Sports Program

The Oakwood School is committed to providing competitive opportunities through interscholastic, recreational, and intramural sports programs. Through these opportunities students are encouraged to consider athletic participation at all levels as a vital part of their personal growth and their educational experience at The Oakwood School.

Competitive, interscholastic sports are offered in the Middle and Upper Schools. Soccer, basketball and baseball are available for boys. Volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball are available for girls. In 2005, Oakwood joined the Coastal Plains Independent Athletic Conference.

No Cut Policy

1. If a student wishes to participate on a team, there is a place for that individual; no cuts are made for any teams in keeping with the school’s stated philosophy of advocacy for interscholastic athletic participation.

Goals for Oakwood Athletics

1. To follow the educational philosophy and mission of the school.
2. To model a commitment and approach consistent with NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) guidelines.
3. To encourage responsible leadership, which places the highest priority on values, education, ethical conduct, fair play, and sportsmanship.
4. To allow physical conditioning and skill development to reach each participant’s highest potential.
5. To provide a program which is safe, and holds the health and welfare of all participants in the highest regard.
6. To give fair and equitable treatment in interactions with all students.
7. To provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience which achieves an appreciation of physical fitness, as well as educational, athletic, and emotional growth.
8. To provide a forum in which students can strive for excellence through competition.
9. To maximize student, parent, and faculty involvement in The Oakwood School athletics.

Sportsmanship & Citizenship

Good sportsmanship is a trademark of The Oakwood School. Constituents should make a special effort to welcome visiting teams and their fans. Actions such as booing, catcalling, or vulgarities will undermine this effort and will not be tolerated. Oakwood expects students and parents to root hard for its players, not against the opposition or the officials. As representatives of The Oakwood School, all constituents are expected to behave in exemplary fashion at all times.

Playing Time

With a no cut policy, playing time in games can become an issue. Coaches will use their discretion to balance the following, sometimes conflicting priorities: meaningful playing time for as many team members as possible; competitive outcomes; student safety. There is no guarantee of equal or minimum playing time for younger and/or less experienced players. However, coaches will do their best to serve the range of skill levels on a team.

Medical Approval

Students planning to take part in interschool athletic competition are required to have a recently completed physical exam indicating that they are in good health and properly prepared for competitive physical activity.

Middle and Upper School Sports Practices

Sports teams will generally practice from 3:30 – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Changes to practice schedules will be made at the coach’s discretion in coordination with the Athletic Director.

Athletics and School Requirements

1. Regular school attendance is required, even after late games.
2. An athlete must attend a minimum of four (4) classes on the day of a scheduled athletic contest in order to compete in the contest.
3. Absences or tardies after away games will not be excused. Only the Head of School or the Assistant Head of School may make exception.
4. Each athlete must turn in all academic assignments due the day of a game before leaving school.
5. Each athlete must check with his or her teachers to get all assignments prior to dismissal and is responsible for completing the assignments made during his or her absence.
6. Tests missed because of athletic dismissal must be made up the day the student returns or at the teachers’ convenience.
7. A test for which a student is unexpectedly present due to cancellation of a game must be taken at the scheduled period.

Athletic Awards

1. Most Improved Player – Awarded in each sport based upon the progress a player has made from one year to another.
2. Most Valuable Player – Awarded in each sport in recognition of progress, coachability, team spirit, and good sportsmanship. The player’s peers select MVPs.