and Greek in middle and high schools. Members of the CSN chapter attend the South Florida regional forum in January and the State Latin forum in April. Competitions at those events include academic tests, graphic arts, dramatic arts, Olympika athletic contests, and a quiz bowl tournament called Certamen.
Spanish Conferencia - Each year members of the Spanish Team meet weekly to prepare for the annual State Spanish Conferencia, which takes place in March in Orlando. A maximum of 16 students from all levels compose the team and compete against other Florida schools in the areas of impromptu speaking, poetry recitation, and presentation of a dramatic piece. There are also opportunities to compete in music and dance, as well as cultural dress/regional costumes.
Service
Key Club - Key Club is a service organization sponsored by a local Kiwanis Club for high school students. The objective is the development of initiative, leadership ability, and good citizenship practices. The Key Club plans and participates in a variety of service activities for the school and in the community throughout the year.
KidsCan - This program is part of the Cancer Alliance of Naples (CAN) whose mission is to provide support to local children and adults battling cancer. CSN’s new chapter will work with the Cancer Alliance of Naples by volunteering at events for families and supporting their fundraising efforts. The club will meet approximately once per month to prepare for projects.
Teen Court - This program is based on the philosophy that a juvenile offender is less likely to continue to be an offender when a jury of their peers decides the punishment. Volunteers in this program earn valuable experience in addition to service hours as they serve in the roles of attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and jurors. Collier County Teen Court meets on Wednesday evenings.
Upper School Ambassador Club - The Upper School Ambassadors are a select group of CSN students who are dedicated to the positive promotion of Community School of Naples. Student ambassadors serve as the official hosts of the school, and are the first point of contact to many prospective visitors to the CSN campus each year! The goal of the student ambassador program is to educate prospective families and community members on student life at CSN through leading campus tours, and various enrollment and donor cultivation events, as well as develop student leadership skills through executive positions within the club. The Ambassadors also plan multiple volunteer opportunities throughout the year on and off campus. This opportunity is available for application for the current student body in the 9th – 12th grade classes.
Special Interests
Debate Team - Students in the Debate Team analyze and discuss a wide variety of relevant topics and issues going on in the world today. Taking on multiple perspectives and applying them to various different issues, students engage in academic discourse with fellow team members, and may possibly compete in regional competitions. Through this club, students will develop analytical and public speaking skills, as well as greatly expand their knowledge on a wide variety of subjects in the worlds of academia, politics, economics, and much more.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes - This is a Student-led Club that focuses on Character, Integrity and Moral Values. This Club will be open to all students regardless of religious affiliation and will be a great way for students to generate fellowship and to support one another throughout the school year. Students will discuss ways to improve their ethical and moral values and will encourage one another to put these moral values into practice.
Investment Club - The Investment Club is all about learning the ins and outs of the different investments. Topics covered will include: How the Market Works; Types of Investors; Types of Investments; How to Buy Stocks; Evaluating Stocks; and other topics. Guest speakers in the industry will present to the club on a regular basis, and there will be opportunities to compete in stock market simulations both in Florida and around the country.
Photography Club - This club will focus on helping students develop their love and knowledge of photography. Students will be taught how to use their cameras and all the different functions. Students will be encouraged to take photos at school related activities like homecoming week, athletic events, theater performances, club events and other CSN functions. Students will also be encouraged to take pictures outside of school to present and discuss at club meetings. Additionally, participants will be encouraged to submit their work to local contests. This club can help prepare students for AP Art if they are interested in doing photography for their portfolio.
Prism - Prism aims to expose students to important current events in a safe, inclusive environment that gives them an opportunity to discuss prevalent topics in a supportive and productive way. The goal is to provide students with a place in which they can receive, digest, and ruminate on information that is currently shaping not only the global community, but also our CSN community. Topics include but will not be limited to issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, and identity. Unlike a club that focuses on one particular topic or point of view, Prism aims to unite students with different perspectives through engaging discussion and reflection.
Psychology Club - This club allows students to increase their knowledge into the human mind and behavior in the field of psychology, neuroscience, and forensics through experiments, activities, films and group discussions. Career exploration, guest speakers in these professional fields, raising awareness of mental health issues and community service will also be included. Students do not have to take AP Psychology to be a part of the club.
Scuba Club - The Scuba Gang is an academic club tied to the science department and open to all US students. The club provides a pathway for students to earn SCUBA certification and become underwater citizen scientists. Divers can participate in 10-15 outings per school year, including recreational reef dives and environmental stewardship opportunities such as coral restoration, and diving against debris in the Florida Keys.
Tank Team - Our CSN fish tank in the I.S.E.R. lobby is an ecosystem full of all sorts of characters from fish to shrimp, to corals and crabs. The Tank Team was created shortly after the arrival of the aquarium last winter and the group of teachers, students, and parents is looking for new members. Team members will keep the tank clean, change the saltwater, maintain the chemistry, feed the critters, research new organisms to add, and help design the educational materials that will soon decorate the walls around the tank. The club will be every Monday afternoon (starting Aug. 22) 3:35-4:00 p.m. and every Thursday morning (starting Aug. 18) 7:35-7:50 a.m.