A Balanced Experience Across Middle and High School Athletics

2/28/2020

by Tiffany Townsend

A brief look at the new Middle/High School Athletic Philosophy

"Ensworth believes that fulfilling a commitment, competing, and participating in athletics provide a vital part of a well-rounded educational experience. We believe participating on an athletic team improves academic performance.It is a privilege, not a right, to represent Ensworth as a member of an athletic team; therefore, Ensworth expects our athletes and coaches to dedicate themselves to the highest principles and conduct themselves with moral integrity. Ensworth encourages our student-athletes to become leaders by demonstrating discipline, compassion, humor, and joy, and by using their talents to the fullest."

—Excerpt from Middle/High School Athletic Philosophy

As Ensworth has grown, we have continued to reevaluate our programs to ensure that they are best meeting the needs of our students and preparing them for future success. This year, the Middle School and High School Athletic Departments have worked together to develop a Middle/High School Athletic Philosophy to help provide consistency and continuity across the program in Grades 6–12.

High School Director of Athletics Ricky Bowers shares, “We are intentionally and appropriately connecting our high school educators and students with our middle school educators and students. We will be speaking the same language in each program; there will be long-term terminology and leadership and better coordination and communication, not unlike what we are doing academically with linear curricular connectivity.”

Part of implementing this philosophy is the challenge of managing the large numbers and varying interest levels of students who want to participate on teams at the middle school level. Middle School Director of Athletics Sarah Biddy observes, “There are all different interests and abilities at this age; some just want to play and others are very competitive. We want to manage our growth in a positive and productive way that will better serve our community and the talents and interests of each individual in the Middle School and also create a seamless process as they move up to the High School.”

To address these challenges and help refine the program, Ensworth will begin limiting team sizes in seventh and eighth grades. As part of this change, Biddy and Bowers note that they want to begin providing intramural opportunities, when possible, as an option for students who want to play but not compete. The administrators have already begun to incorporate more fitness into the Middle School PE program to ensure that all students are receiving the exercise and training that they need, similar to the fitness program at the high school.

“Everything we do arises from a desire to provide a quality experience for all of our kids,” notes Bowers. “Adopting this philosophy and making these improvements to our program will allow greater individualized attention and skill development. And if we do this well, everyone will be better served with their physical, emotional, and intellectual opportunities.”

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