Co-Curriculars
Upper School - More than two dozen activities and numerous clubs offer a variety of opportunities for students to develop personal and team-building skills – and have fun. Programs focus on a wide range of subjects, from service and spiritual life to academic clubs and competitions.
Middle School - Numerous extracurricular clubs and activities, including ballet, robotics, theatrical productions, student leadership and mentoring opportunities with Lower School students provide many options for students to explore areas of interest and find sparks for future endeavors.
Lower School - After-school clubs, ballet (ages 8 and up) and classes keep the fun and learning going after the bell rings.
Upper School
Visitation Upper School co-curricular programs are designed to offer a variety of opportunities for students to develop personal and team-building skills – and have fun.
- Athletics
- Ballet
- Bloodmobile
- Chinese Club
- Communion Ministers
- Debate
- French Club
- International Travel
- Leadership Committee
- Life Club
- Literary Magazine
- Math Team
- Mock Trial
Athletics
Director of Competitive Activities: Elisa Ryan Manny
Fall: Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis, Cross-Country Running, Swimming/Diving
Winter: Nordic Skiing, Alpine Skiing, Hockey, Basketball
Spring: Track and Field, Softball, Lacrosse and Golf
More information on the Athletics pages.
Ballet
Advisor: Marius Andaházy
“The Dance is, of all the arts, the one that most influences the Soul. Dancing is divine in its nature and is a gift of God.”
- Plato
We are excited to continue to offer quality ballet instruction to students in each of our divisions. Anna Goodrich, friend and colleague to Marius Andahazy, will oversee lessons in our Upper and Middle School. Meanwhile, Nandi Tippett ‘13, who studied with Mr. Andahazy during her time at Visitation, will provide lessons to the Lower School students.
In order to sign up for lessons, please contact Andrea Hofland in the Registrar Office (ahofland@vischool.org). To determine the appropriate class, please read the descriptions below:
Lower School Ballet Program
CLD1W: Lower School Level I ballet lessons will take place on Wednesdays from 3 - 4:20 p.m.
CLD2W: In addition, Visitation offers an opportunity for those students who have already trained for two years in ballet to remain in the lessons an additional 25 minutes, until 4:45 p.m.
There is a $590 accompanist fee. We ask that students purchase apparel using the Grand Jeté Order Form (available online here). Please note that lessons will begin Wednesday, September 1, 2021 and continue through Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Middle/Upper School Ballet Program
Lessons 1x/week
ASBM: Levels I & II lessons will take place on Mondays from 3:15 - 5 p.m. These lessons are intended for students who wish to begin ballet or continue their knowledge of the basics of ballet. The lessons take place on Mondays beginning August 30 and continue for the duration of the school year.
ASBT: Levels II & III lessons will take place on Tuesdays from 3:15 - 5 p.m. These lessons are intended for students who have completed the Introduction to Ballet Course (within the school day) or have progressed to train in a second and third level. The lessons take place on Tuesdays beginning on August 31 and continue for the duration of the school year.
There is a $590.00 accompanist fee, and we ask that students purchase apparel here. Please note that if Upper School students wish to receive academic credit or participate in this program so as to fulfill their second PE requirement, they should reach out to the Director of Upper School, Anna Barter (abarter@vischool.org). Otherwise, students are welcome to participate in the course as an extracurricular activity.
Lessons 2x/week
Students who wish to participate in ballet lessons twice a week can do so by registering for either of the following:
CMTAS (Mondays and Tuesdays) OR
CMThS (Mondays and Thursdays)
Beginning on August 30, these lessons last from 3:15 - 5 p.m. and continue for the duration of the school year.
There is a $590.00 accompanist fee, and we ask that students purchase apparel here. Please note that if Upper School students wish to receive academic credit or participate in this program so as to fulfill their second PE requirement, they should reach out to the Director of Upper School, Anna Barter (abarter@vischool.org). Otherwise, students are welcome to participate in the course as an extracurricular activity.
Lessons 3x/week
CMTTH: Students who wish to participate in ballet lessons three times a week can do so on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 - 5 p.m., starting on August 30 and continuing for the duration of the school year. Note: Students in this class have already taken Introduction to Ballet so as as to fulfill the training for “en pointe” during the Thursday lessons. There is a $590.00 accompanist fee, and we ask that students purchase apparel here. Please note that if Upper School students wish to receive academic credit or participate in this program so as to fulfill their second PE requirement, they should reach out to the Director of Upper School, Anna Barter (abarter@vischool.org). Otherwise, students are welcome to participate in the course as an extracurricular activity.
Ballet Master Marius Andaházy, who trained under his parents at the Andaházy School of Classical Ballet, continued his studies in Manhattan on scholarships at both the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre School. He has performed in Europe and Scandinavia professionally with the Royal Swedish Ballet. The Bolshoi and Kirov (presently called the Mariinsky) Ballets of Russia invited him to train daily with them during eight different North American tours. He has trained Visitation students since 1984. Simultaneously he has instructed for 18 years at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
We ask that students purchase apparel using the Grand Jeté Order Form (available online here).
Bloodmobile
Advisor: JoAnne Geiser
Serves in planning, recruiting and helping out with Bloodmobiles, in cooperation with STA. Four meetings and two Bloodmobile days are required. Must be willing to work with others, recruit donors, attend meetings and work on both Bloodmobiles (full days).
Open to students in grades 11-12.
Chinese Club
Advisor: Priscilla Van Sloun
Chinese club will introduce and integrate Chinese culture into the school and immerse members in Chinese life and traditions. It promotes and provides a fun environment outside of the classroom for students to learn and experience Chinese culture and language.
Communion Ministers
Advisor: Kathleen Daniewicz
Serve at Eucharistic celebrations. Requirements are attendance at two meetings at the beginning of the year and one later in the year. Must attend Masses, serve with reverence and observe the leadership contract.
Open to students in grades 11-12 who have been confirmed Catholic. Chosen by application process during the first two weeks of the school year.
Debate
Advisors: Mark Ahlstrom and Doug Hoverson
Debate is an interscholastic, Minnesota State High School League activity offered as a cooperative program between Visitation and STA. Three debate formats are offered with different resolutions to debate and the chance to debate as an individual or with a partner.
The team meets from August to January with practices two to three times per week at STA. Tournaments are primarily on Fridays and/or Saturdays, and experienced debaters have the opportunity to attend invitational tournaments around the country.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
French Club
Advisor: Ilse Norris
Promotes the camaraderie of Visitation students interested in the study of the French language and French culture through discussions, movies, songs, cooking and games. Meets once a month.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
International Travel
Visitation’s Upper School offers enrichment opportunities to students in the form of summer travel. Students may focus on service, the arts, cultural immersion or science through travel experiences that encourage global citizenship, confidence, curiosity, leadership, strong communication and a genuine appreciation for other cultures.
Please note that international travel is not guaranteed to occur every year.
Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate in any of these programs:
- World Language Tours: On a rotating basis, Visitation's world language department offers immersion experiences in countries related to French, Spanish or Chinese cultures. Students participate in tours and a home-stay, deepening their love for languages and cultures and their passion for travel.
- Spoleto Study Abroad: Study drama, vocal music, visual art, instrumental music, filmmaking, photography or creative writing in beautiful Central Italy. Spoleto Study Abroad page
- VISTORY Service Trip: Partner with students from other Visitation schools to form friendships and perform service during a week-long, Salesian-centered trip to Camden, New Jersey. Contact Anne Williams for additional information.
- Team Mutomo: Learn about the culture and daily life in Zambia by spending time at schools, an orphanage, and medical and dental clinics.
- Costa Rica: On this 10-day trip, students are immersed in the study of the rain forest, focusing on the complex and fascinating leaf cutter ants. They work with a scientist to design and carry out their own experiments and present their findings. Students hike, ride horses, zipline and do other activities in the afternoons and evenings.
Leadership Committee
Advisor: Ann Feitl
Teaches leadership skills and plans Freshmen Orientation.
Meetings are generally twice a month during lunch flex time from 11:35 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The group also has four full-day meetings: one in June and three in August.
Requirements include attendance at meetings, participation in summer training activities, active participation in the planning of various events and participation in those events.
Chosen via an application process held in the spring. Students in grades 9-12 may apply.
Life Club
Advisor: Ronna Baca
The Life Club works for the protection and enrichment of life from conception to natural death. While focusing on the protection of the unborn, the group also works to promote a culture of life in the school, educate people about Pro-Life issues, pray for those who are vulnerable, and serve families in need. Typically meets each week during lunch.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Literary Magazine
Advisor: Nicole Sutton
The Literary Magazine is a compilation of selected writing and artwork of the students in the Upper School. The staff is composed of 1-3 editors and a small group of assistants. Production of the Literary Magazine begins during the second semester and is published in May of the school year.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Math Team
Advisor: Liv Anda Asplund
Challenges and encourages students to learn more about mathematics in cooperation with Saint Thomas Academy. Practices are Mondays after school from October to February until 4:30 p.m. There are five meets on Mondays from 3-6 p.m., November to February. Practices, work on packets of topics and meets are required. Conflicts must be communicated to the advisor in advance.
Open to students in grade 9-12 who are interested in math.
Mock Trial
Advisors: Brittany Rawson-Haeg, Judge Francis Connolly and Olivia (Luther) Kratzke.
Working with an appellate court judge and a prosecutor, our students prepare to argue either a civil or criminal case. While experiencing a unique view of the legal system, including getting to argue in real courtrooms in front of working judges, participants also develop critical thinking skills, public speaking skills, writing skills and an ability to think on their feet. Students combine the skills of debate, speech and drama to become legal advocates.
Mock Trial begins in late September and may last until March, depending on students' performance. Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
- Newspaper
- Peer Mentors
- Poets Society
- Quiz Bowl & Knowledge Bowl
- Robotics
- Science Club
- Spanish Club
- STAND
- Student Council
- Students of Color Society (SOCS)
- VISTA Productions
- VISTORY
- Women ActiVISts
- Yearbook
Newspaper
Advisor: Steve Dornbach
The Visitation Voice newspaper is a student-run online publication. Student editors and staff writers manage all aspects of the newspaper’s production from generating story ideas to interviewing, writing and editing news stories to taking photographs and designing the layout.
Editors, who must have one-year of experience, meet weekly after school (sometimes more at deadline) and about four Saturdays a year. Staff writers, who need no previous experience, generally meet 1-2 times per month but will have frequent check-ins with editors during production.
The Visitation Voice is a yearlong activity and open to all students in grades 9-12.
Peer Mentors
Advisor: Kim Cross
Peer Mentors at Visitation are guided by the Salesian Virtues of hospitality and respect and work to create and ensure a smooth transition for all students into the Upper School.
The group meets twice a month. Meetings are led by senior leadership who work in consultation with the group's advisor.
Open to students in Grades 11-12. Members are selected through a blind application process. Applications and selection occur in late April to mid May.
Poets Society
Advisor: Nicole Sutton
"I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately; I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life and not when I came to die discover I had not lived." -- Henry David Thoreau
Every Thursday, students gather in Mrs. Sutton's classroom to recite these words and open another session of Poets Society. Our president assigns us a weekly theme and we find published poems written by favorite poets and masters, stand on a desktop and recite poetry. We share our own poems, we practice spoken word, we rap, we rant, we laugh and cry; we snap our fingers to encourage one another and show our appreciation. Oftentimes, Vis poets will craft poems together, poems which usually find their way into Visitation's annual Literary and Arts Magazine.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Quiz Bowl & Knowledge Bowl
Advisors:Doug Hoverson
A sport for the mind providing a format for student growth centered on academics. Quiz Bowl and Knowledge Bowl are interdisciplinary academic contests designed for high school students.
This STA club invites Visitation students in grade 9-12 to participate.
Robotics
Advisors: Sydney Benz
Started in 2006, Team 2177: The Robettes, was the first all-girls team in the state of Minnesota and has a long history of success. The team competes in the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) program. Every year, a new game is revealed to teams across the world on the first Saturday in January. Each team builds a robot in only six weeks which will compete in that game at regional, state, and world competitions. Teams form alliances of three robots and compete against other alliances, bringing different strategies to the overall game. It's "more than robots" - the team has an integral business component which provides public relations, marketing, and social media presence.
The team is comprised of four sub-teams: Business, Electrical, Mechanical, and Programming. All sub-teams work together to build a robot to compete in the FIRST sponsored game for the year. In addition to the goal of competing at the highest level, the team strives to build STEM skills that focus on problem-solving, project management, communication and specific technical and business skills. All teams embrace the FIRST goals of cooperation and gracious professionalism. To learn more about these goals and the FIRST program, visit www.firstinspires.com. To learn more about the team, visit the Robettes' social media: website, Twitter, Faceb
TEAM MISSION:
Team 2177, The Robettes, Minnesota's first all-female FRC team, exists to inspire girls of all ages to incorporate STEM in to their lives and revolutionize the perception of women in STEM.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Science Club
Advisor: Brynna Turnau
The Science Club embraces all areas of science including chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, and physics. The Science Club challenges and encourages students to learn more about science through hands-on lab experiments and dissections, discussions on current events and global concerns with a focus on important issues involving ethics and responsibility. The Science Club supports a speaker series to promote science, especially women in science. Meetings are during lunch flex from September to May.
Open to students in grade 9-12.
Spanish Club
STAND
Advisors: Amanda Rosas
Students Together and Naturally Diverse (STAND) helps make Visitation a welcoming environment for all, provides occasional activities focusing on diversity, and helps educate ourselves and the community at large about diversity issues. Meets Fridays during lunch flex. Occasional projects require more participation.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Student Council
Advisor: Katie Fenlon
The student council at Visitation consists of five executive board members and two class representatives from each of the upper school grades. The role of the student council is to promote school spirit and a culture of unity, to address individual class needs, and to be a liaison between administration and the student body. Some of the ways they fulfill these roles is by planning and executing homecoming and winter week activities, by discussing the needs of each grade with the representatives and planning initiatives to address those needs, and by meeting with administration periodically to provide the students’ perspective and ideas. Additionally, student council partners with other groups within the school to support their goals and to plan and complete service projects.
Student council members meet one to two times per week during lunch flex and homeroom. Elections are held in the spring for the executive board and representatives (except for 9th grade representatives who are elected in the fall). Students in grades 11 and 12 may run for the executive board and students in grades 9-12 can run for the representative positions.
Students of Color Society (SOCS)
The Students of Color Society is a student group that creates a courageous space at Visitation where students of color are encouraged to pursue leadership opportunities. The group also discusses issues that pertain especially to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups at Visitation. The Students of Color Society’s main objective is for students to feel empowered and gain more confidence in their identities with the support of others who share their lived experience within the Visitation community.
VISTA Productions
Advisors: Elliott Hays and Wendy Short-Hays
The combined theater department of Visitation and Saint Thomas Academy offers numerous areas of involvement to create theatrical productions throughout the school year. There are three main stage productions year. Opportunities include performing, acting, singing, dancing, scenic and technical crews, costuming, script writing, stage management, box office and choreography.
Production dates are in the school calendar. More information on the Arts page.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
VISTORY
Advisors: Claire Kranz
VISTORY (Visitation in Service to Others through Responsive Youth) was established in 1998 to encourage our students to join other Visitation Schools for a week of service each summer.
VISTORY has been designed to be a life-altering experience for students as they grow in their knowledge of the disadvantages which burden many people in today's society. Students are encouraged to grow in an understanding of their lifelong responsibility to help alleviate the suffering of those who lack the human necessities of life.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Women ActiVISts
Advisor: Amanda Rosas
Women ActiVISts was formed during the 2016-17 school year by students who have a deep social concern for women’s rights advocacy. They work towards educating themselves and others on human rights issues that affect women, such as gender violence, sex-trafficking and the treatment of women worldwide. Women ActiVISts meets every other week through out the school year.
Open to students in grades 9-12.
Yearbook
Advisors: Ed Overell
Yearbook allows students to tell the story of the school year through photos, stories and graphic design. Editors begin developing theme ideas over the summer and are required to attend a workshop at Visitation in early August. Meetings are twice a week during flex time from September through March, with additional meetings as needed.
A high level of commitment is expected and required to complete the yearbook in time for distribution in the spring. Editors are motivated seniors and juniors who successfully complete an application process for their positions. Staff members may contribute on an "as needed" basis.
Middle School
In addition to the robust academic programs enjoyed in the Visitation Middle School, we offer many activities to build confidence and awareness in our students' lives.
Academic & Community
- Advisory program
- Middle School Assemblies
- Ballet
- Chicago Music Tour (Grade 8)
- Christmas Concert
- Curriculum-based field trips
- Geography Bee
- Grandparents’ Day
- Holiday celebrations
- Mother-Daughter Tea (Grade 8)
- Orchestra concerts
- Multi-age Prayer Partners with Lower School
- Quiz Bowl (Grade 8)
- Spring concert
- Welcome events
- Middle School Fun Week
- Middle School mixers with STA Middle School
- Annual Vis vs. STA Middle School Volleyball Tournament
- Middle School Game Night
- Middle School movie nights
- Yearbook junior editors
- Middle School spring musical
- Clay Club
- Chess Club
Faith & Service
- Advent liturgies
- All-School Mass celebrations
- Ash Wednesday prayer service
- Christmas Stocking Project
- Days for Girls sewing service project
- Simon Says Give birthday boxes service project
- Off-campus service projects
- On-campus donation drives
- First Friday Masses
- Flag-raising and Opening Mass
- Founders’ Day Prayer Service
- Holy Day celebrations
- Lenten projects
- May Crowning of our Blessed Mother
- Middle School Masses
- Class Salesian Retreats
- Stations of the Cross
Athletics
Basketball, soccer, softball and swim/dive teams are open to students beginning in grade six.
Starting in grade seven, Middle School students may try out for several high school-level sports.
See the Athletics page for more information.
Lower School
In addition to the comprehensive academic programs enjoyed in the Visitation Lower School, we offer many activities to build confidence and awareness in our students' lives.
Academic & Community
- After-school enrichment clubs (click to register)
- Author-in-Residence Program
- Author visits
- Back-to-School Celebrations
- Ballet
- Book fairs
- Christmas Concert and Festival
- Class parties
- Convocations
- DARE Program (Grade 5)
- Diversity awareness activities
- Field Day
- Field trips
- Genius Hour/Design for Change projects
- Grandparents’ Day
- Holiday celebrations
- Maker Space activities
- Merrie Market
- Move-up Day
- Multi-grade activities
- Orchestra concerts
- Parent Association parent parties
- Piano recitals
- Robotics (Grade 5)
- Spring Showcase
- STEAM Integration
- Summer camps
- Welcome Picnic
Faith & Service
- Advent prayer services
- All-school masses
- Ash Wednesday
- Catholic Schools Week celebrations
- Christmas Stocking Project
- First Communion celebration (Grade 2)
- Flag-Raising and Opening Mass
- Food & Clothing Drive
- Founders’ Day
- Holy day celebrations
- Lenten projects
- Liturgy
- May Crowning of our Blessed Mother
- Retreats
- Service projects (on and off campus)
- Stations of the Cross
Athletics
Athletics opportunities abound for our Lower School students. Starting in kindergarten, students may compete on a Catholic Athletic Association swim/dive team; and basketball, soccer and softball teams are open to students in fifth grade. Many summer camps and clinics are offered to Lower School children.
See the Athletics page for more information.