Extra-curricular activities offer Options students a rich variety of exciting, rigorous, culturally relevant, and engaging learning opportunities.  This is a sample of a few programs offered at Option schools.

Academic Decathlon.  Students from many Option schools together form teams to compete at the District-level Academic Decathlon.  They often score in the mid-range in the overall competition.

Students Run L.A.  Students Run L.A. is an opportunity for secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring, and improved health by providing them with a truly life-changing experience:  training for and completing The City of Los Angeles Marathon.  This District-wide program was started by Options teachers and is currently directed by a community day school principal.

ArtsCool.  ArtsCool is a collaborative program with CalArt's that brings dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and media programs to Option schools.  Students work with faculty, artists, and students from CalArts to learn artistic skills and techniques, planning and organizational skills, how art influences their lives, and how they can interact with and appreciate the arts.

The HeART Project.  The HeART Project is a multi-level program that engages Options students in the arts.  The first level is classroom workshops.  Students who demonstrate a commitment to the arts at this level may participate in a three-month, after-school program which meets at different art spaces around the city.  The third level is an opportunity for students to earn art scholarships for continuing their post-secondary education.

Playwrights in the Schools.   Playwrights in the Schools is a program for Options students to learn essential reading and writing skills by learning how to write a play under the guidance and support of professional directors and actors.