High School Extracurricular Activities

 
The high school experience at St. John Bosco Academy includes many opportunities for student leadership, spiritual, and social development.  As the high school student body grows, such opportunities will grow based on the interests of the students and their desire to initiate new activities with administrative support.
 
 
 
Competitive Debate Team
 
The St. John Bosco Academy Debate Team focuses on the Public Forum event, along with other individual speaking events.  According to the National Forensic League:
 
Public Forum Debate is a team event, in which debaters work with partners in competitions. A central tenet of the debate is that the clash of ideas must be communicated in a manner persuasive to the general public. A good debater should:
  • Display solid logic, reasoning, and analysis;
  • Use evidence but not be driven by it;
  • Present a clash of ideas;
  • Counter the arguments of the opponents;
  • Communicate ideas with clarity, organization, eloquence, and professional decorum.
 
Debate helps students improve their research, persuasion, and public speaking skills, as well as their knowledge about domestic policy, international events, and philosophy.  SJBA’s team has competed in tournaments around Atlanta, including events at Chattahoochee High School, Alpharetta High School, Milton High School, and North Hall High School.
 
Fall dance/ spirit week planning committee
 
Initiated by the students in 2013, this committee organizes and oversees the plans for a Fall School Spirit Week culminating with the High School Fall Dance.  The dance is a semi-formal social event held off-campus.  Students make the arrangements for a DJ, food, decorations, and ticket sales.
 
March for Life trip to Washington DC
 
Each year, the SJBA high school students have the opportunity to travel to Washington DC and participate in the National March for Life.  During the 3-4 day trip, students also attend the March for Life Youth Rally and visit historical sites and monuments.  Past activities include a guided tour of the Capitol building and the Library of Congress, where students admired the personal library of Thomas Jefferson which included many titles they read as students at SJBA.
 
National Honor Society
 
The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.  The Saint John Bosco NHS chapter organizes service projects for the school and community.
 
Performing Arts
 
The High School Performing Arts program at SJBA is co-curricular.  High school students complete performing arts coursework which is compulsory to their classical education.  They also participate in rehearsals and performances outside of class time.  Students perform a traditional choir concert in December and a musical theatre production in May.  They also have the opportunity to lead music for Mass and other special events held on campus.
 
Yearbook committee
 
Each year high school students volunteer to serve on this committee to create a yearbook for the entire SJBA student body.  Working closely with a parent volunteer and a professional yearbook company representative, the students handle all aspects of the book including photography, page layouts, advertising, editing, and sales.