From the all-school play and student government to community service and travel abroad, students can participate not only in school-centered activities but also in events within the larger community. Sometimes these activities serve to enrich their studies, but just as often they allow students to develop new skills or just to enjoy some time away from campus.
Activities
The Student Activities Committee (SAC) – comprising students of all ages, parents, and teachers – plans an annual roster of diverse activities. This group organizes trips to cultural and athletic events, including the school’s attendance at all six yearly productions by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Some of these events are required; others are optional.
In addition, the SAC organizes on-campus entertainment, such as Film Night, Superfun Game and Karaoke Night, Dorm Olympics, and workshops on crafts and games (juggling, cooking, stage makeup and lighting, papermaking). The SAC also does long-range planning to revise existing programs and develop new ones.
A number of other ad hoc activities take place at the initiative of students or teachers. These are announced at assemblies and posted on the intranet.
Community Service
Every TJ student must meet a community-service obligation between ninth and twelfth grade. The number of service hours depends on how many years the student has been at TJ. Students may fulfill their obligation through any legitimate volunteer activity, and they tend to do most of it during the summer or the other long vacations.
On one day per year, called Community Service Day, the afternoon is devoted to short service projects at many sites around town. All students sign up and transportation is arranged; the faculty participates as well. This event introduces students to some of the many service possibilities in the larger St. Louis community.
Homestay Program
Since seven-day boarding students enjoy having another home away from campus at times, we ask local parents to volunteer as hosts. These "adoptive parents" spend time with them on weekends, keep in touch with them throughout the year, and act as an all-around extra family of support. Students sometimes spend weekends at their host family’s home and receive care packages from them as well. The director of residential life carefully pairs students and hosts.
Spring and Summer Trips
Every other year, in a tradition that goes back more than 50 years, faculty members lead a group of students to Italy, France, England, and sometimes other European countries. Students in grades 7–9 spend a week in London, and older students spend two weeks exercising their language skills and getting to know a few great places well.