Extra-curricular Activities
EKHS has one of Michigan's largest high school marching bands and is under the direction of James Ross and James Sawyer. The band is composed of the usual marching instruments, flutes, pianos, guitars, saxaphones, violins, jugging-jugglers, and marching percussion. The marching band meets for a week in the summer for band camp where they learn the half time show they will be performing for that season. They have regular Monday night rehearsals during the school year that last from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and are mandatory. The band runs on student leadership which is the role of the drum majors and section leaders. Both of these roles are audition based and require training before the season starts. Section leaders help run the section by teaching how each section works in the band and also helps keep rehearsals running smoothly. Drum majors are student conductors who not only help conduct the band but teach good marching fundamentals. The band has been a long standing tradition at East Kentwood High School and in 2004, had the largest high school marching band in the state, with over 350 members.
EK has one of the top jazz programs in the state, frequently posting top results in area and state jazz competitions. In addition, Kentwood has a Summer Stock Theatre Program that involves children in grades kindergarten to 12. 147 students were represented in the most recent production. East Kentwood also offers a policy debate program that has done well at numerous state and national competitions.
EK also has some of the best choirs in Michigan. Kentwood Public Schools introduces students to formal vocal music groups beginning in the 6th grade. Each of Kentwood's three middle schools offer choir programs in grades six, seven and eight. After leaving middle school, our vocal music students have opportunities to perform in numerous groups as they progress in their high school years. Those groups are: Varsity Voices, Madrigal Singers, Women's Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, 9th Grade Mens, and 9th Grade Women's Choir. High School music classes have been show-cased at the state music conference 10 times since 1993. The Varsity Voices have gone to the Michigan Youth Arts Festival twice, in the years 2010 and 2011, as one of the top 12 choirs in the state. The High School curriculum includes 7 choirs, 5 bands, and 2 orchestras that have received superior ratings at festivals for over 30 years.
EK has an amazing theater program. In the 2010-2011 school year, they presented the musical "Hairspray," being the second school in the nation to present this show. Each year there are multiple opportunities for students to participate, including the Freshman play, the fall play for 10-12, Children's Performance Troupe, and the spring musical.
The dual enrollment program allows students to augment their curriculum by taking classes through local colleges and universities. In 2006, in partnership with Grand Valley State University, an introduction to nursing course has been brought on campus.
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“There is, I think, no point in the philosophy of progressive education which is sounder than its emphasis upon the importance of the participation of the learner in the formation of the purposes which direct his activities in the learning process, just as there is no defect in traditional education greater than its failure to secure the active cooperation of the pupil in construction of the purposes involved in his studying.”
—John Dewey (1859–1952)