Athletics By Division
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Lower School Athletics
Lower School boys in grades 4-5 participate in a one-hour sports block each full school day. Teacher-coaches guide them in play that aims to move their bodies, to build camaraderie and teamwork among the grades, and to help them develop an understanding of -- and even comfort with -- a multitude of games and traditional sports. Newcomb, kickball, “Capture the Ball,” tag, tennis baseball, soccer, and football are but a few of the activities that keep our youngest students challenged during rotations of Fenn athletics.
During the winter, Lower School boys also enjoy participating in a Fenn ice skating program that is geared toward structured free skating with games and individual instruction. The fourth and fifth grades are split into manageable skating groups and follow a schedule that enables each group to skate for 5-7 days. Boys are transported via Fenn minibus to the Middlesex School ice rink for this sports activity.
Wintertime also features a fifth grade "Insect League" basketball tournament that enables our oldest Lower School boys to flex or try on their basketball skills in a fun and engaging schedule of games among their peers.
Middle School Athletics
Middle School students in grades 6-7 begin playing Fenn’s traditional sports, and each student is able to choose the sports that he would like to pursue each season. An hour-long block is dedicated to sports practice each full school day, which is supplemented by an abbreviated schedule of competitive games against peer schools. Home and away games take place at the end of the school day.
Students may choose to pursue Outdoor Adventure programming as an alternative to a traditional sport for one of the three seasons.
Seventh graders may also try out for Upper School sports teams with parental permission, and it is not uncommon for talented seventh grade athletes to earn a position on a junior varsity or varsity team.
In the winter, squash is offered to Middle School students who choose not to play basketball, ice hockey, or wrestling. This is the second year of a pilot program and will again take place at Squashwest in Acton, MA. Students use their sports time working on gameplay and technique from professional coaches on site.
Upper School Athletics
All Upper School students in grades 8-9 compete on interscholastic teams and try out for the team of their choosing each season. (Seventh grade athletes are also welcome to try out for Upper School teams.) Three levels of competition accommodate players at all skill levels, and teams are small enough to ensure that all boys are active players.
Practices and games for Upper School teams commence at the end of the academic day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Athletes on Upper School teams are also required to participate in a physical fitness program offered by a personal trainer on Tuesday afternoons. All Upper Schoolers are also invited to participate, if they wish, even if they do not play on a varsity team.
Students are required to participate in two seasons of traditional sports each school year. Two alternatives also exist for students for one of the three sports seasons -- Outdoor Adventure programming or a Sports Alternative that enables a student to pursue a sport or activity not currently offered at Fenn (e.g. competitive swimming, squash, etc.). Students who are interested in pursuing the Sports Alternative must complete an application for consideration by the Athletic Department and Fenn administration.