Lower School students participate in an active  physical education program that stresses mastery of a sequence of developmentally appropriate skills and emphasizes teamwork. 

Younger  students play cooperative games and work to develop fundamental movement skills, balance, and eye-hand coordination. Older students develop skills in specific sports like soccer, field hockey, and basketball, preparing them  for participation in the Middle School athletics  program. Health and wellness are specifically  taught in grade 5, but they are also discussed, taught, and applied throughout the year in the entire Lower School physical education program. All grades meet two times per week for PE except Nature Nursery which meets once per week.  

Lower School students do not participate on official teams, but they enjoy exploring a wide range of sports and movement-based activities. We also offer after-school auxiliary programs that provide additional athletic opportunities, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more. Click here to learn more about those programs. 

All children, regardless of skill level, have an equal opportunity to participate in a fun and safe environment in order to develop an enjoyment of physical activity, movement exploration, and cooperative play, with the following goals in mind:

• Development of gross and fine motor skills, balance, hand-eye/foot-eye coordination, sense of personal space, spacial awareness, body awareness and positive conflict resolution are of primary importance.
• Inclusion, creativity, listening and social skills, self-esteem, and taking on new challenges are stressed as important to develop positive health attitudes and behaviors.
• As students get older (or in grades 3-5), individual and team sport skills and strategies are introduced, and students are encouraged to develop good sportsmanship, cooperation, and teamwork.

Students in grades 4 and 5 are benefitting from an updated health program, with the goal of developing positive feelings around the changes they are experiencing. Additional Physical Education options like yoga and meditation are introduced as early as Kindergarten.

Friends’ Central Middle School athletics provide students in grades 6–8 with opportunities to develop skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a supportive and engaging environment. Students may participate in interscholastic sports, with practices scheduled during the last period of the school day and games held after 3:10 pm, while those not on teams engage in a variety of active wellness activities. Our program emphasizes personal growth, healthy competition, and collaboration, helping students build confidence both on and off the field as they prepare for the Upper School athletic experience.

Friends’ Central offers both interscholastic and intramural options in our Middle School athletic program beginning in grade 6. Student-athletes can hone their sport while learning sportsmanship, team-building, and commitment. Athletic practices are  held during the last period of the school day, and  games are scheduled after 3:10 pm, usually on  Mondays or Wednesdays. Middle School students  not participating in interscholastic sports select  from a number of active wellness activities.  

Exemption from Middle School athletics is only considered for students who participate at a high level in an athletic activity we do not offer in any season at Friends’ Central or have an injury or medical condition that has been diagnosed by a (non-parent/caregiver) medical professional. This does not require an exemption form, but it does require a recent note from the doctor.

When numbers and coaching personnel allow, the school may offer both Travel (Interscholastic) and Developmental (Intramural) teams. Team offerings and skill levels may vary by sport and season. Across all teams, player development—both athletic skill and character—is a central focus of the program.

Most Middle School sports will hold tryouts. Rosters are determined by skill level, and some sports have limited roster sizes (e.g., tennis). Students who do not make a team are encouraged to try another sport or participate in seasonal intramural offerings.

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cross Country
• Dance & Yoga
• Field Hockey
• Flag Football
• Function & Strength
• Lacrosse
• Outdoor Games
• Pickleball
• Soccer
• Softball
• Squash
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Play Time on Travel (Interscholastic) Teams
On Travel teams, playing and practice time may be limited and not equal, at the coaches’ discretion. Playing time is earned through effort, engagement in practice, coachability, skill level, and understanding of team play. While playing time in every game is not guaranteed, coaches work to provide meaningful opportunities for all athletes over the course of the season.

Playing Time on Developmental/Intramural 
On Developmental or Intramural teams, coaches work intentionally to provide equal playing and practice time. Athletes who demonstrate consistent effort and engagement in practice will participate in all games, with opportunities to rotate positions or participate in match play as appropriate.

Playing Up (Upper School Teams)
At Friends’ Central School, our athletics program is guided by the belief that students learn best when they are appropriately challenged and supported in ways that honor their academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being. Our philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole child, thoughtful decision-making, and alignment with Friends’ values of care, reflection, and responsibility.

The Middle School athletics program is designed specifically for Middle School students. In rare circumstances, and consistent with Friends’ Central School’s commitment to placing students in the most appropriate and rigorous educational experiences in academics, the arts, and athletics, an exceptional Middle School student may request permission to “play up” on an Upper School team. Students in seventh grade and below are not eligible to participate on Upper School varsity teams.

Middle School students, who wish to try out for an Upper School team must follow the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook. Students may not report to any Upper School practices or competitions until participation has been formally approved by the Director of Middle School and the Director of Athletics.

Permission to play up is granted infrequently, and only when the following conditions are met:

• If the sport is offered at the Middle School level, the student must demonstrate the ability to be a meaningful and consistent contributor at the varsity level.
• If the sport is not offered at the Middle School level, the student must demonstrate the ability to participate appropriately on the designated Upper School team.
• Final determination regarding a student’s placement on a varsity team rests at the discretion of the varsity head coach in consultation with the Director of Athletics and Wellness and the  Middle School Principal. They must agree that participation serves the student’s overall development, does not negatively impact the student’s social, emotional, academic, or physical well-being, and is appropriate given the composition and needs of the Upper School team. 

Any Middle School student participating on an Upper School athletic team will be placed on academic and disciplinary monitoring. Participation may be suspended at any time if deemed necessary by the Director of Athletics or the Director of Middle School, in keeping with Friends’ Central School’s commitment to balance, care, and student well-being.

In determining eligibility for Upper School participation, the Director of Middle School will consider:

• Academic performance
• Social maturity
• Emotional maturity

The Director of Athletics will consider:

• Composition and needs of the Upper School team
• Athletic ability of the student
• The student’s overall athletic development

This process reflects Friends’ Central School’s belief that athletic participation should enhance, not compromise, a student’s growth, integrity, and experience within the school community.

Middle School athletics are grounded in Quaker values and emphasize community, equity, responsibility, and respect—for oneself, teammates, opponents, and the game. Coaches intentionally create inclusive and supportive environments where students are encouraged to take risks, learn from mistakes, and grow through effort and reflection. Success is measured not only by performance, but by personal development, resilience, and a willingness to learn and improve as part of a team.

Our wellness program engages students in a comprehensive, student-centered exploration of physical, mental, social, spiritual, and digital health. The program enhances their critical thinking skills and fosters wise decision-making. Through interdisciplinary connections, real-world relevance, technology integration, and the guiding principles of Quaker values, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness necessary to care for themselves and contribute positively to their communities in an increasingly complex world.