ALWAYS ENGAGED
Extracurriculars
At OHMS we offer many opportunities for girls to get involved and dive deeper into their areas of interest. These programs give girls the opportunity to build relationships with classmates in other grades while strengthening their sense of community and fostering their talents and skills.
OHMS Clubs & Programs
Extracurricular programs are optional but highly encouraged to keep students engaged, building new relationships and most importantly - exploring their own interests and skills.
Chorus
Open to all girls, with no audition required, this once-a-week club emphasizes the joy of singing while introducing proper vocal technique, sight-singing, solo work, and multi-part harmonies, all while exploring a wide variety of choral repertoire. In addition to performing at Winter Ceremony and the end-of-quarter Studios, the chorus participates in a number of other performance opportunities, both at school and off campus.
Literary Club
Crtl+B is our student-run literature, art and media publication. During the 4th Quarter, the editorial staff solicits submissions from students for artistic pieces that fit thematically within the current year’s issue. Emphasis is placed on approaching critique with a kind and expansive eye that welcomes conventional and unconventional submissions alike, resulting in an ever-evolving publication whose content represents a snapshot of Orchard House creative life each year.
Book Club
Book club provides an opportunity for girls to have choice and voice in reading outside the classroom environment. The club offers a reading community for fun and lively discussions and a space to explore diverse authors and genres of literature. Participation is optional, and members meet during lunchtime to choose a group read, schedule the pace of the reading, and decide when and how often to meet. Book club is offered by grade to grades six, seven, and eight.
Yearbook Club
Every OHMS yearbook is created start-to-finish by 7th and 8th graders, who meet after school to figure out the direction the yearbook will take, flex their design skills, and make a meaningful artifact for the OHMS archives.
Spectrum
Spectrum is a weekly lunchtime discussion group for 7th-8th grade allies to the LGBTQIA+ community, students with LGBTQIA+ family members, and LGBTQIA+-identified students. The group provides a place for students to talk about the experiences LGBTQIA+ students and family members have, express and learn strategies for self-advocacy and advocacy for others, and learn about the rich, intersectional history of LGBTQIA+ communities.
Girls for a Change
Orchard House partners with Girls For A Change (GFAC) which is a nonprofit youth development organization aimed at empowering Black girls in Central Virginia to visualize their bright futures and potential through discovery, development, innovation, and social change in their communities. Each week, girls meet to learn and discuss who they are individually and within the larger society. Girls discover new and impactful ways to use their voices and tackle the intersectionality of race, stereotypes, gender and more.
“Orchard House has brought out the best in me. As the years went on, I became more optimistic and have blossomed out of my shell.”
- OHMS Student
Contact Us
We’re excited that you’re considering Orchard House – where girls love middle school. If you’re ready to talk about what an independent, all girls middle school education looks like for you or your daughter we invite you to get in touch.