One of the defining features of Seven Hills is an inclusive approach to athletics. We feel strongly that though natural athletic talent may vary widely, we want to provide a robust athletics experience for anyone who wants to play. Though participation in the school’s athletic programs is optional, we take great pride in the fact that, year after year, at least 80% of our age-eligible students choose to play in at least one season. Accordingly, we field a great many teams in most major sports so that students can participate at the appropriate skill level.

We also believe that our athletic program, like all other areas of school operation, should be guided by our core values, values like striving for excellence, personal responsibility and accountability, commitment to community, honesty and integrity, and diversity and inclusion.

One expression of this philosophy is our burgeoning relationship with the Positive Coaching Alliance, a national organization that provides training for athletes and coaches designed to foster a more positive and inclusive atmosphere on competitive teams.

As part of this effort, this past week, all of our Upper School spring student-athletes participated in an hour-long workshop called “Becoming a Triple Impact Competitor: Making myself better, making my teammates better, making the game better.” This interactive workshop is designed to equip athletes with strategies to help them to make the best of their sports experience. By focusing on effort, positive emotional reinforcement, and responses to their failures and mistakes, athletes learn to improve their own performance and to become effective teammates.

In addition, over the past couple of seasons, our coaching staff has participated in several workshops focused on how to create a positive, character-building environment on teams and how to inculcate life lessons as athletes build skills in their sport.

Thank you to Scott Willard, our director of athletics, for introducing this valuable program.  

Christopher P. Garten
Head of School