Middle School

Athletics

Three seasons. Three sports. One big leap forward

Middle School is where athletics gets real. Students don't just try sports, they commit to them. Three seasons a year, every year. Fall, winter, spring. This is where playing becomes competing, and where good habits turn into real skill.

You'll play. All three seasons

At Highland, Middle School athletics isn't optional. Every student plays a sport each season: fall, winter, and spring.

That's by design. Trying something new three times a year teaches something a single season can't: how to commit. How to push through a tough practice. How to balance a game schedule with homework and get both done. By eighth grade, the rhythm isn't a chore. It's who they are.

A team for every stage of growth

No two athletes develop at the same pace. So we don't make them. Highland runs three team levels, and each one meets a student exactly where they are. The A team is for students ready to compete against other competitive Middle School teams. The bar is high, playing time is earned, and the goal is clear: get ready for Upper School athletics.

Our B teams are intended for students sharpening their skills and learning team concepts. Everyone competes. Everyone plays in games. Basics come first, and playing time is shared as evenly as possible.

Pick a sport. Then pick another

Three seasons mean three chances to grow, and plenty of ways to do it. Click on the expanding boxes below to see what Middle School sports are offered by season:

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Meet Our Team

List of 2 members.

Reynolds Oare 00

Associate Athletic Director
Hannah Preston

Physical Education

Middle School sports by season:

List of 3 items.

Fall

Conditioning, Boys' Soccer, Field Hockey, Girls' Volleyball, Tennis
Winter

Boys' Basketball, Girls' Basketball, Conditioning, Swimming, Cheerleading
Spring

Baseball, Boys' Lacrosse, Girls' Soccer, Girls' Lacrosse, Tennis, Conditioning

Some students stick with one sport and chase mastery. Others try something new each season. Both paths build the same thing: a stronger, more confident athlete. Eighth graders have the option to play varsity or junior varsity sports in the Upper School if roster positions are available or if the student demonstrates exceptional skill and commitment.

Winning matters. How you win matters more

As students grow, the competition gets sharper. So does the lesson behind it.

Middle School athletes learn to compete hard and carry themselves well, to win without gloating, and lose without quitting. They learn respect for teammates, opponents, officials, and the game itself. Sportsmanship here isn't a poster on the wall. It's a daily expectation. That's the part that lasts long after the final score is forgotten.

Built to prepare them for what's next

Everything about Middle School athletics points toward the Upper School.

The skills get more technical. The strategy gets deeper. Students learn the tactical concepts that varsity coaches expect. The goal? When they step onto an Upper School field, they're ready, not rattled. By the time they leave Middle School, the question isn't whether they can compete. It's how far they'll go.

See it for yourself

The best way to understand Middle School athletics is to watch our teams in action. Come visit, meet our coaches, and picture your child on the field.