We are The Champions

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

• Grades 5-8 Philosophy

  The athletics program in fifth through eighth grades is a required and important part of the student experience at Portledge School. Middle School practices will occur during the school day at the designated physical education class time on student schedules.  Athletic competitions (games) for 5th and 6th grade occur after school, typically beginning between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Competitions for 7th and 8th-grade teams will occur after school, typically beginning between 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.  All students in fifth through eighth grades must participate in one athletic program per season to fulfill the NY State-mandated PE requirement.

• Junior Varsity Philosophy

  The Junior Varsity program is intended for Upper School students through junior year who display the potential to develop into varsity level performers. Although team membership varies, freshmen and sophomores occupy the majority of junior varsity roster positions. The coaching staff of both teams makes the final decision about junior varsity participation or getting selected for the varsity level.

   

  At the junior varsity level, athletes are expected to have committed themselves to the team and to continued self-improvement. To this end, increased emphasis is placed on physical conditioning, fundamental skills, strategy, character development, and teamwork. At the junior varsity level, although coaches make an effort to provide meaningful playing time for all team members, the outcome of the game becomes an important consideration. Playing time is earned, although every effort is made to get student-athletes into games, it is not a guarantee and up to the coaches' discretion. Commitment to attendance and effort at practice is required at the junior varsity level. 

  
  

  Participants at this level are preparing themselves for the six-day-a-week commitments that will be expected of them at the varsity level. Games and practices rarely take place on Sundays and holidays, but they sometimes occur on Saturdays and during school vacations. Except in rare cases, during the winter and spring breaks, families of junior varsity athletes can count on having a balance of vacation and practice sessions.  If families are at home during the breaks, junior varsity athletes are expected to attend all scheduled practices and games.

• Varsity Philosophy

  In every sport, varsity competition is the culmination of the program. Team size at the varsity level is limited. The number of participants on a team is based on the number needed to conduct an effective, safe practice and the number needed to compete in interscholastic games. A student who chooses to participate on a varsity team needs to understand their role on the team, and coaches are expected to communicate clearly and candidly with each varsity player about that role. While we understand that playing time is important to every team member, playing time at the varsity level is never guaranteed. Coaches try to give every varsity athlete a meaningful amount of playing time over the span of a season. A positive attitude, sportsmanship, and a high level of skill are prerequisites for a position on a varsity team, as is the realization that a varsity sport may require a six-day per week commitment. As with junior varsity teams, this commitment often extends into vacation periods. In particular, we expect all varsity athletes to be available for practices and games during winter, spring, and summer breaks. 

  
  

  Once a varsity team is eliminated from the playoffs, league, or state tournament, or their regular season is completed without a postseason berth, their season is over, and they will no longer meet as a team for practice.