Middle School Athletics

GA strives to accommodate every student who wishes to play a specific sport. Depending on the number of participants, teams may be divided into varsity, JV, and/or 3rd teams. In squash, tennis, and basketball, it is sometimes necessary to limit roster sizes. In such cases, students will have the opportunity to switch to another sport, or, depending on interest and space availability, GA may offer alternatives to our interscholastic sports program.   

Our Middle School program takes a developmentally appropriate, flexible approach to team placement based on participation numbers for each sport each year. We look at the composition of teams and approach athletes as individuals.  

Typically, GA will offer different competitive levels for each sport to provide student-athletes with appropriate training and playing time at their respective skill level within their division, regardless of grade level, while always keeping a student’s social development and safety in mind. Our coaches will place athletes on the Middle School team that will best foster their athletic growth and skill development.  

In the Middle School, all athletes will have a regular opportunity to compete, but equal playing time may not be possible in all sports at all levels. 

Pick-Up Arrangements for Middle School Sports 

Germantown Academy offers a robust Middle School athletic program for Middle School students and takes a developmentally appropriate, flexible approach to placing students on athletic teams within their division. However, in order to provide student-athletes with training and playing time at their respective skill level, exceptional athletes may request to be considered for a roster spot on an Upper School varsity team.  

Such permission is only given in exceptional circumstances and the following must be true: 

• The student-athlete is currently enrolled in eighth grade.

• The student-athlete is in good academic standing and embodies GA’s Community Commitments.

• The student-athlete must demonstrate the ability to be a starter on the Upper School varsity team

• The Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of Athletics for Middle School, Upper School varsity coach, Head of Middle School, and eighth grade Head Advisor must agree that approval is in the student’s overall best interest and will not have an adverse effect on their social, emotional, academic, or physical well-being

If approved, the student must maintain their academic performance and community standing. Permission may be suspended should it be deemed necessary for the well-being of the student by the Director of Athletics and the Head of Middle School.   

Families must be aware of current Inter-Ac and PIAA policies, which often change. If they transfer schools after participating at the varsity level, they may lose a year of eligibility in that sport.   

Regarding overnight trips, special accommodations (such as requiring a parent/guardian to travel with the MS student) may be required to allow a MS student to participate, depending on the nature and length of the trip and accommodations available.  

In order to be considered, requests must be sent to the Director of Athletics AND Assistant Director of Athletics - Middle School four weeks prior to the start of the Middle School athletics season. 

In addition to opportunities for competition, Germantown Academy recognizes that certain Middle School student-athletes may benefit from exposure to Upper School varsity practices in order to further their athletic growth. In exceptional circumstances, Upper School varsity coaches may request for student-athletes to attend practices and/or team workouts with the Upper School varsity team.

Such permission is only given in exceptional circumstances and the following must be true:

• The student-athlete continues to practice with and compete for their Middle School team.
• The student athlete has demonstrated the readiness and maturity necessary to train at the varsity level, will contribute meaningfully to varsity practices, and can participate safely with Upper School students. 
• The student-athlete is in good academic standing and embodies GA’s Community Commitments.
• The Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of Athletics for Middle School, Upper School varsity coach, Head of Middle School, and Head Advisor must agree that approval is in the student’s overall best interest and will not have an adverse effect on their social, emotional, academic, or physical well-being.

If approved, the student must maintain their academic performance and community standing. Permission may be suspended should it be deemed necessary for the well-being of the student by the Director of Athletics and the Head of Middle School.

Participation in practices does not equate to or guarantee placement on a varsity roster in Upper School. Families should be aware that practice participation is subject to schedule and roster management needs and may be limited at the discretion of the varsity coach and/or athletic administration.