tudent Council - The student council is open to students of all grades. It manages various events and student interests throughout the academic year.

Advisor: Anna Koopman

One Act Play & Spring Play - Students perform a set of one act plays in the Spring. The plays tend to run 45 minutes or less, but can contain multiple scenes. Students audition and perform the plays in the St. Cecilia Theatre.

Advisor: Mr. Mark Roeckers

Musicals (High School and Junior High School) - High School students audition, rehearse and perform a musical production in the late Fall. Please consider becoming a Musical Patron to support our students! Junior High students are joined by St. Stan’s Middle School students in the Spring to collaborate for a musical production of their own. The shows are open to the public and performed in St. Cecilia Theater.

Advisor: Mr. Mark Roeckers

National Honors Society (NHS) - Cotter students are invited to apply if they are at least a 2nd Semester sophomore, junior, or senior student with 3.5 GPA. If accepted they are inducted to the organization at our annual leadership prayer service in the Spring.

Advisor: Marisa Corcoran

The Congressional Debate process consists of students acting as Congressional Representatives in a House chamber.  The Representatives vote on a Docket of Legislation to debate for a given Chamber session.  Representatives give speeches alternately in affirmation or negation which are followed up with a question and answer session.  Congressional Debate develops students' skills in extemporaneous speaking, leadership, research, writing, analytical thinking, and the art of arguing a point.  Along with the Speech Team, the Congressional Debate team members are part of the National Speech and Debate Association.  As a member, students are eligible to compete at the National level.  If you are interested in becoming a Representative of Cotter’s Congressional Debate team, please watch for a 2019 spring meeting.  All questions can be directed to Coach Bob French.

Advisor: Bob French

Advisor: Mrs. Amy French

Mock Trial - Is a competitive program open to high school students. The team practices roles in both prosecuting and defending a criminal case as well as understanding witness testimony. Interested students should have a passion for acting, public speaking, or debate. Competition occurs between schools along with regional and state competitions as well.

Advisor: Mr. Evan Howard

Model Legislature - This event gathers middle school, high school and college students from the surrounding area to write, sell and vote for bills for their state. The event is a chance for students to learn the state government process — by participating in a mock government.

Advisor: Mr. Evan Howard

Outdoor Club - High school students will experience the outdoors in a variety of new and interesting ways throughout the school year.

Advisor: Mrs. Marie Barrientos

Yearbook Club - Yearbook is a fantastic way to meet new friends and express yourself creatively. We meet throughout the year during flex periods on a semi weekly basis. During this time you will be trained in how to use the Jostens Design Program and then partner up with a club-mate to design a yearbook spread that you can work on during our meeting times or at home. You also have the opportunity to help out with many other yearbook related tasks including promotions, photography, sales, editing, and distribution.

Junior High Advisor: Ms. Ali Wagner

Senior High Advisor: Ms. Emily Shriver

Music Listening - This group listens to classical music and gains skills to name the song and composer of the piece. Members are placed in teams of three and compete against other schools. Contests involve identifying classical music, global perspectives and a variety of musical influences.

Advisor: Mrs. Cathy Snyder

Book Club - Book club is an opportunity for you to read the newest YA fiction and discuss it with others in a casual atmosphere. If you enjoy reading new material with varying genres and are open to discussing ideas and opinions, this is the club for you. The club meets every two weeks during lunch and average about a book every three months. All books read are chosen and voted on by the group.

Advisor: Ms. Emily Shriver

Parmies (Prayer Armies Knitting Group) - This group of high school students meets during lunch each week and knit scarves, prayer shawls and hats for those in need. Each handmade item is prayed over by the group, and a prayer card is sent with the gift to those in need.

Advisor: Mrs. Mary Hansel-Parlin

Journalism - The Cotter Chronicle is the student newspaper for Cotter High School. “The Chronicle,” as it is referred to by students and faculty, is an online newspaper with new stories being published as they happen.

Read our student's latest stories!

Advisor: Mr. Mike Costello

Photography Club - This club is for high school students who enjoy taking photos. There is a Fall show on display during the Fall Musical (St. Cecilia Foyer). A Spring Show is organized as it works with the group’s schedule and level of interest.

Advisor: Mary Hansel-Parlin

Chess Club - Students will learn and test strategies playing Chess. Competitions will be held throughout the school year.

Advisor: Yet to be determined.

History Day- History Day involves students creating a project related to a particular theme. Students choose a topic that they want to research and create a project. The project can be an exhibit, a website, documentary, performance, or essay. Students create their project and write a short accompanying paper. The school approves projects to go to the regional competition at WSU in March, where they can compete for the opportunity to go to the State competition at the U of M in late April.

Advisor: Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson

Running Club - This club meets during the Winter months and is open to both junior high and senior high students. This club meets after school and runs around the lakes, up Garvin Heights, and around Prairie Island.

Advisor: Mr. Tom Reigstad

SPA (Students Promoting Awareness) - This group focuses on student-led concerns. The focus varies from year to year. The group addresses the issues of concern and then come up with creative ideas to help with the causes.

Advisor: Mrs. Mary Hansel-Parlin

Math Team - There is a Jr. High Math Team as well as a High School Math Team. The teams meet weekly to practice math problems and take part in mini lessons for new topics. The team competes in meets throughout the school year. The high school math team has won the Hiawatha Valley Division over 20 years in a row! In 2018, the team placed 1st among tier 2 schools and 7th among all schools. 

Junior High School Coach: Ms. Sandra Hohnstadt

High School Coach: Dr. Ken Suman