Phoenixville Area High School

Our Academic Clubs offer students the opportunity to pursue their academic interests outside of the typical classroom setting.  From our Academic Team to Physics to Phantom TV, these clubs provide students a greater understanding and appreciation for different disciplines.

Academic Team
Academic Team engages in structured competitions that test historical, scientific, mathematical, literary, and other knowledge. We practice weekly to prepare for these competitions.
Advisor: Mr. Sprenkle

Astronomy Club
The Astronomy Club is for students interested in observational astronomy. The club arranges 2-3 Star Night events in both the fall and the spring. During the Star Night events, we utilize our two telescopes to view the night sky on the upper turf. Students will learn how to use telescopes with and without tracking devices to observe features of the night sky. The club will be meeting once per month with the time and location to be determined and communicated at previous meeting.
Advisor: Mr. Jock

Debate Club
Debate club is focused on improving formal debate skills by researching current events to engage in structured debates. We debate a wide variety of topics throughout the year and will meet at least once a month to plan and conduct our discussions. 
Advisor: Mr. McAndrew

Destinations with Direction
DWD is a program designed to increase awareness and motivate high potential, economically disadvantaged students to pursue opportunities in higher education, or improve work & life skills. The students selected for DWD annually receive additional supports including extended school days, counseling, college mentors, tutors, weekly workshops, and college tours. Additionally, school personnel establish relationships with the appropriate college level officials to help match student needs with resources and services available to assist them on this journey. Students also gain beneficial knowledge on alternative courses after high school, such as two-year programs and technical schools. By giving the students these additional supports, they will become empowered to pursue their goals after high school. This effort will make our students believe in the importance of a education and training beyond high school and give them the confidence to know they have a realistic chance at becoming successful. Students must be recommended and/or invited to participate in the club.
Advisor: Mrs. Lewis

Educators Rising Club
Educators Rising is cultivating a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers. By working with aspiring educators who reflect the demographics of their communities and who are passionate about serving those communities through public education, Educators Rising is changing the face of teaching.  In the club, we will work with our community to try out teaching techniques, do observations, come up with (and execute) programs to learn about the field of education, and work toward the National Conference and Competitions.
Advisor: Ms. Ehrenzeller

Empowering Women in STEM
The Empowering Women in STEM club is geared toward helping students explore topics in STEM.  We will focus on gaining insight into careers in STEM through discussions with guest speakers, field trips, and discussions with each other.  We will also engage in outreach with younger students to provide role models and encouragement. 
Advisor: Mr. Jennings

Environmental Club
The Environmental Club is a service-oriented club that has been in motion for the past ten years. We are committed to empowering Phoenixville students to make our school and community more sustainable. Potential club projects for this year include helping out at a community garden, starting composting at the high school, and cleaning up around campus, among other things. With your help, we can make a huge difference in our school and community!
Advisor: Mr. Wilcox

French Club
The “Cercle Francophone” (French Club) meets once a month and is open to all students. The purpose of French Club is to explore and learn about the Francophone cultures through cooking lessons, outings to restaurants, trips to museums (Philadelphia Art Museum, Rodin Museum, Barnes Foundation), French films (Colonial Theatre, Ursinus College French Film Festival), and more. Some of our discussions may include promotion of the French Program, and fundraising.  French Club is run by the students in the Société Honoraire de Français (French honor society).

FBLA
Future Business Leaders of America is an academic club that prepares students for careers in and outside of business. It teaches networking, skills, and puts an emphasis on community service. FBLA is the largest student organization in the country and at times the largest here at PAHS!
HOSA
HOSA is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and several federal and state agencies. HOSA’s mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. Competitive events provide recognition and scholarship opportunities and prepare students for college and beyond.
Advisor: Mr. Gianni

Model United Nations
Model United Nations is a club dedicated to expanding students’ minds beyond the community. Students meet once a week to discuss, debate and resolve world issues ranging from Europe’s increase in Muslim immigrants as a result of the Arab Spring, to ways to eliminate racism from the English Premier League soccer organization. The club is modeled after the real-world United Nations and gives students the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a delegate. Throughout the year, we will travel across the country to compete, debate and grow with some of the most talented minds from across the world.
Advisors: Mrs. Son and Mr. McAndrew

National Honor Society
The National Honor Society serves to honor students who demonstrate scholarship, leadership, service, and character in both the school and community. Students with a 3.8 GPA or higher are invited to submit their credentials for membership. Leadership is based on information collected through students' school activity/leadership roles. Students are required to perform unpaid service to a non-profit organization in the local community. Students will demonstrate high standards of character; the NHS Faculty Council considers teacher input, discipline, and other relevant data/materials when evaluating character. Annual dues for membership are $10.00 per member.
Advisor: Ms. McGorry and Ms. Tomaszewski

Phantom TV
Open to students in Grades 9-12.  This club creates video content for Phantom TV, the school district TV channel that broadcasts to the Phoenixville community and beyond. Video production of PASD events such as sports, concerts and other special ceremonies is the focus. Students are also involved with recording the morning announcements. As students gain more experience, they are welcome to create their own video projects. Academic credit is available. No experience is required.
Advisors: Mr. Motzer and Mr. Carucci

Physics Olympics (IYPT)
The PAHS Physics Olympics team will be competing with schools around the country in the US National Selection Tournament and will try to earn spots on the US team for IYPT (held in Lund, Sweden this summer).  This is physics-research intensive, so physics knowledge is required. 
Advisor: Jay Jennings

Science Club
The goal of the Science Club is to bring together people that have a passion for science, inquiry and different ways of thinking!  More of a social experience, the club meets to discuss science, make friends, watch movies/shows related to scientific phenomenon, and engage in activities that increase their "nerd cred."  The club provides hands-on experiences to enhance scientific thinking and skills on a regular basis as well as the opportunity to compete against other like-minded individuals for scholarship, recognition and academic opportunities. All are welcome and encouraged to take part.

Spanish Club
The goal of this club is to further the understanding of the language and customs of the Hispanic world. The club does a variety of events including fundraisers for cultural-based field trips and  organizing Hispanic cultural celebrations. The club will play games and host entertaining activities for its members.
Advisor: Mr. Acosta

Spanish National Honors Society
Every February, students who are currently taking a Spanish class can apply to be a part of the Spanish National Honor Society (Sociedad Honoraría Hispánica). This society is a nationally recognized society for students who excel in Spanish and who would like to promote the study of the Spanish language and celebrate the cultures of the Spanish speaking world. The Spanish National Honor Society organizes and participates in events that help Spanish speaking people in our community and the world.
Advisor: Megan Knaster

Technology Student Association
The Technology Student Association (TSA) fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, design, and engineering. Members engage in applying and integrating concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through various co-curricular activities, competitive events, and related programs. If you are creative or crafty and want to apply your skills with the aid of technology, this is a great place to start!
Advisor: Mrs. Haney