Archery (6, 7, 8) Students join one of the most exciting activities at JMS. The archery team competes in local, state and national competitions. Participating students receive instruction and coaching in archery techniques from certified instructors. Students meet approximately 3 times a week. Approximately 100 students will be participating this year!

Art Club (6, 7, 8) Come and complete various art projects while building lasting friendships. Art club meets weekly with approximately 18-20 participating.

Athletics (6, 7 and 8) grade boys baseball, cross country, girls basketball, boys basketball, girls volleyball, wrestling, scholastic bowl, girls softball and track.

Best Buddies (6, 7, 8) This club meets once to twice a month after school and some activities are during the school day. Best Buddies is designed to promote an inclusive school climate by fostering one-on-one relationships between students with disabilities and students without disabilities.

Cheer Team (6, 7, 8) The JMS Cheer team builds and practices cheer routines and performs them at our JMS athletic events.

Chess Club (6, 7, 8) JMS Chess Club is a recreational event held from 2:35- 3:35 on Fridays. Students of all ability levels including beginners are welcome. Approximately 10-12 students participate weekly.

Choir (6, 7, 8) Do you like to sing? Then JMS Choir may be a perfect place for you! This year we meet every Wednesday from 2:45-3:45 and sing all kinds of music.

Concert Band (6, 7, 8) Grow musically, socially, and academically by joining one of the Jefferson Concert Bands! Approximately 125 students participate in our band programs.

C-U 1-to-1 Mentoring (6, 7, 8) Students meet with their adult mentor for approximately 1 hour a week during lunch to talk, play games and build a relationship. Approximately 50 mentors and students are involved.

Dance Team (6 ,7, 8) Students practice and compete with dance routines at both the local and state level.

Dungeons and Dragons Club (6, 7, 8) Students compete against each other playing the very popular dungeons and dragons card game; while collaborating with other peers.

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) (6, 7, 8) The Jefferson Middle School Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) focuses on educating ourselves and our school community about age-appropriate issues that LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) students face, at school. We meet every second or third Friday in the Music Room from 2:45-3:30; parents are always welcome to join us.

Golden Jaguar Book Club (6, 7, 8) Enjoy lively discussion of our favorite Golden Jaguar nominees, check out a Kindle, write book reviews and just have fun reading!

Jefferson Post (Newspaper Club) (6,7,8) Students draft, edit, and publish a school-wide journal for students and staff to read and learn about what is going on at Jefferson.

IESA State Speech Contest (6, 7, 8) Students who go to Contest are coached in improvisation and/or scene acting. They perform in front of a judge who will rate their performance. Based on their rating, students will receive a medal or ribbon for their work in Drama. State speech is a Fall Semester activity that meets daily, depending on events being rehearsed. 30-35 students participate.

Intramural Program (6, 7, 8) Intramurals are activities all students are eligible to participate in after school provided they are passing their classes and have no discipline referrals. Intramurals takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays directly after school from 2:35 - 3:35 PM. Activities include team sports like soccer, basketball, softball, and volleyball as well as individual sports like ping pong, swimming, and a free throw contest. 10-20 students participate weekly.

Jazz Band (6, 7, 8) The purpose of this program is to learn, promote, and perform Jazz Music. Jazz members meet 3 days a week.

Jefferson Honors Society (8th) A service organization dedicated to exceptional educational commitment and leadership. NJHS meets once a month and at events as necessary. Approximately 30 participate.

Math Counts- (6, 7, 8) This academic club meets on Thursdays after school. Anyone can participate! Students complete packets of rigorous & challenging math problems. In January, students compete in a school competition test to make the "team" of 10 students who will get the opportunity to compete in Regionals at the University of Illinois the second Saturday in February. In total, 20-30 students participate.

Scholastic Bowl (6, 7, 8) Do you like trivia? Do you want to be a contestant on a show like Jeopardy? Come and prove you're one of the smartest in the school by trying out for Jefferson's Scholastic Bowl team. Scholastic Bowl members compete against other schools. Tryouts are in December. The team will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from January - April.

Science Olympiad (6, 7, 8) This rigorous academic team prepares challenging science and technology projects to compete against area schools.

SPARK (6,7,8) During SPARK students take part in tutoring, homework help, and organizational help during the first portion; during the second portion, students are able to select an interest-based class such as culinary arts, arts and crafts, intramurals, and more. This program is sign-up-based and will be run 6 weeks during each quarter of the year.

Spring Musical (6, 7, 8) The Spring Musical is a great way to show off your acting, singing, and dancing skills on stage! Whether you want a lead role, a supporting role in the chorus, or to work backstage - we have a role for everyone. This is a Spring semester activity that meets daily, depending on rehearsal schedules.

Strings (6, 7, 8) Students have fun learning how to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass in a tight-knit community of string players! Jefferson MS offers Strings during the school day and also meets early mornings 2 days a week.

Student Council (6, 7, 8) A student-led organization that helps the school community by promoting positive relationships. They organize spirit days, the 8th Grade Dance, and participate in community service activities. Student council meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Approximately 30 students participate.