Introducing House League

October 2025

 

Jiwon is a KIS communications intern. At the start of this school year she talked with middle and high school student council leaders and Middle School Principal Molly Burger about the launch of the House League.

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For the 2025-26 school year, middle and high school student councils (Stuco) have developed an exciting new House League system, bridging middle and high school advisories. The four leagues, based on old Korean myths, are: Nine Tailed Foxes, Dragons, Serpents, and White Tigers. The House League system fosters school spirit and a stronger community across grade levels through different activities and friendly competitions. Many people helped develop the system including Middle School Principal Molly Burger, High School Stuco Members Rian and Aiden, and Middle School Co-Presidents Rachael and Jacob. 

Ms. Burger explains, “In middle school, advisories from each grade formed a house – we had 11 different houses and 11 different colors, and they changed every year. As we talked with the teachers and middle school student council, it became clear that everyone was struggling with the complexity. So, having been in a school that went through a similar change, I suggested the idea of creating this House League system.” 

On the first day of school, grade level advisories gathered on the field to sort into the different houses. Each house is represented by two leaders for the rest of the year. Because Stuco members cannot represent a house, the houses grant additional leadership opportunities. High School Stuco President Hannah says, “The house leagues are a way to connect middle and high school in fun events and school spirit.” 

Throughout this school year, Stuco is incorporating House League into different events, such as Spirit Week and pep rallies. Houses will earn points by competing in games, challenges, and other activities. However, the competitions are not only about winning – they will also be a meaningful experience of celebrating creativity and representing an entire team of different grade levels instead of just your own. Ms. Burger expresses, “I’m excited that kids will remain in the same house because they’ll feel more connected to it as they go along. They’ll always be a tiger or a fox.” 

The first house activity led by the house captains occurred in late September, in which middle school students gathered to participate in a video challenge. The challenge was to create the best video according to the trend “Jet 2 Holiday” on social media. The house captains were very excited to lead their first activity. Seventh grade Stuco member Julia says, “I think because there’s more people it makes everyone very engaged in the different activities the house teams plan and I also think that the amount of people offers a new dynamic because every person is different in showing their spirit.”