The Art Club gives students the opportunity to develop their artistic talents as well as to discuss and critique artwork with their peers. Regular meetings provide studio time for students to work on group or independent projects and for discussions on artwork. Students may work in a variety of mediums. Meetings consist of creating artwork that students would not normally have a chance to make in art class, brainstorming for fundraisers, and creating elements showing our school spirit and pride, but mostly just having fun creating art. The club is open to all students.

The Chess Club provides an opportunity for students to engage in friendly competition while, at the same time, learning the tactics, strategies, and positional nuances of the game. All skill levels are welcome, including beginners who have never touched a chess piece. Students also learn about the game's rich history and famous grandmasters, reviewing their games to gain insight into their brilliance at the board. Through regular chess playing, students hone their ability to concentrate, exercise patience, and plan ahead, while enjoying the greatest game on Earth.

The Dance Club performs at school based events, such as pep rallies and award shows. Additionally, the dance club competes in various styles such as jazz, lyrical, hip hop and pom all over the tri-state area as well as at the national level in Orlando, Florida. *Sports physical/clearance is necessary for participation. Dancers must commit to the practice schedule of 2-3 days a week and attend each competition January through the first week of March.

GSA hopes to provide insightful information regarding the hardships faced by those students marginalized due to their sexuality and to help alleviate these struggles faced daily by many students in our school. We aim to spread awareness, empower members, and encourage advocates.

The aim of la Société Honoraire de Français is to foster interest in the study of French culture, to stimulate academic excellence, to celebrate and to further an understanding of francophone culture and civilization, to promote global harmony, and to reward efforts toward furthering solidarity in the French-speaking world. Throughout each year, members and potential members volunteer their service for tutoring, events, and fundraisers related to the area of world languages, including the annual International Dinner for West Milford senior citizens, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, and the World Cup soccer game.

In order to be invited as a potential member into the French Honor Society, students must complete 3 years of French study in the high school, maintain an average of a 3.6 in French and maintain a general GPA of 3.0. Members in this organization are initiated and receive this prestigious accolade at the culminating induction ceremony in May. Students are required to attend meetings and to achieve 10 service hours.

The German Honor Society seeks to promote the appreciation of the language, the culture and further the study of German. The current world language honor societies have created a unified induction ceremony, host an international dinner for local senior citizens, host booths at Highlander Day, participate in a “World Cup” soccer game, tutor peers in the target languages and celebrate multicultural events such as Cultural Exchange Day.

Inductees must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the target language. Students are eligible for induction after 3 years of language study. The induction ceremony takes place in the spring each year. All members are required to attend all major events and participate in fundraisers.

The Highland Jazz vocal ensemble is a select performance group comprised of members of the high school choirs who have passed a vocal audition process. The group performs high level vocal jazz literature and performs at concerts, festivals and competitions. Attendance is mandatory for all practices and events.

The West Milford History club is for all 9-12 students who love history and want to share these interests with other like-minded students! The club is a fun and interactive way to further education through discussions, competitions like National History Day, the History Bowl, and the History Bee, documentaries, field trips, and much more!

The Indoor Color Guard entertains and participates in various local and national competitions. This activity combines spinning flags, rifles, and sabers combined with acting, dancing, and precision style routines to recorded music. They perform in high school gymnasiums and university arenas throughout the competitive season from January through April. The Guard offers students the ability to work as a team in the pursuit of excellence. This is a co-ed activity. Students are encouraged to participate in the Marching Band Color Guard for training but this is not a requirement. Clinics are held in late October for the upcoming season. Contact Mr. Shaver for additional information at Peter.Shaver@wmtps.org.

Membership in good standing, as determined by Advisor, is based on excellent attendance at rehearsals and all performances. This will allow student to attend and receive honors at the Band Banquet in May. *Sports physical/clearance is necessary for participation.

The Indoor Percussion program is an indoor marching percussion ensemble that travels, performs and competes during the winter months each year. The ensemble consists of student musicians from grades 9-12, who are members of the Marching Band and audition for the group. Based upon instrumental needs, members of the student body can request to audition for the ensemble.

The ensemble provides instruction and performance opportunities for young performers in the areas of marching percussion, piano, bass guitar, guitar, drum set, concert "pit" percussion, and movement/choreography. The unit has been in existence since 1995 and travels within New Jersey, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania.

Students attend rehearsals 3 times a week and participate in 8-10 competitions. All students are also required to participate in the fundraising event.

Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club that gives students the opportunity to participate in fun and meaningful service projects. Our motto is “service above self.” Through service activities, students learn the importance of developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, and advancing international understanding and goodwill.

Members of the club help to develop and carry out a wide variety of service projects. Raising money for worthwhile causes, working within the school, and working directly with people in the community are a few ways Rotary Interact members are involved. Members of the club also assist the Rotary Club of West Milford with various local community projects.

There are no special requirements for membership other than willingness to help others and a desire to make our community a better place in which to live. Remember, you can't do everything, but you can do something! Meetings are held monthly.

The Italian Honor Society seeks to promote the appreciation of the Italian language and the culture and to further the study of Italian. The current world language honor societies have created a unified induction ceremony, host an annual international dinner for local senior citizens, organize charity events, host booths at Highlander Day, participate in a “World Cup” soccer game, tutor peers in the target languages and celebrate multicultural events such as Cultural Exchange Day. Inductees must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the target language. Students are eligible for induction after 3 years of language study. The induction ceremony takes place in the spring each year.

The jazz ensemble is an instrumental performance group that studies and performs historical and contemporary jazz music. The group participates in festivals and competitions throughout the state of New Jersey while also hosting one of the biggest high school jazz festivals in Northern New Jersey. Students will have the opportunity to experience this great American music at its highest level.

Acceptance into this program is audition based, enrollment in concert band courses are not required.

The Marching Band provides entertainment at varsity football games, parades and marching band competitions. The 100+ member group is open to those students who are enrolled in Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. Students not in those classes may join as part of the Color Guard. The Highlander Marching Band is one of the most successful bands in the Eastern United States, competing at the national level as well as state competitions. The band performs in many exciting venues, such as New York City; London, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Toronto, Canada; and Orlando, Florida.

Click here to visit the Highlander Band Website.

Participation at all practices and performances is mandatory. Fundraising is encouraged to offset the cost of travel. *Sports physical/clearance is necessary for participation.

The Marching Band Color Guard provides the color, energy, and visual excitement at all football games, parades, and competitions throughout the year with the Band. The Guard is open to all eighth grade and high school students and is a co-ed activity. Instructional Clinics are held in May for the Marching Band season of the following fall. Rehearsals will be held during the summer months and throughout the fall in conjunction with the Marching Band. Contact Mr. Shaver for additional information at Peter.Shaver@wmtps.org

Membership in good standing, as determined by Advisor, is based on excellent attendance at rehearsals and performances. This will allow students to attend and receive honors at the Band Banquet in May. *Sports physical/clearance is necessary for participation.