Extracurriculars

The ALC meets before school several mornings per month. The ALC’s purpose is to work for the overall welfare and improvement of the school through the athletic department. The various activities of the Council provide opportunities for student leadership and service to the community. Participation in ALC is determined by coach and student nominations and council voting. Some weekend or evening fundraising events may be requested of council members.

Who: Nominated / elected students grades 11-12
When: varies
Where: Room 111
Contact: Jeff Moreno
 

The Debate Team is open to all students in grades 9-12. The purpose of the team is to debate other schools in a tournament. These are usually held on Saturdays from December through March. The Debate Team meets September through March in the library or room 130 on Thursdays, immediately after school for the purpose of preparing for interscholastic debate. Not only is debate fun and exciting, it also helps students build valuable research, thinking, and speaking skills that will help in college as well as in high school.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: September through March, Preparation for interscholastic debate – Thursdays after school – Debating other schools: Saturdays
Where: Room 130
Contact: James Dixon
 

The Hartford Math Team is open to all students in all grades regardless of math ability. The team is split into two levels (Junior Varsity and Varsity). Students qualify for Varsity by exceeding minimum scores on Math Team competitions. The Math Team participates in the New England Mathematics League, AMC, UVM and Talent Search Competitions. There are also after-school practice sessions throughout the year. Students must participate in a minimum number of Math Team competitions and practices to be a part of the team.

Who: All students, grades 9-12, regardless of math ability
When: Usually Tuesdays from 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Where: Room 202
Contact: Nancy Kent 
 

The Prom Committee is a body of junior class students, usually including the class officers, who plan, organize, and carry out the Junior Prom. Working with the junior class faculty advisor(s), members of the committee discuss and evaluate potential locations, contact a variety of parties (individuals and services), estimate costs, create a budget and live within its limitations.

Who: All students, 11th grade
When: Junior Year
Where: HHS
Contact: Junior Class Advisor 
 

Pride sponsors discussions dealing with current school problems and issues, invites outside speakers and serves as a social group. Students should feel free to drop by whenever it is convenient or desired. The goals of the Hartford High School Pride Club are to (1) To support members of the HHS community who are gay; and (2) To encourage a more respectful atmosphere in HHS towards all students.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: TBA
Where: Room 203
Contact: Becky Whitney, Cata Ruiz and Ethan Watson
 

Student Council meets every other Friday at 7:15 AM in the library. The Council’s purpose is to work for the overall welfare and improvement of the school. The various activities of the Council provide opportunities for student leadership and service to the community. Participation in Student Council is determined by class and school elections. Some weekend or evening fundraising events may be requested of council members.

Who: Elected students grades 9-12
When: Every other Friday at 7:15 AM
Where: The library
Contact: Shannon Johnson
 

This weekly discussion group provides a safe, supportive space where high school boys can engage in honest conversations about the challenges they face, question harmful stereotypes, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others. Through meaningful dialogue, reflection, and mutual respect, participants build the character, empathy, and confidence needed to become kind, resilient, and responsible young men who make a positive impact in their school and community.

Who: High School Boys
When: Block 5, Days TBA
Where: TBA
Contact: Crescent Oakes and Pete Driscoll
 

The Hartford Area Career and Technology Center sponsors First Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 95 – The Grasshoppers. The Grasshoppers have been a US F.I.R.S.T. competitive robotics club since 1997. Students in grades 9-12 can join the team. Generally located in the Upper Valley, we have students participating from area high schools and home-schools. Team 95 is a merit-based sports team which competes in FRC Robotics competitions. This means that the group organizes itself as a team with seniority based solely on capability and participation instead of as a club. For more information: FRC TEAM 95 THEGRASSHOPPERS

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Preseason runs from May – June and September – December, with occasional summer meetings as well. The competition season begins in January and runs through April.
Where: HACTC
Contact: James Cole-Henry [interest form]

Pep Rally/All-School Meeting Committee 
Yearbook Committee 
3-D Vermont Club
Stem Club
Film Club
Cooking Club
Chess Club
Anime Club
 

Despite being a part of the regular curriculum, both of these groups have a large co-curricular side. This includes concerts, special performances, parades, optional music festivals and auditions. Students are graded on individual performance, class participation, attendance, concerts and testing. The music department also sponsors two major events each year: the annual musical and Pizzazz (a variety show). A large portion of the participants are members of the Band and Choir. Each year Hartford students are selected to be a part of both the All State and New England honors performing groups. Preference for students to sing the National Anthem at graduation will be given to those who participate in the HHS music programs.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: School Year
Where: HHS
Contact: Music Department
 

Jazz Band is a performing group which meets all year during the second half of Block I. It is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students must have reached an intermediate level of playing ability to participate. Improvisation (playing solos from your head) is encouraged.

Who: All students, grades 10-12, intermediate and above
When: Second half of Block I – Performances during the school year
Where: HHS music room
Contact: Music Department
 

Jazz Choir is a select vocal ensemble of eight to twelve singers, performing works that come mostly from the jazz tradition. Both accompanied and a’cappella works will be performed. Auditions will be held each year and will include both a prepared piece and sight-reading. Rehearsals will take place during music enrichment time as well as after school or evenings. Performances will vary, but may include regularly scheduled concerts, Senior Centers, nursing homes and other schools.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Auditions in September
Where: HHS Music Room
Contact: Music Department
 

There are a number of music festivals available to music students during the year. Festivals are open to students in grades 9-12. Specific music will be assigned for each student to learn and perform either solo or in small groups at an audition. Scores from these auditions will determine selection for festival performance groups: District Music Festival, All-State Music Festival, and Plymouth State Band Festival.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Throughout the year
Where: Various locations in New England
Contact: Music Department
 

Each year the music department produces a major musical (Oklahoma!, South Pacific, West Side Story, Carousel, to name a few). This activity is open to all students in grades 9-12. Auditions are held during the first week of school. The productions involve students in all aspects of theater including acting, dance, singing, set construction, technical theater, costuming, make-up, etc. The rehearsals are in the evening on weekdays with six performances for the public given in mid-November. This is a time of intensive activity and requires a major commitment.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Auditions: first week of school. Rehearsals: evenings on weekdays. Performances: six afternoon and evening performances in mid-November open to the public.
Where: HHS auditorium
Contact: Music Department
 

The One Act Play is open to all high school students. Students are needed not only for acting, but also for technical work. Auditions are held in mid-December and the cast will be selected before the holiday break. Rehearsals begin as soon as school reconvenes. The show is performed at Hartford High School in mid-February. It is then taken to a Vermont one act play festival where it competes with other plays. The top two plays from the regional festival go to the New England Festival.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Auditions: mid-December, rehearsals begin in January
Where: Various locations
Contact: Ms. Wyman
 

Pep Band is a performing group which plays at various sporting events providing motivation or support the team and entertainment for spectators.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Schedule of practices TBA
Where: Auditorium
Contact: Music Department
 

Each year in March or April the Music Department produces a variety show. This activity is open to all students in grades 9-12. The focus is on live performances in any medium. Dance, singing, mime, skits, comics and instrumental performances make up most of the show’s content. Students develop their own ideas for acts and work alone or in small groups. Staff members work with the students to bring their ideas to a performance level. Music for all vocalists is provided by a small combo. There are about two weeks of intensive time commitment when the show is transformed from separate pieces into a complete production. These rehearsals are at night, ending with two or three evening performances for the public.

Who: All students, grades 9-12
When: Rehearsals: evenings on weekdays – Performances: two to three evening performances
Where: HHS auditorium
Contact: Music Department