Student-Led Activities & Organizations

ActNow strives to create tangible and sustainable change in our community by educating ourselves, building awareness, and executing initiatives on topics our members feel strongly about. Oftentimes, aspiring social activists are able to pinpoint areas of need in their community but are left without the tools to create the change their communities need. ActNow will equip them with these crucial tools, by organizing, educating, and aiding the club members. To do that, we will select a few of our members’ most important social justice issues and tackle those topics through the year. Each topic will be designated approximately three ACE Org Meetings; the first being an creative, educational gathering for our members, the second dedicated to planning an event which combats or raises awareness about the issue, and the last spent gathering results and information to create a short newsletter which informs the Castilleja community on the progress which ActNow has made.

Advisor: Ms. Jill Lee

Our mission is to empower our community to take informed action on Bay Area issues at the intersection of public policy and social justice. In the first semester, we research a local social issue and deepen our understanding by talking with experts, and in the second semester, we collaborate with our community to make a tangible impact.

Advisor: Ms. Josée Band

The Castilleja Entrepreneurship Organization strives to provide opportunities for students to fully engage in simulated business and entrepreneurship experiences and develop skills in teamwork, leadership, and communication. This club prepares emerging and passionate leaders in marketing, finance, management and innovation through a variety of hands-on experiences, interest-specific workshops and simulated business planning.

Advisor: Ms. Lee Kerk

Halford Young Women’s Leadership program is a mentorship program that pairs motivated young girls from local under-resourced communities and Castilleja upper school students. As “big and little sister” pairs develop their relationship, little sisters improve their academic and social competencies and big sisters build leadership and mentorship skills. Click here to check out their website!

Advisor: Ms. Becca Winslow

The LifeMoves ACE Org is dedicated to addressing the issue of homelessness in the Bay Area through partnering with a local nonprofit, LifeMoves, that provides shelter, meals, and support to those in need. Our ACE Org works to increase awareness about the homeless population within our own community through fundraisers, spreading information, and directly supporting LifeMoves by creating care packages, organizing donations, and interacting with clients at the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto and the Women’s Dorm.

Advisor: Ms. Hailey Valdez and Mr. Matt Callahan

LEARN MORE

​​The Lucile Packard ACE Organization aims to educate the Castilleja community and spread awareness of children’s experiences with chronic illnesses and further recognize the hospitals’ commitment to provide the best care for its patients. We hope to foster connections with patients to help create a more positive and less isolated experience for them, especially as they are faced with the uncertainty of a lingering pandemic. In addition, we hope to share the achievements of the hospital through highlighting the innovative minds and practices that keep the hospital one of the best children’s hospitals in the country. As an ACE Org, we hope to also cultivate and strengthen our members' social-emotional skills such as empathy, compassion, and self-awareness to best support the patients at Lucille Packard Childrens' Hospital.

Advisor: Dr. Emma Garcia

Peer First Responders is Castilleja’s peer-to-peer counseling program dedicated to training students in counseling skills, strengthening Castilleja’s support network, and ultimately reducing the stigma of seeking help for mental health.

Advisors: Ms. Kate McCracken

The Planned Parenthood Ace org is dedicated to educating and spreading awareness of the mission and impact of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte. We aim to encourage our members and the Castilleja community to volunteer at or attend events in support of equitable and accessible healthcare as well as provide a space to engage and connect over issues of reproductive rights for women and other related current events.

Advisor: Ms. Helen Shanks

The Rosener House ACE Organization aims to develop relationships between Castilleja students and the community at the Rosener House as well as raise awareness for Alzheimer’s and Dementia within the Castilleja community.    

Advisor: Ms. Rigile Ortega 

LEARN MORE

The Green Team’s mission is to educate the Castilleja and broader Bay Area community about the consequences of climate change, provide opportunities to take positive climate actions and to change climate policy in order to promote action regarding the crisis of climate change in both local and global communities.

Advisor: Ms. Xenia Hammer 

Aligned with the Palo Alto chapter of League of Women Voters, the Youth Vote Coalition ACE Org is a nonpartisan, political organization that focuses on encouraging and educating students and community members to be informed and active participants in local government and policy.

Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Raterman