Athletics and Physical Education

Our goal is to promote a positive learning environment that meets the needs and abilities of all students, and encourages them to maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Interscholastic Athletics and Physical Education

Requirements

Each student must accumulate six physical education credits for graduation. These credits may be acquired in a variety of ways. In each of the sports seasons – fall, winter, and spring – students may participate in either the interscholastic athletics program or the physical education (PE) program to earn credit. One (1) credit is given for each season of participation in a PE class. One and a half (1.5) credits are given for each season of interscholastic athletics. Managing a team, regardless of level, will earn one (1) credit. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement prior to their junior year.

Physical Education options may include:

Interscholastic Athletics

Interscholastic Athletics — Commitment and Placement, and Levels of Competition

It is a privilege for an athlete to represent The Park School; we take great pride in our athletic program. All athletes choosing to join a team must understand that they are making a serious commitment to the goals of the program. Each team member is expected to fulfill team and school expectations; failure to do so may jeopardize an athlete’s opportunity to participate on a Park team. Student-athletes understand the value of hard work, commitment, perseverance, and working together toward a common objective. This requires time and energy and the ability to balance academic and athletic goals. Being a member of a varsity team requires the highest level of commitment in both time and attitude.

We are governed by separate boys’ (MIAA) and girls’ (IAAM) leagues; students participate in the program that fits their gender identity.

Commitment
Competing as a member of a varsity team requires the highest level of commitment, both in time and attitude. Attendance for team sports is similar to that for academic classes: students are expected to arrive on time and fully prepared – physically and mentally – to participate. Since participation in athletics is credit bearing, athletic commitments take precedence over noncredit extracurricular activities.

Every student wishing to participate will have a roster spot within the program whenever possible. Based on the number of participants, we may need to limit the roster size in a particular program. Students must continue to meet the expectations of the program (sportsmanship, attendance, willingness to learn, team work, etc.) throughout the entire season.

Placement and Levels of Competition
Park will field 1-2 teams per program based on the number of interested students. Placement involves a combination of many factors including experience, skill, commitment, social and emotional maturity, roster size, and positions needed at each level. Grade level is not the determining factor for team placement; each player will be evaluated during the team tryout period and placed by the coaches on the appropriate team. Sportsmanship is a key component for every program at every level.

varsity

This is our most competitive level. There are large demands on the student-athletes’ time; practices are longer than junior varsity practices, and there are more games, including tournaments and possible weekend practices and competitions. Playing time is not guaranteed. 

junior varsity

Competition is at a high level; this reflects a competitive experience for those students not making the varsity level. There are significant demands on the student-athlete’s time. The teaching of rules, skills, and strategies is key. All students will get meaningful playing time over the course of the season, but not necessarily equal playing time. Playing time is determined by effort, attendance, skill, and sport IQ.

Requirements

Six credits of physical education are required for graduation.

One credit is given for each season of participation in a PE class, and 1.5 credits are given for each season of interscholastic athletics. Thus, a student who participates on teams during two of the three seasons will meet the requirement by the end of the tenth grade year. A student who participates only in the PE program needs to be involved in each of the seasons to meet the requirement by the end of the tenth grade. Students may also accumulate credits by playing on teams some seasons and participating in PE during others. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement prior to the junior year.

Upcoming Athletic Games