Athletics

Capacities for Life Long Health

Movement and physical activity improve brain development, academic performance, social emotional health, confidence and collaborative capacities – all building blocks for life-long health!

Hartsbrook believes that this important aspect of development should not be relegated to only gym classes and after school sports. Our developmental curriculum includes a robust athletics program but also includes movement in the classrooms, collaborative games, meaningful work and outdoor adventures.  Time outdoors is a norm, not an extra.

Movement is an Integral Part of Waldorf Education

Movement Grades 1-4

Students do not spend all day behind desks at Hartsbrook!  In the early grades, lessons are taught with clapping, stomping and moving rhythms that keep a class focused and learning. Teachers can and do take their lessons outdoors. Regular games classes emphasize imagination, social skills, and fun.

From impromptu walks to farm chores, to outdoor adventures, including hiking, skating, canoeing, cycling and skiing, Hartsbrook’s curriculum blends indoor and outdoor learning.

Movement Grades 5-8

In Grades 5-8 physical activity throughout the day, not just after school, is particularly important to support brain development, academic performance and behavioral health in a classroom.

Adventures that progress with age and skill – hiking, skating, archery, canoeing, cave exploration, ropes courses, rock climbing, orienteering, cycling, skiing – all find their way into the curriculum. Students often work outside and take greater responsibly for farm chores and campus projects. The fifth grade train for a regional Olympic Pentathlon- testing their javelin, discus and running skills. The sixth grade tests their archery and strategy skills at the regional Medieval Games.

Team sports start in fifth grade with a focus on teamwork, skills development and the fun of learning new sports!  Many students join the ski club.

Movement Grades 9-12

Sports at this age focuses on conditioning, discipline, sportsmanship and the joy of heathy competition.

High school students are required to participate in at least one sport, and the vast majority of students play fall, winter, and/or spring sports, which include soccer, basketball, and ultimate. The Hartsbrook varsity soccer team has played in the league championships each of the last seven years, and the varsity Ultimate Frisbee team has advanced three years in a row to the state championships. Many of the teams that have advanced to these positions have been co-ed teams.

Our ski club is a popular Friday elective in winter, and students may also elect to row in fall and spring with Hampshire Crew or to take athletic or movement courses for credit outside Hartsbrook.

Athletics and After School Sports

Our Approach

Hartsbrook Athletics emphasizes conditioning, sportsmanship, skills, and the pure joy of enjoying a sport!  Starting in 5th grade we offer a robust athletics program that is a mix of intramurals, travel teams, varsity teams and clubs. Many programs are mixed genders.

Our Success

Students who have grown up with plenty of ways to strengthen and test their bodies, tend to have a natural athleticism. Even when we are one of the smaller teams, our athletes hold their own with grace and athleticism.

The Hartsbrook varsity soccer team has played in the league championships each of the last seven years, and the varsity Ultimate Frisbee team has advanced three years in a row to the state championships. Many of the teams that have advanced to these positions have been co-ed teams.

Our Coaching

Our coaches are focused on helping students develop a healthy relationship to sports that will serve them for life – striving for personal excellence, celebrating everyone’s victories, and knowing how to dig into competitions with joy!

Joining

Students are encouraged to join Hartsbrook’s team sports starting in the spring of 5th grade and participation in at least one sport is required in High School. There are no tryouts or cuts. At this age students have the capacities to enjoy healthy competition and are ready to dig into new skills.

Fall

-Middle School Soccer
-Varsity Soccer
-Middle School Cross Country
-Varsity Cross Country

Winter

-Hartsbrook Ski Program
Grades 2 and up

-Basketball – combined upper Middle and High School

Spring

-Intramurals Ultimate Frisbee
-Middle School Ultimate Frisbee
-Varsity Ultimate Frisbee

Our League

Hartsbrook is a member of the River Valley Athletic League, which is comprised of independent schools in the greater Pioneer Valley region who share a common interest in healthy competition and sportsmanship. In addition to our sports programs,