What league does Seattle Academy Athletics belong to?
What Sports does Seattle Academy Offer?
What is the difference between a turnout and a tryout?
Can you explain how the school names the different teams?
Structure and Philosophy of team placements?
What forms are required to play?
What is the time commitment for each team?
What is impact testing and who is required to be tested?
What will my child need to bring to practice?
What does my child do at the end of the school day?
How does my child get to and from the practice location?
Where do I pick up my child after practice?
Where can I find my child's team schedule?
Can sports participation count towards my PE credits?
But, wait! I have more questions!
The Seattle Academy Upper School is a member of the Emerald City 1A League, consisting of Class A schools assigned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) District #2. League membership establishes guidelines and regulations for scheduling games and practices, equalizes competition, conducts league meetings as well as determines championships and advancement to seeded allotments in the district tournaments. The league provides Seattle Academy the opportunity for competition with schools of similar size, location, and programs. Membership requires that participating schools abide by all league rules and regulations.
The Middle School programs compete in the Cross Town Middle School League.
We have three seasons in Athletics. Visit our Sports page for more information on season and team offerings.
Seattle Academy has a “no-cut” policy. Therefore, we use the term “turnout” rather than “tryout.” If a student wants to participate and meets the team expectation, there will be a team available to them. Our goal is to provide the best experience for each one of our student-athletes.
In the Middle School we use our school colors; red, black, grey, white and sometimes yellow to help distinguish our teams. In the Upper School, we use more traditional names such as Varsity, JV, JVC, or Freshman.
We are proud that a high number of students participate in our athletic program each year. We have both a "no-cut" participation program and top-level teams that win state championships, balancing both participation and excellence. We emphasize the development of athletic skill in a natural and individualized progression, which allows athletes of all levels to participate fully and benefit from their involvement in sports.
By Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) requirements, student athletes must have had a physical to participate in sports activities. The School Preparticipation History and Physical Exam form must be signed by the student’s doctor and filed with the school before the student can be eligible to participate in practices and games. Physicals are valid for 24 months. A completed Head Injury Form and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form are also required each year for ALL student athletes. All health forms are available on our secure, online student medical record database Magnus Health.
Each team level has a different time commitment.
Upper School Varsity teams meet to practice and/or compete five and sometimes six days a week. Other Upper School teams (JV, JVC, etc.) will have days off each week.
Middle School teams meet to practice and/or compete 3 to 4 times a week.
The school conducts impact testing on all Upper School athletes in high impact sports such as basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. The test provides a baseline comparison for each athlete.The test is completed on campus by our athletic trainer at no cost to families.
Students will want to bring clothes they can move in – shorts, shirts, and appropriate shoes for their sport (running shoes, cleats, court shoes, spikes). Their sport may also require things like shin guards for soccer or knee pads for volleyball, and they will want those too. A water bottle and snacks are also good things to pack as well as warmer clothes for those sports taking place outside – sweatshirt, sweatpants. Since there is always the chance of rain, packing a garbage bag they can throw their gear into can save you from finding a bag full of wet, stinky, clothes!
Students will be issued uniforms from the Athletic Department. Uniforms should be washed and returned at the end of each season.
Each Middle School sports team is assigned a room to meet after school. Rooms will be assigned and shared with students the first week of athletics. At 3:00, students should grab their gear, get changed in the restrooms and then head to their assigned room.
Upper School students should get changed for practice and then meet their bus and coach at an assigned location on the 12th ave block.
Each team will be transported to and from their practice location by a school bus. Middle school teams will walk with their coach to their assigned bus. If the location is close, teams will walk to the practice site with their coach.
Students will be dropped off at the 16th St Lot. If practice was in the SAAS Gym for safety reasons, we ask that parents pull into the gym garage to pick up their child. We promise this doesn’t take long and is a lot safer then stopping traffic on Spring Street, or having your child run across the street into traffic.
If you would prefer, you can pick up your child from the practice site instead. Just be sure to note the practice “end time,” rather than “return time.” If you do choose to pick up your child from the practice site, please be on time. Our coaches and bus cannot leave your child by themselves at the site and waiting a long time for one child means a bus load of children will be late getting back to school. If you are later than 5 minutes past the time the team is ready to leave, we will call you to let you know that we are taking your child back to school with the rest of the team for you to pick them up at school.
For Seattle Academy sports team news, roster, and schedule visit our Team pages.
Upper School students can earn PE credit through sports participation on Seattle Academy teams. They can earn 1 credit for each sports season. In order to receive a credit, students must fulfill a 75% participation rate requirement. Club activities, such as squash or fitness, do not earn PE credit. Students who wish to earn PE credit through sports participation at other schools must obtain approval from the PE Department Chair and Director of Student Services prior to participation.
The Community Chest provides financial aid to students who need support to participate in school activities, including athletics, that are not covered by tuition, fees or existing financial aid awards. Examples of Community Chest support for athletics might include financial aid to purchase team t-shirts/sweatshirts, sports equipment such as cleats, sports camps held at SAAS, etc.
Please visit our Athletics Directory for more contact information.