The 2026 OUR KIDS Private School Expo is coming to cities near you. Get your family pass
Pickering College EXTRACURRICULARS
Pickering College offers a well-rounded extracurricular program with diverse sports and a variety of clubs and activities. Notably, students engage in broadcasting through CHOP FM, demonstrate critical thinking in national debate championships, and showcase musical talent at prestigious festivals. Students and alumni praise these initiatives for fostering essential life skills and emphasizing holistic education.
Page Contents
Facts and analysis
SPORTS AND ATHLETICS
Sports at Pickering College 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
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Downhill skiing
- Equestrian
- Figure Skating
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Ice Hockey
- Ice Skating
- Mountain biking
- Running
- Snowboarding
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Ultimate
- 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
Pickering College 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
Band
Chess Club
Choir
Community Service
Computer Club
Dance Club
Debate Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Jazz Ensemble
Musical theatre/Opera
Online Magazine
Outdoor Education
Photography
Poetry/Literature club
Radio club
Robotics club
Student Council
Yearbook
Yoga
-
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 Pickering College’s extracurriculars distinct: established strengths and current initiatives
Pickering College students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 participate on CHOP FM. Junior School students produced their own Global Leadership
Program radio shows on CHOP FM with topics ranging from environmentalism to science and technology.
The Queens National High School Debating Championships is widely recognized as the most prestigious university tournament in Canada. This
year, there were over 200 competitors representing schools from Vancouver to Nova Scotia. Competing in six rounds of debate, our students used their critical thinking abilities and stamina to showcase the skills they have learned from our debate program.
The Senior Jazz Band traveled to the renowned Canadian Rocky Mountain
Music Festival in Banff. The group had successfully auditioned last year for this coveted spot, and did not disappoint. The reviewers and audiences alike were greatly impressed by our musicians' professional and tuneful approach to their craft.
-
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.