Lower School
Lower School athletic offerings are introductory in nature. They provide lower school students an opportunity to experiment with sports they may enjoy and have an early experience being on a school team. Emphasis in all lower school offerings will be on learning fundamental skills, how to be a good teammate, and having fun. While some competitive situations are provided, the focus will always remain on having a positive experience, rather than the outcome of a particular game.
Middle School
Middle School athletic offerings remain developmental in nature but increase in scope and competitiveness. Coaches maintain a strong emphasis on fundamental skill acquisition and technique in a fun, motivational environment. They also begin introducing sport-specific tactics and IQ to their players. When numbers allow, there are both A and B teams provided for student-athletes. This supports our no-cut policy. AOA's core values of creativity, community, leadership, global awareness, and diversity are also supported in the middle school athletic experience.
Playing Time
While playing time on 'B' teams will be very close to equal for all players, 'A' teams will be at the coach's discretion. Over the course of an entire season, all players will have experienced adequate playing time.
Upper School
Upper School athletics provides opportunities for students in grades 9-12 to enjoy a quality sporting experience during their high school years at AOA. Where numbers allow, there are both JV and Varsity levels in a given sport. This supports our no-cut policy. JV teams play a reduced schedule that attempts to provide appropriate competition and tend to be for younger upper school students. Varsity teams seek to be compete a high level in both conference and non-conference play. Varsity coach's expect a significant commitment from student-athletes on these teams. While this commitment can be a challenge to balance in a student-athlete's life at times due to the academic rigor at AOA, the time management skills learned through varsity athletic participation will be a benefit that is life-long.
Playing Time
Playing time on both JV and Varsity teams in the upper school will be at the coach's discretion. Questions about playing time should be addressed in the following manner.
1. Student-athlete seeks a respectful conversation with the coach
2. Student-athlete and parent(s) seek a respectful conversation with the coach
3. Student-athlete and parent(s) and coach seek a respectful conversation with the AD