Our Extracurricular Approach
All Midland students participate in either competitive interscholastic sports or a non-competitive afternoon offering during each of our three seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring). Programs prioritize physical fitness while fostering leadership, sportsmanship, self-discovery, and teamwork. Coached by faculty and community members, students build discipline through practice, test their limits, and experience the value of contributing to a team or group effort. Clubs and student-led activities extend this same approach, creating space for students to gather around shared interests, lead initiatives, and shape the culture of our community.
SPORTS
Basketball
Practice, compete, and play against peer schools, building teamwork, communication, and game strategy, with home games in our one-of-a-kind three-sided gym, the Pole Barn. (Winter, Competitive)
Circus
Train in aerial silks, tumbling, and partner acrobatics, developing strength, balance, and body awareness in a focused, supportive setting. (Winter, Non-Competitive)
Climbing
Learn climbing technique, belaying, knot tying, and route planning, building strength, problem-solving, trust, and confidence through progressively challenging climbs. (Seasonal, Non-Competitive)
Cross Country
Run Midland’s 35+ miles of trails, ridgelines, and canyons, building endurance, mental discipline, and connection to our local landscape, with consistent top finishes in league and regional meets. (Fall, Competitive)
Farming & Agriculture
Seed, transplant, harvest, and prepare food grown on campus, building knowledge of food systems, teamwork, and responsibility through hands-on work. (All Seasons, Non-Competitive) (Explore Farm Program)
Hiking & Backpacking
Pack gear, plan routes, and head into the wilderness of our 2,860 acre campus and neighboring Los Padres National Forest, developing navigation, risk management, and leadership skills. (Seasonal, Non-Competitive)
Horseback Riding & Ranch Care
Ride, train, and care for horses using natural horsemanship, while learning groundwork, tack, pasture management, and cattle work, with opportunities to advance into leadership roles and participate in skill-based competitions. (All Seasons, Non-Competitive)
Maintenance & Campus Construction
Build, repair, and maintain campus spaces, developing craftsmanship, problem-solving, and a sense of ownership in the community. (Fall, Winter, Non-Competitive)
Mountain Biking
Ride our student-made campus trails, explore local terrain, build and maintain trail systems, and develop technical riding skills, endurance, and confidence across varied terrain. (Seasonal, Competitive)
Soccer
Train, scrimmage, and compete in league matches, building coordination, teamwork, and game awareness. (Spring, Competitive)
Surfing
Train across fitness, running, and conditioning on campus, preparing for surf days at nearby beaches when conditions align. (Winter, Spring, Non-Competitive)
Volleyball
Practice, rotate through positions, and compete in matches, building communication, coordination, and team dynamics. (Fall, Spring, Competitive)
ACTIVITIES, CLUBS & PUBLICATIONS
Affinity Groups
Gather with peers around shared identity and interests, plan events, and create spaces for connection, celebration, and conversation across campus.
Student Interest Clubs
Each year, students lead an array of amazing clubs. Some recent favorites include Photography Club, Chess Club, Cooking Club, and Stargazing Club!
Overnight Camping: Hardlucks
Pack your sleeping bag, gather your friends, and head out for a night spend under the stars on Midland’s property, led by a certified-student overnight guide.
Midland Mirror Newspaper
Write, edit, and publish student perspectives on campus life, sharing stories, ideas, and observations with the wider community.
Student Council
Step into leadership by representing peers, organizing events, and helping shape the rhythm of student life on campus.
Create Your Own Club
Clubs shift and grow each year based on student interest, with opportunities to join or lead groups that reflect what students care to show up for and build together.
In their own words Read more stories
Cosby Award Scholars 2025 – Five Juniors, Five Paths, One Midland Spirit
From sea turtle research in Guatemala to hospital wards in Kenya, from botanical labs to Paris design studios, this year's recipients came back with clearer goals, deeper resilience, and a stronger sense of who they are and how they want to contribute.
Cosby Award Winner Cathy '24 Studies the Art of Perfumery in France
We learned about the three main types of perfume. These are called accords. The first type is chypre. Feminine perfumes tend to be based on this accord. The second type is called fougère - masculine fragrances tend to be based on fougeres. The last one is called amber oriental, this can be feminine or masculine and is more of a warmer fragrance.
On Horsemanship and Student Leadership: Interview with Emma '23
I came into grade 9 knowing I was a pretty independent person. I could have responsibilities and be able to handle it. I‘ve been able to grow into that and grow more that part of myself. I learned how to balance work responsibilities with academic responsibilities and being a role model and leader for other students.
Discover if Midland is right for you
Midland offers what few schools can: the combination of academic rigor, outdoor life, and genuine community that gives young people the space to discover what they are truly capable of.