The 2026 OUR KIDS Private School Expo is coming to cities near you. Get your family pass
Hawthorn School EXTRACURRICULARS
Extracurriculars at Hawthorn School include a balanced mix of competitive and recreational sports, with teams competing in the CISAA, and a diverse array of clubs such as hip hop, piano, and robotics. Families emphasize the school's commitment to holistic education, integrating extracurriculars into academics to foster character development, leadership skills, and initiative.
Page Contents
Facts and analysis
SPORTS AND ATHLETICS
Sports at Hawthorn School are diverse and provide a balance of competitive and recreational options.
For comparison, other Canadian schools we cover typically offer around 7 competitive sports and 8 recreational sport options.
Competitive offered
Recreational offered
Signature sport
Uncommon sport
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Running
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
-
Why it matters
Beyond promoting physical fitness, school athletics teach life skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. A greater variety of sports creates more opportunities for students to develop these skills while building peer connections and a sense of belonging. While competitive sports encourage student-athletes to strive for excellence, recreational sports foster inclusion, exploration, and enjoyment.
CLUBS AND PROGRAMS
Hawthorn School offers a highly diverse array of extracurricular clubs and programs.
Other schools we review usually provide about 14 clubs and programs.
Clubs offered
Clubs not offered
Signature program
all clubs and programs]
Art Club
Audiovisual Club
Band
Chess Club
Choir
Community Service
Computer Club
Dance Club
Debate Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Foreign Language Club
Math Club
Photography
Poetry/Literature club
Robotics club
School newspaper
Student Council
Yearbook
-
Why it matters
Clubs and enrichment programs, including after-school clubs, extend learning beyond the classroom. They encourage creativity, leadership, and friendships while helping students explore passions, build skills, and gain confidence in a low-pressure environment.
DISTINCT EXTRACURRICULAR FEATURES
What makes Hawthorn School’s extracurriculars distinct: established strengths and current initiatives
Educating the whole person is part of Hawthorn’s philosophy of education. Extra-curricular sports provide opportunities for students to develop their physical capacities, as well as providing balance to the rigor of academics and an arena for character development. School teams compete in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) and comply with the CISAA Constitution and Sport Guidelines.
Objectives of Hawthorn’s Extra-curricular sports program are:
•to acknowledge the importance of participation in extra-curricular sports as part of the development of the whole person and to provide students with the opportunity to experience this participation.
•to provide opportunities for partcipants and spectators to develop in character through good sportsmanship and through school spirit.
•to provide a program where students may develop their knowledge and understanding of a sport, improve their technical skills and pursue excellence in that area while maintaining an acceptable standard in other important areas of life.
Extracurricular opportunities complement and enhance the academic program and are essential to student success. As a school we have deliberately integrated a host of activities into our daily school experience for decades, knowing that merging these so-called “extra” activities into your educational experience is actually essential to a well-rounded education, character development, leadership and the ability to team effectively with others. The school encourages students in creating new extracurricular activities, fostering a spirit of initiative and responsibility. This year for instance as a result of students and parents interest we are offering, hip hop, piano, Quatum Kidz Lego, Thinnox - Robotics Engineering, Spanish and Instrumental Music.
-
Why it matters
These highlights, provided by the school, describe unique aspects of its extracurricular activities in terms of history, tradition, and current innovations. These reveal priorities and culture, and give you a clearer picture of the special opportunities students could experience here.