A GUIDE TO SHORE ATHLETICS
Physical activity plays an integral role in a child’s education at Shore. From movement exploration in the lower grades to team experiences in the upper grades, we promote positive attitudes towards physical fitness and working cooperatively with others. A lifelong pursuit of physical activity and a healthy approach towards teamwork and competition are primary goals of the physical education and athletic program at Shore.
Seasonal Program Offerings FALL WINTER SPRING
Fall Season: First day of school Winter Season: First day after Spring Season: First day after until Thanksgiving break Thanksgiving break until March March break until June 1 break
Cross Country* Boys Basketball* Baseball*
Boys Soccer* Conditioning (IM) Boys Lacrosse*
Field Hockey* Girls Basketball* Girls Lacrosse*
Girls Soccer* Squash + Paddle (IM) Softball*
Theater (Non-Musical) -or- Theater (Musical) Track & Field* Backstage Crew Backstage Crew
Athletic Exemption (one season) Athletic Exemption (one season) Athletic Exemption (one season) proposal required proposal required proposal required
IM = Intramural Sport * Interscholastic Sport
Athletic Program Requirements ● All students in Grades 6-9 are required to participate in the Shore Athletic Program. Daily practices/rehearsals take place four days per week from 2:50 - 4:05pm. ● A student is required to play on at least one interscholastic team per school year. Interscholastic teams (JV & Varsity) compete with other independent schools and some local public schools. ● In lieu of a sport, a student can opt to participate in a Shore theater program for one season of a school year. ● Some students who possess exceptional skill and dedication to an athletic activity that Shore does not offer may apply for an athletic exemption for a season of a school year. ● Families must submit a Sport/Drama Sign-Up for each of their Upper School student(s). Signing up by the announced due date is strongly encouraged, especially for programs that have an enrollment cap. Specific program listings below will outline any situations where capacity may limit the number of participants.
Daily Practice Schedule 2:50-4:00 p.m. Monday Tuesday Wednesday # Thursday
# Winter Musical has rehearsal until 5:30 on Wednesdays.
Game Schedule Games will take place on weekday afternoons. Occasionally, Shore enters a weekend tournament. Families will be notified well in advance of any weekend commitment.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM OFFERINGS
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS Shore fields teams in 11 interscholastic sports (boys/girls soccer, field hockey, cross country, boys/girls basketball, boys/girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, and track). Interscholastic competition is available for students in grades six through nine. Interscholastic teams compete with other independent schools and some local public schools. The number of teams offered in each sport is dependent on the enrollment in a given sport. The typical designation for the teams is varsity (V) and junior varsity (JV). When there are enough players for two junior varsity teams, the designation will be JV1 and JV2.
Varsity teams compete with other middle school varsity teams as well as the JV/3rd’s teams from some secondary schools. A varsity team is comprised of mostly eighth and ninth graders with the occasional seventh grader. With safety a foremost concern as well as varying social and physical maturity levels, students in Grade 6 are ineligible for varsity team participation. A Varsity Team typically has 10 - 12 games on the season schedule.
Junior Varsity teams compete with other middle school teams (Grades 6-9). A JV team can include students in Grades 6-9. Shore’s JV teams compete with other schools of similar grade levels. A JV team typically has 8-10 games on the season schedule.
As stated above, when enrollment is sufficient, Shore will offer three levels of play, Varsity, JV 1, and JV 2.
JV 1 is a team comprised mostly of students from Grade 7-9 with the occasional athlete from Grade 6. This team plays approximately 8-10 games per season.
JV 2 is a team comprised mostly of students from Grade 6 and 7. This team will play a range of games (approximately 4-6 games) over the course of the season depending on the sport and the size of the team.
Who Does Shore Compete With? Shore belongs to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). While there is no Middle School “League,” Shore competes against a wide range of independent schools and local public schools in our area, including:
Austin Prep, Belmont Day School, Bellesini Academy, Berwick Academy, Brookwood School, Carroll School, Covenant Christian Academy, Dedham Country Day School, Esperanza Academy, Fay School, Fenn School, Fessenden School, Glen Urquhart School, Governor's Academy, Lexington Christian Academy, Manchester Essex Regional Middle School, Middlesex School, Milton Academy, Nashoba Brooks School, Nobles and Greenough School, Phillips Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, Pike School, Pingree School, Rockport Middle School, Shady Hill School, St. John’s Prep, Tower School, Waring School, and Winsor School.
INTRAMURAL ATHLETICS Intramural programs are comprised of students who participate in physical activity experiences at Shore or nearby facilities. Intramural programs do not have tryouts. However, some programs will have an enrollment cap.
Intramural program options: Conditioning* This winter season program is for the motivated athlete seeking to enhance and improve their personal fitness. The workouts in this program include age-appropriate strength and conditioning at Iron Village, indoor cycling (spinning) classes at Inner Cycle, circuit training, and outdoor running. If sign-up exceeds 20 students, preference of enrollment will be given in grade order (starting with Grade 9) from the group of students registered by the registration deadline of May 24, and then on a first-come, first-served basis. *This program has an additional cost (approx. $525) to cover use of off-campus facilities and transportation.
Squash + Paddle* This winter season program takes place at Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton. The program consists of 3 sessions per week of squash/paddle as well as 1 day of fitness/racket activities at Shore. Typically, this program competes in one or two matches over the course of the season. This program fills quickly. If sign up exceeds 16 students, preference of enrollment will be given in grade order (starting with Grade 9) from the group of students registered by the registration deadline of May 24, and then on a first-come, first-served basis. *This program has an additional cost (approx. $525) to cover use of off-campus facilities and transportation.
SPORT SIGN-UP AND TEAM SELECTIONS For planning purposes, students complete the Sport/Drama Sign-Up during the registration process in the spring of the previous year. New students to Shore will sign-up upon enrollment. Signing up in a timely manner helps students to secure their selection and allows time for the school to properly plan staffing, scheduling, facilities, and equipment for the upcoming year.
Team Placement Students sign up for their sport of choice, and, if there are more than enough sign-ups for more than one team, there will be a tryout period. Teams are created through ability-based groupings. Team selections take place at the start of each new season and last for approximately four practice sessions. At the conclusion of the process, the coaches have a brief conversation with each athlete to discuss his/her team placement. Regardless of the team level determined by the coaches, all students are able and expected to participate in their selected sport.
Changing Your Sign-Up It is common for middle school students to have second thoughts regarding their sport/drama sign-up. Prior to each season, the Athletic Director reviews the sign-up with all students. At this time, students have a two-week period to finalize their selection. The deadline for changes is announced well in advance. For planning purposes, changes are not permitted after the announced deadline.
THEATER OFFERINGS During the fall and winter seasons, students can sign up for one theater offering (fall or winter), in lieu of a sport.
Fall: Grade 6-9 Play Participating in a non-musical theatrical production during the fall season is an option for students in Grades 6-9. A student who chooses this option will not be able to participate in the winter musical; they must choose one or the other. There will be a limit of 15 performers for the fall production and 5 students on the tech crew with a total enrollment of 20 students. Rehearsals will meet between 2:50-4:00 p.m. with two later rehearsals during the week of the performances.
Winter: Grade 6-9 Musical Rehearsal times are 2:50-4:00 p.m. (M/T/TH) and 2:50-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. There are 2 weekends during the rehearsal period (January-March) when cast members are expected to attend a 2 1/2 hour rehearsal. Rehearsal times leading up to the performance are also extended. If enrollment exceeds 35 students, auditions will take place prior to the winter season.
A student who chooses this option will not be able to participate in the fall play; they must choose one or the other.
Grade 7-9 Backstage Crew See rehearsal times above for the Grade 6-9 Musical. If enrollment for the Tech Crew exceeds 10 students, preference of enrollment is given to returning crew members and then priority goes to students in grade order starting with Grade 9.
ATHLETIC EXEMPTIONS Some students demonstrate exceptional skill and great dedication to an athletic activity that Shore does not offer. To encourage continued growth and development, a student may apply to be excused from the Shore athletic program for a season.
Criteria for an exemption: ● The student must participate in a sport not offered by Shore during any season of the school year - fall, winter, or spring.
● The student must be receiving professional instruction and committing a minimum of three weekday practices (M-F) that involve at least a total of five hours of practice. These hours may not include travel time or weekend practices.
● The student must have already developed skill, interest in, and dedication to the activity.
● The student must be receiving instruction from a professional coach. A written report from the coach is required to be provided to the Athletic Director at the end of the season of exemption.
● The student must have substantial goals for elite competition and be able to demonstrate that these goals cannot be achieved while participating in the school athletic program.
● An athletic exemption proposal must be submitted by using the online form on the MyShore website. Acceptance or rejection of the proposal will come from the Athletic Committee.
There are circumstances where significant commitment to an athletic endeavor may call for an additional season of exemption from Shore’s athletic program. In this instance, families should contact the Athletic Director prior to the start of the school year.
● To be approved for a two-season athletic exemption the following must occur: ● Supervised practices for eight or more hours during the 5-day school week. ● Elite competition throughout the time period of exemption. ● Athletic Exemption Proposal is submtted prior to the start of the school year.
ATTENDANCE Attendance is expected at all practices and games. Absences, whenever possible, should be communicated with the coach. Excessive absences from practices can result in reduced playing time in games. On a game day, students must be in school for at least one half of their academic class load in order to be eligible to play for their team that day. Exceptions are made for students who are applying to secondary school and making school visits. A supervised study hall is available for students who have been excused from sports due to illness or injury.
MEDICAL SITUATIONS Shore has a nurse at school on a regular basis. On game days, the school nurse or an athletic trainer is on site.
Sickness/Injuries If a student is sick or injured, they can attend a supervised sports study in lieu of practice with a note from home or the school nurse. If missing more than two consecutive practices/games due to illness or injury, a doctor’s note is required. An additional note is required when the athlete is cleared to resume participation. When a student is unable to participate in the Shore sports program, it is assumed that sports participation outside of school ceases as well.
Head Injuries A student who sustains a head injury should be in contact with both the school nurse and primary care physician. A student who is diagnosed with a concussion can fully return to academics, athletics, and daily routines as usual with a signed note from a healthcare professional.
DRESS CODE The Dress Code for athletics includes Shore shorts and a Shore shirt. These items can be purchased online or at school.
EQUIPMENT and UNIFORMS Equipment needs vary for each season. Coaches will meet with students to share needs and expectations prior to each season.
Interscholastic team members will be issued a team uniform at the start of a season. Shore issued uniforms must be returned at the end of each season.
COMMUNICATION Families are strongly encouraged to utilize MyShore for information regarding team schedules and updates that occur each season. Each team has a page, which includes the game schedule, team information, and any updates that may occur.
TRANSPORTATION Bus or van transportation is provided by the school for all away games. Parents are encouraged to attend games and are welcome to drive their child home from a game.
LEADERSHIP Team captain opportunities can provide valuable leadership experience for Shore’s Upper School students. Leadership roles at the JV and Varsity level are determined by each head coach.
SPORTSMANSHIP Shore has a tradition of exemplary sportsmanship. Athletes, coaches, and spectators alike are expected to demonstrate behaviors and attitudes that show respect for the game and for others.
Follow Shore Athletics on Twitter and Instagram @scdsathletics