MIDDLE SCHOOL VISION
In the Middle School, athletic programs emphasize skill development and commitment to a team. We value sportsmanship, cooperation, and competitive spirit. Student athletes are encouraged to take risks through continued exploration of the expanded athletic opportunities available. Through exemplary coaching, practice and interscholastic competition, students develop greater technical skills and discipline in their sport. Teams are organized to ensure appropriate development and challenge in accordance with athletic ability. With each year, the program continues to build momentum towards a more demanding and competitive program in the Upper School.
GOALS:
- Instill appreciation of commitment to fitness
- Develop a full range of physical abilities, muscular strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility, grace, and agility
- Teach rules, skills, self-discipline, cooperation, sportsmanship, respect, and commitment to shared goals
- Help students nourish a positive self-image
- Provide a range of opportunities for students to compete in sports of their choice
FOCUS:
Competition is the essential ingredient of the athletic program. We encourage our student-athletes to embrace challenge, overcome obstacles, think creatively, cherish loyalty and, most importantly, to compete with enthusiasm. Competition helps students to do their best and helps them learn how to deal with both winning and losing in a respectful, socially acceptable way. Our student athletes are expected to play with determination, play fairly and respect the efforts of their opponents.
Our program is led by caring professionals who promote high expectations while offering genuine opportunities for our student athletes to be successful.
Communication
Students and their parents are encouraged to communicate directly with coaches on any sports-related issue. Principals and the Director of Athletics are also sources of information about programs.
Sportsmanship
The cornerstone of our program is the promotion of the ideals of good sportsmanship. We have the highest expectations for our coaches, players, and the parent community in this regard. Demonstrating good sportsmanship through genuine support for our teams, courtesy toward competitors, and respect for officials is absolutely expected.
GRADES 5-8 ATHLETICS
Optional Interscholastic Sports for grades 5-8 offer interested students the opportunity to develop skills to a greater level and to experience competition with others of the same age and ability. Interscholastic sports that have more than one team will be formed by experience, ability, and team needs in consultation with the Co-Athletic Directors and the Middle School Principal.
Parents will be asked to help with transportation to athletic contests in the SPA travel circle and on weekends. Busses will be provided for early contests and to locations outside the SPA travel circle.
A mandatory parent, athlete, and coach team meeting will be held on the Randolph campus at/or before the start of each sport season. The meeting dates to be announced. Fifth grade does not have to attend the spring meeting.
Girls Fall Sports: Soccer (5-8) #; Swimming (7-12); Tennis (6-8) #; Volleyball (5-8)
Boys Fall Sports: Football (5-8); Soccer (5-8) #
Co-ed Fall Sports: Cross Country (6-12)^
Girls Winter Sports:Basketball (5-8) # >; Hockey (7-12) #; Dance (8-12)
Boys Winter Sports: Basketball (5-8) #>; Swimming (7-12); Hockey (7-9) #
Co-ed Winter Sports: Nordic Skiing (6-12) ^; Alpine Skiing (7-12)#; Fencing (7-12) (6 Development)
Girls Spring Sports: Softball (6-8) #; Golf (7-12) #; Lacrosse (8-12) #
Boys Spring Sports: Baseball (6-8) #; Tennis (6-8) #; Golf (7-12) #
Co-ed Sports:Track (6-8); Softball (5) >
*Alpine Skiing is open to experienced seventh and eighth grade skiers.
Alpine Skiing is typically not open to middle school students.
However, a seventh and eighth grade athlete with USSA experience may petition the Co-Directors of Athletics and the coach to be invited to compete. An eighth grade girls may petition to play girls Lacrosse.
Physical Education classes are part of the student's daily schedule. The program is designed to expose students to a variety of sports, skills, and knowledge so they will be able to select their future athletic-physical education and lifetime physical activities. Opportunities are provided within the class to develop physical and cardiovascular fitness. Students in grades 5-8 are required to take physical education even if they are also participating in extracurricular sports or other activities such as plays.
A seventh or eighth grade athlete can petition to play on an Upper School team if invited to do so by the head coach. If the petition is granted, the physical education requirement may be waived while the student is participating on the Upper School team.
Petition Sequence for seventh and eighth grade participants on Varsity sports teams
1. Parent submits petition letter to the Athletics Department. The head coach consults with his/her staff, and documents the student's ability to play at the Varsity level.
2. The Athletics Department will submit the request and documentation to the MS Principal.
3. The Principal gathers information from teachers and advisor and makes the final decision.
2013 FALL SPORTS
Please check the athletics news page for updated athletics program information.
Coaches will contact parents and athletes with preseason practice information.
I. 5-8TH GRADE FALL SPORTS #
Girls Soccer: Practice begins August 19, 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. middle field. The 5th graders will tour the upper school facilities August 19, meeting the coach in the west parking lot. On August 28, the coach will meet the bus from the Goodrich Campus and orientate the 5th graders to the Randolph Campus. Season ends late October. **
#
Boys Soccer: Practice begins August 19, 3:15- 4:30 p.m. The 5th graders will tour the upper school facilities August 19, meeting the coach in the west parking lot. On August 28, the coach will meet the bus from the Goodrich Campus and orientate the 5th graders to the Randolph Campus. Season ends late October. **
Boys Football: Practice begins August 19, 9:30 a.m. upper/Davern field. The 5th graders will tour the upper school facilities August 19, meeting the coach in the west parking lot. On August 28, the coach will meet the bus from the Goodrich Campus and orientate the 5th graders to the Randolph Campus. Two Independent League teams: evening games plus an occasional Saturday game. Season ends late October. **
Girls Volleyball: Practice begins August 19, big/small gym, 3:15-4:30 p.m. 5th grade pre-school practices on the Randolph Campus beginning with a tour of the upper school facilities meeting the coaches in the main gym and August 28, the coach will meet the bus from the Goodrich Campus and orientate the athletes to the Randolph Campus. Should we have enough 5th graders for one team, the 5th grade practices will move to the Goodrich Campus. Season ends early November. **
#
Girls Tennis 6th-8th Grade: Preseason practice begins August 19, 3:15-4:15 p.m. on the Randolph Campus tennis courts. Season ends late October.
II. 7-12TH GRADE FALL SPORTSGirls Swimming and Diving: Varsity and JV co-op team with Highland Park High School. Practice begins August 12 at Highland Park High School pool, call for time 651-696-1345. Season ends late November. **
◊ Boys and Girls Cross Country Running: Varsity team practice begins August 12, Development team practice begins August 19, 9:00 am meet in the Randolph Campus athletic hallway. Season ends early November **
2013-2014 WINTER SPORTS
Please check the
athletics news page for updated athletics program information.
Coaches will contact parents and athletes with preseason practice information.
I. 5-8TH GRADE WINTER SPORTS # ▼
Boys Basketball: Practice begins the week of November 4, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade 3:15 p.m. Randolph Campus gyms, 5th grade 3:00 p.m. at Goodrich Campus gym. Practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday rotation with the girl’s teams. Season ends late February. **
# ▼
Girls Basketball: Practice begins the week of November 4, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade 3:15 p.m. Randolph Campus gyms, 5th grade 3:00 p.m. at Goodrich Campus gym. Practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday rotation with the boy’s teams. Season ends late February. **
#
Boys Area Youth Hockey: Explore the Youth Hockey Association in your area. Be aware that sign-up information for Area Youth Hockey is available in early September and tryouts begin in October.
II. 7-12TH GRADE WINTER SPORTSBoys and Girls Fencing: Varsity team and Middle School team practice begins November 11. Sixth grade development team practices two days a week. Season ends mid-February.
#
SPA Girls Hockey or Area Youth Hockey: Varsity and JV co-op team with Visitation High School. Players have the option of playing with the SPA Varsity/JV program or age-appropriate area hockey depending on skill and maturity. Explore the Youth Hockey Association in your area. Be aware that sign-up information for Area Youth Hockey is available in early September and tryouts begin in October. SPA practice begins October 28 and ends late February. **
◊
Boys and Girls Nordic Skiing: Varsity and Development team practice begins November 11and ends mid-February. **
Boys Swimming and Diving: Varsity and JV co-op team with Highland Park High School. Practice begins November 25 at Highland Park High School pool and ends early March. **
#
Boys and Girls Alpine Skiing: Qualified 7th and 8th grade USSA skiers may petition to ski. Practice begins November 11 and ends mid-February. The varsity teams are limited to 12 skiers each. **
Girls Dance 8-12th Grade: Varsity team practice begins October 21, practice site to be determined. Season ends mid February. **
2014 SPRING SPORTS
Please check the
athletics news page for updated athletics program information.
Coaches will contact parents and athletes with preseason practice information.
I. 6-8TH GRADE SPRING SPORTS #
Baseball: Practice begins 1st week in April, 3:15 p.m. weather permitting. March 31, 3:15 player sports meeting. Season ends late May. **
#
Softball: Practice begins 1st week in April, 3:15 p.m. weather permitting. March 31, 3:15 player sports meeting. Season ends late May. **
5th Grade Co-ed Softball: Practice to be announced at the Goodrich Campus after spring break.
Boys and Girls Track and Field: Practice begins 1st week in April, 3:15 p.m. weather permitting. March 10, optional start with Varsity March 10. March 31, 3:15 player sports meeting. Season ends late May. **
#
Boys Tennis 6th–8th Grade: Practice begins 1st week in April, 3:15 p.m. weather permitting. March 31, 3:15 player sports meeting. Season ends late May.
II. 7-12TH GRADE SPRING SPORTS #
Boys and Girls Golf: Varsity and JV team practice begins March 17, weather permitting and ends early June. The varsity teams are limited to eight players each. 7th and 8th graders may petition to play. **
Girls Lacrosse: Varsity, JV and C-Squad co-op teams with Visitation High School. Practice begins March 24, Athletes meet at Visitation High School. Season ends late May. **
** Play-offs may extend the season.
# Lack of space forces us to limit the size of these teams.
▼ Team may practice and have games at the Goodrich Campus.
◊ Sixth graders are invited to participate in practices only. MSHSL rules prohibit fifth and sixth graders from participating in Varsity and JV sports.
Schedules are subject to change. Check the athletics website:
www.spa.edu