Middle School Level
All Middle School students are required to participate in “Physical Education/Athletics” within, or at the end of, the school day. Each season Middle School students gather to choose one activity from a wide range of competitive interscholastic and non-competitive individual or fitness-oriented options. Participation in Physical Education/Athletics will occur four days out of every six-day cycle. With the exception of game days and other off-campus activities, practices will conclude by 3:30 p.m.
The Holton-Arms Middle School program recognizes and responds to the unique characteristics of young adolescents in its instruction, activities, expectations, and goals. In the Middle School we seek to develop and strengthen fundamental skills in a variety of activities. Coaches and students explore rather than specialize in athletic opportunities. Middle School athletics focus on teamwork and sportsmanship, health and safety, responsibility and accountability, and building meaningful relationships. Coaches aim to give athletes as equal playing time as possible based on the number of athletes on the roster and keeping substitutions within the rules.
Upper School - Third Level
The purpose of these teams is to gain the skill and strength necessary to move up in the future to the junior varsity or varsity level. While third team members should not expect equal playing time, all players are guaranteed to play in every game.
Upper School - Junior Varsity Level
Junior varsity is designed to develop student-athletes and to feed the varsity athletic program, although not all players will move on to the varsity level. The junior varsity programs are characterized by detailed strategies, strong fitness levels, sport specific skills, and development of leadership. In games, the goal is for all players to receive playing time, but in close competition, some may not. Any Upper School student may make this team; however, senior participation is determined by the coaching staff.
Upper School - Varsity Level
The varsity athlete is highly motivated, highly skilled, and dedicated to her sport(s) and her team(s). Athletic excellence comes from motivation, resiliency, out-of-season training, and the pursuit of athletic opportunities inside and outside of school. Often, varsity athletes have gained experience playing recreationally, at the club level, and/or attending summer camps to achieve top performance.
The varsity team strives to be highly competitive in the ISL and to win in a sportsmanlike manner. Athletes are expected to communicate about game strategy, to set big goals, and to work together to build trust and confidence in all players. At this level, no athlete is guaranteed playing time and each team member is expected to be totally committed to team engagements on and off the field. Most varsity teams have both weekend and vacation committments at some point during the season.