Upper School Athletics

The Athletic Handbook (which is posted on this Web site) has complete information about the physical education program at Bullis as well as athletic eligibility standards. The philosophy of the Athletic Department is directly related to the mission statement of the school. The Athletic Department offers programs that foster the same values of integrity, respect, responsibility and participation that are embodied in the classroom. An experienced coaching staff fosters a positive attitude about learning and challenges our athletes to achieve their highest potential in all aspects of their development. Participation is an integral part of the athletic philosophy at both the Middle and Upper School levels. The Athletic Department feels that all students should have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics at some level during their high school years. The lessons learned from athletic participation are invaluable and help in the overall development of the individual. Lessons in sportsmanship, teamwork, competition and how to win and lose gracefully are an integral part of each team in our athletic department. Athletic participation plays an important role in helping the individual student develop a healthy self-image, as well as a healthy body. In addition, participation on interscholastic teams adds to school spirit and helps all students and spectators, as well as participants, develop pride in their school.

Physical Education:

All Upper School students must participate in two sports/activities each year. For freshmen and sophomores, at least one activity must be as a player or manager in an interscholastic sport. The other can be through participation in a school drama production, as a yearbook editor, tech editor for the yearbook or newspaper. Students are strongly encouraged to fill the first part of this requirement during the fall term. Freshmen are required to participate in a fall extracurricular activity at school.

Guidelines for Students who Commit to Athletic Teams, a Theatrical Production, or the Yearbook:

  1. Once a student has committed to a team or arts production after one week of practice or games when school is in session, he or she is required to fulfill his or her obligation for the entire term in order to receive credit.
  2. If, for some reason, a student decides to stop participating in a committed sport or play (or if the student is removed from a team), he or she will not be permitted to join or participate in any other sport or arts production for the duration of the term.
  3. Failure to fulfill his or her first commitment, regardless of the timing (beginning, middle or end of a term), will result in a loss of athletic credit for that term.
  4. The director of athletics will have the final say in determining athletic credit.

Students receive a pass or fail grade that appears on their permanent record cards. A failing grade in physical education is made up after consulting with the principal and the athletic director.

Students with medical concerns must have their situations reviewed by the director of athletics.

Attendance Requirement for Participation in School Activities

Participation in after-school activities requires school attendance. If a student is absent for no more than two blocks with a legitimate excused absence (see Attendance Policy), he or she may participate in after-school activities on that day. This policy is subject to the discretion of the director of athletics and the dean of students.

Transportation

The school provides transportation for athletic events. Whenever school transportation is provided, students must travel to and from events with their group unless parents have made prior arrangements with the Director of Athletics or Principal. In no case is a student allowed to make his or her own arrangements with a coach.

If parents are in attendance at away games, their son/daughter may ride home with them or with another player’s parents with permission. At no time are students to ride home with other students.

Sports and Extra-curricular Activities

The following sports and activities are offered to Upper School students. Students interested in joining a team should contact the appropriate coach or teacher.

Fall Sports
Varsity Cross Country (boys and girls)
Varsity and J.V. Football (boys)
*Varsity and J.V. Soccer (boys and girls)
Varsity and J.V. Field Hockey (girls)
*Varsity and J.V. Tennis (girls)

Fall Activities
*Fall Play: Cast
*Fall Play: Tech Crew
*Newspaper Editor
*Yearbook Editor

Winter Sports
*Varsity and J.V. Basketball (boys)
*Varsity and J.V. Basketball (girls)
Varsity and J.V. Wrestling (boys)
Swimming (boys and girls)
Ice Hockey (boys)
*Modern Dance

Winter Activities
*Winter Musical: Cast
*Winter Musical: Tech Crew
*Winter Musical: Pit Orchestra
*Newspaper Editor
*Yearbook Editor
*Art: Open Studio

Spring Sports
Varsity and J.V. Baseball (boys)
*Varsity and J.V. Golf (coed)
Varsity and J.V. Lacrosse (boys and girls)
Varsity and J.V. Softball (girls)
*Varsity and J.V. Tennis (boys)
Varsity Track and Field (boys and girls)

Spring Activities
*Curtains Up! Cast
*Curtains Up! Tech Crew
*Logos
*Newspaper Editor
*Yearbook Editor

*Teams/activities that have limits on numbers. Any team may make cuts if numbers are too large.

In special circumstances, physical education/activity credit may be granted for out-of-school activities for one trimester only per year, at the discretion of the athletic directors. Occasionally a very talented dancer or horseback rider will receive credit for an off-campus training program, as will an athlete who is competitive at the national level in an individual (not team) sport.

  1. The activity must be physical in nature.
  2. Work with a personal trainer does not qualify for credit, nor does participation on a club or AAU team.
  3. The activity time commitment should be commensurate with on-campus athletics activities, which average 8 to 10 hours per week.
  4. The activity must have a qualified coach or instructor.
  5. A request for credit for out-of-school activity must be received no later than one month prior to the start of the corresponding sports season. For a fall request the deadline is August 1, winter is October 1 and spring is February 1.
  6. All freshmen are required to participate in a fall extracurricular activity at school.
  7. Before credit can be granted for approved out-of-school activities, a formal evaluation signed by the coach or instructor must be submitted to the Athletic Department at the end of the season.

Evaluation: Students are evaluated by the directors of the activities in which they participate. Each student is graded on a yearly basis, not by trimester, on a pass/fail system based on:

  1. Meeting the two-activity requirement.
  2. Successfully meeting the requirements for their chosen activities as set forth by the directors or coaches. Failures can only be made up after consultation with the principal and athletic director.