Fact vs. Fiction: Avon Wastes Money on Clubs

“Students don’t need clubs, so any referendum dollars Avon spends on extracurriculars, clubs, and student supports is a waste.”

Don’t believe the chatter. Club Opportunities at Avon are not just nice to have. They are a strategic investment in our students’ skills, a vital component of their preparation for higher education, enlistment, and careers.

Clubs provide unique opportunities for students to grow outside of the classroom – which, after all, is where they’re going to spend the rest of their lives.

Clubs are more than just after-school activities. They are an essential part of a student’s overall learning experience. By joining a club, students gain the chance to explore their interests, build leadership skills, and connect with peers who share similar passions. In addition to robotics, speech and debate, performing arts, and athletics, Avon’s clubs provide unique opportunities for students to grow outside of the classroom – which, after all, is where they’re going to spend the rest of their lives.

Participation in clubs also helps students develop important life skills – the all-important ‘soft skills’ employers prioritize – such as teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. For many, extracurricular experiences create a sense of belonging and pride in their school and community. Research even shows that students involved in extracurricular activities experience fewer absences and tardies, are more engaged, and often perform better academically. Not by accident, last year’s graduation rate was the highest ever at 98.4%.

With the support of the 2018 Referendum, Avon High School is able to offer approximately 60 clubs, and each of the three Avon Middle Schools offer 20 club opportunities. Avon Elementary Schools also offer 8 clubs each, adding another 64 clubs to the total.

As of the spring of 2025, over 3,500 students are engaged in clubs in the Avon Community School Corporation. (This doesn’t count students who participate in arts and athletics.)

At their heart, extracurricular activities give students a place to discover who they are and what they want to become. They turn big schools into smaller communities where each student can find their place, their people, and their voice. In turn, this pours back into the quality of the Avon community.