Norwood School – Clubs and Groups

Admission

It begins with a simple promise: your child will be known.

Your child has unique strengths and interests and challenges. Norwood understands that in order to deliver the best possible education for its students, every student must be truly known in all their complexities. When students are known, teachers can design learning experiences that stretch without stress. When students are known, they feel safe asking big questions and becoming their true selves.

Norwood School is a diverse and inclusive community where the voice of every student is heard, where adults model a love for learning, and where education expands beyond academics to include a full range of potential—intellectual, artistic, social, physical, and emotional—allowing each student to develop a sense of who they are and who they want to be.

About

Diversity permeates every aspect of the Norwood experience. Our students understand that individuality, in all forms, is something to be valued and supported. In fact, the celebration of our differences is what strengthens us.

We believe that an open mind and an appreciation of one another's contributions is the strength of the Norwood community. Our focus on inclusion and respect creates a culture where students and teachers are genuinely interested in learning about one another and the world beyond our school.

Program

Norwood's approach to instruction and learning begins with a team of teachers whose first priority is to fully understand each and every student. Only by understanding each learner can we create "just-right" academic experiences where every child is stretched but not stressed. Whether in the lab, on the field, on the stage—students are always getting what they need when they need it: opportunity, challenge, and growth.

We believe there is an important place of balance where students discover that "hard" is "awesome" and that mistakes are better framed as opportunities. This leads to growth in skills and knowledge as well as a hard-earned sense of confidence and capability.

Community

Education at Norwood isn't limited to the classroom. Our students enjoy a wealth of learning experiences all over our 38-acre campus as well as off-campus in the broader community—whether it be through service learning opportunities or taking advantage of the many learning resources (museums, performances, cultural programs, etc.) all over the Washington, D.C. area. They also participate in an exciting variety of clubs, leadership opportunities, and after-school enrichment programs.

Parents play an important role in supporting our joyful, child-centered learning environment. Not only do they provide invaluable support for school programs, they also model for our children the School’s values of lifelong learning and service to others.

Support

Since Norwood’s founding in 1952, an unmistakable generosity of spirit has infused the School.

Generations of parents, trustees, alumni, grandparents and friends have financially supported

Norwood.

The Norwood Fund is the cornerstone of our fundraising program. The Norwood Fund supports the daily life of the School on every level, from faculty salaries to classroom materials and technology to the consistent addition of the innovative resources, programs, and opportunities that create a child-centered learning experiences just right for every student.

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Athletics for Fifth Graders & Sixth Graders

In addition to their regular physical education class, Norwood’s fifth and sixth graders have the option to participate in the interscholastic athletics program and the School’s signature outdoor education program called Summit. Practices and games take place after school. Fall options: soccer, field hockey, cross country, volleyball, and Summit; winter options: basketball, strength and conditioning, and Summit; spring options: lacrosse, baseball, softball, track and field, and Summit.
Battle of the Books

Middle school book-lovers are invited to participate in Norwood's Battle of the Books team. Participants read titles from a select list of books and prepare together for a book trivia competition against teams from other DMV-area independent schools in the spring. The group generally meets during 5/6 and 7/8 lunch, usually twice a month in the fall and then once weekly starting in late winter and early spring.
Debate Team

Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have the opportunity to join the Debate Team. Led by a faculty member with experience as a debater and debate coach, the team meets during the week and on occasional Saturday mornings leading up to tournaments. Students learn how to argue, research, and use evidence to support arguments. The team participates in the District of Columbia Urban Debate League.
Drama

Seventh and eighth graders have the opportunity to participate in two theatrical productions each year -- the fall play in November and the spring musical in May. In addition to acting, students can help with set design and construction, sound, lighting, costumes, and make-up. Sixth graders are invited to audition for the 6th Grade Showcase, an optional grade-level theater performance. All other grades participate in spring programs as a part of the music curriculum. Learn more about Norwood's drama program.
Fall Play

All seventh and eighth graders are invited to audition for the fall play, which has daily afterschool rehearsals and a few weekend rehearsals throughout the fall and is performed at least three times over a weekend, usually the weekend before Thanksgiving. Students may also apply to participate on the technical and backstage crews; crew members also attend rehearsals and all performances.
GLOW

Growing Leaders of Our World (GLOW) is a group of fifth and sixth graders who meet once a month for activities and discussion on topics of equity and diversity. Additionally, the group explores concepts of leadership and community-building.
Halcones Azules - Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad

This club explores service and community through the Spanish language. Students regularly participate in service projects and work to gain membership to the AATSP Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad. Norwood was the fourth SHA chapter to be chartered in Maryland and was named SHA Chapter of the Year in 2021!
Horizons

Norwood is a partner school for Horizons Greater Washington and hosts a six-week academic enrichment program every summer for low-income children. Norwood students, parents, alumni, teachers, and staff have the opportunity to help out at various Horizons events throughout the year, as well as volunteer during the summer program. Contact our Site Director, Dana Egan, for information about how you can help with Horizons.
Jewish Culture Club

This student-led club seeks to celebrate the beauty and history of Jewish culture through regular meetings scheduled around various Jewish holidays. The club also seeks to educate the Norwood community around the history of Judaism and issues effecting the Jewish community.
Math Clubs & Teams

Students interested in competitive math opportunities are able to join a Norwood math team to compete in Math Olympiad (fourth and fifth graders), MATHCOUNTS events (a national competition for sixth through eighth graders), Independent School Math Association meets, and the annual Carderock Math Contest at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.
Model United Nations

Model UN is a great opportunity for seventh and eighth graders to learn about our world and sharpen their research and public-speaking skills while role-playing delegates to the United Nations. Students prepare for and participate in an annual conference at The George Washington University.
Nestminders

This club is a great way to gain experience working with younger children. Nestminders, open to seventh and eighth graders, will run two parents-night-out events during the year (one in November and one in March) at Norwood for Norwood lower school families. Students will receive babysitting training (including CPR certification) and meet occasionally during the school day to program parents-night-out activities.
Newspaper Club

Fourth-graders have the option to join the Newspaper Club to produce the student-run Norwood News. Under the guidance of a faculty adviser, the students brainstorm topics and then research and write articles about school news for the bimonthly newspaper. Norwood News is by kids and for kids!
Prism

All students in grades 6-8 are invited to participate in Prism – Norwood's LGBTQIA+ advocacy space. Students engage in conversation, community, and brainstorming ways to raise awareness about the issues that face the LGBTQIA+ community at Norwood and in the larger community.
Robotics Club

The FIRST LEGO League Robotics Competition Club is a very intense 4-5 months of preparations for the FLL Montgomery County tournaments sometime in January and February. The club is open to students in grades 6-8 who are able to commit to Friday meetings, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Students will prepare for the competition in areas such as project research and presentation, tournament core values, problem solving, and Lego robotics building and programming. Students must also participate in the actual Montgomery County qualifying tournament sometime in January or February. If the team qualifies, they will be participating in the Maryland Championship tournament at UMBC in February or March. In 2023, one of Norwood's robotics teams competed against more than 60 of the best robotics teams in Maryland and was one of four teams selected to advance to the national competition at the University of Arkansas.
SAANS

SAANS (South Asian Americans of Norwood School) is a place for students and faculty alike to come together in community and explore South Asian culture, engage in service opportunities, and, of course, enjoy delicious South Asian food.
Spelling Bee

All students are invited to participate in this annual spelling contest, which is usually held in late January. Our winner represents Norwood in the regional spelling bee, competing for the chance to move on to the annual national competition.
Spring Musical

All seventh and eighth graders are invited to audition for the spring musical, which has daily after-school rehearsals and a few weekend rehearsals throughout the spring and is performed at least three times over a weekend, usually the first weekend in May. Students may also apply to participate on the technical and backstage crews; crew members also attend rehearsals and all performances.
Spring Showcase for Sixth Graders

All sixth graders are invited to audition for this show, which is the first optional grade-level theater performance at Norwood, with after school rehearsals. The Sixth Grade Showcase usually occurs in February and is performed on two mornings for both student and parent audiences.
Student Advisory Council

Students are elected to the SAC and advocate for their peers on many issues related to school climate and special events. Elections occur in the early fall, and meetings take place before school or at lunch, once a month.
Student Ambassador Program

Norwood students love showing off their school to others. The Admission Office invites interested students to serve as ambassadors at open houses and new family receptions, and as hosts for visiting students. The Admission Office provides training and pizza lunches for student ambassadors.
SUCCEED

Middle school students of color are invited to participate in SUCCEED, which stands for Students Seeking Understanding and Celebrating Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity. SUCCEED provides a place to come together, have fun, get better acquainted, and engage in conversation and activities.
Violin Program for Lower School Students

Violin lessons utilizing the Suzuki method of teaching are available in the Lower School beginning in kindergarten. In addition to instruction, students enjoy performance opportunities throughout the year. In the past, performances have included playing the National Anthem at a University of Maryland basketball games, concerts for the school community, and holiday performances at the White House. Learn more about Norwood's fee-based Lower School Violin Program.