Winfield High School has recently received student interest in forming a new student-led organization that students are referring to as Club America, affiliated with Turning Point USA. In accordance with district policy and federal equal access requirements, the high school is following its established procedures for reviewing the request.
Federal law requires public schools to provide equal access to student groups during non-instructional time when other non-curricular clubs are permitted to meet. Because Winfield High School currently supports a range of student-led organizations, the district must apply the same standards and expectations to this group as it does to all others.
At this time, Club America is not an officially approved student organization. An informational meeting has been held so students could learn about the process for forming a new club. The group is currently operating on a trial basis while completing the established steps required for consideration.
To become a recognized student organization at Winfield High School, all student clubs must:
Have a faculty advisor present to supervise meetings;
Submit a constitution and bylaws outlining the club’s purpose and expectations;
Ensure that membership is open to all interested and eligible students;
Receive approval from STUCO, the Building Principal, and the Athletics/Activities Director.
Under Board Policy JHC, these types of non-curricular organizations are considered School-Recognized clubs. School-Recognized clubs:
Are student-led and initiated,
Are not part of curriculum or instruction, and
Have a faculty advisor present only for supervision—not to direct, promote, or influence the club’s beliefs or activities.
Because these clubs are student-initiated, they are not School-Sponsored, meaning they are not endorsed by the district or presented as part of school programming. The district cannot approve or deny a club based on its viewpoint, beliefs, or message. A club may only be denied if there are behavior or discipline concerns, safety issues, or violations of neutral school rules that apply equally to all organizations.
“Our priority is to ensure that all student clubs—regardless of topic or viewpoint—operate in a way that is respectful, inclusive, and focused on positive student engagement,” said Superintendent Tricia Reiser. “We remain committed to maintaining a school environment where students can explore ideas while ensuring that every activity aligns with our values of respect, belonging, and learning.”
The district will continue reviewing Club America’s documentation and progress to determine whether it meets the criteria for official recognition. Updates will be shared with students and families as the review process continues.