PDS students benefit from the opportunity to explore interests, develop talents and pursue passions. Clubs and activities are integral to life in school, and there are many from which to choose. Some are outgrowths of the classroom and focus on academic interests. Others encourage political engagement, environmental action or social change. Students also pursue recreational interests, community service and additional work in the arts. Some activities are school sponsored and many others are led by students, who often demonstrate serious commitment to a number of them.
 

Clubs
The school schedule enables students to become involved in a number of clubs during the academic day so that they may also participate in after-school athletics. During the 2008-2009 school year, the following were available:

• Chess Club
• French Club: Dedicated to conversation and French culture
• Environmental Club: Focus on going green and making a difference at PDS and beyond
• Latin American Club: Understand the Americas beyond our borders
• Mad Scientist Club: Brainstorm science topics and projects outside the classroom
• Poetry Club: Meets, critiques and presents its work in public settings
• The Alliance: Dedicated to social justice and equality for all
• Student Council: (middle school) Students in elected positions work in partnership with the administration
• Standards Committee: (high school) Students in elected positions maintain a dialog on community issues

Activities
In the middle and high schools, activity periods are built into the school week and an important component of school life. They provide co-curricular opportunities for students to make choices among offerings and to get involved. Some activities are a permanent feature of life at PDS and others have resulted from the interests, commitment and leadership of individuals.  Activities enable students to pursue intellectual, social and artistic interests and provide opportunities for gaining leadership experience and independence. Some of the activities listed below are multi-divisional and some may take place outside of scheduled activity blocks.

HIGH SCHOOL
Typical high school activities include:

• Model UN: The PDS team competes annually at the Ivy League Model UN (ILMUN)
• Ambassadors: A group that represents the school in conjunction with the admissions office
• Peer Tutoring
• The Standards Committee: A group committed to maintaining the quality of life at PDS and representing student voices
• Peer Leadership
• Yearbook
• Literary Magazine
• PDS Podcast
• Scarlet: A girls literary magazine (in collaboration with middle school students)
• Olde Time Music
• Guitar Ensemble
• Sidereal: A capella singing group
• Tech Theater Crew
• Para Para: Japanese dance
• Stained Glass

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Typical middle school activities include:

• Composting and Recycling
• Student Council
• Scarlet: A girls literary magazine (in collaboration with high school students)
• Made You Look: A literary journal
• Four Points: Student newspaper
• Scottish Dance
• Afro-Cuban Drumming
• Robotics
• Digital Photography
• Watercolors and Sketching