The Galloway School offers students the opportunity to build an appreciation and love for lifelong fitness through athletics. Through a commitment to excellence in academics, athletics and life, Galloway student-athletes learn that collaboration and fun coupled with hard work and dedication lead to personal growth and success. Our open participation policy allows every seventh- through 12th-grade student to take part in the program. Our athletics program enhances the academic experience by promoting healthy competition and physical activity while stressing sportsmanship and teamwork. The goal is to develop the student-athletes’ skills at the right pace along with other athletes of similar skill level and experience, and encourage them to strive to compete at their highest level of ability. Full commitment from the student-athletes and from their parents is essential to the success of the program.

Open Participation Policy

Seventh- through 12th-grade students who want to participate in athletics are offered a place in their sport or sports of choice. This policy offers every student, from the beginners to the more experienced, the opportunity to take part in Galloway sports. Participation does not guarantee a certain amount of playing time; however, each student who demonstrates a commitment to the sport will have a place on a team and will have an opportunity to play.

Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Requirements

Physical:

The GHSA preparticipation physical form must be filled out annually by the student’s family physician and filed with our athletic trainer before the student athlete is permitted to practice or play.

Academic standing:

Upper Learning student-athletes must pass at least five courses the semester prior to competition. In addition, Galloway teachers and coaches may restrict participation in athletics of any students deemed at risk academically.

Middle and Upper Learning Programs 

The Middle Learning program is a developmental program that enables students to explore a variety of sports and to develop as players. The emphasis is on instruction, fun, teamwork, and fair play.

In accordance with Galloway’s philosophy of meeting students where they are, certain sports will have a Blue and a Gold team in which students are grouped according to experience and skill level. At the beginning of each season, the students practice as a group. Then, numbers permitting, the players are divided into Gold and Blue teams for games and practices.

The Gold team includes the more experienced players and has a more demanding game schedule. The Blue team focuses on the basic fundamentals and plays a less demanding schedule. Every effort will be made to keep grade levels together. The rosters are somewhat fluid to allow for player movement during the season.

A. Eligibility

1. Seventh- and eighth-grade students in good academic standing with a current physical form on file are eligible.
2. Academic performance must be maintained. A student may be restricted from participation at the discretion of teachers, coaches and parents.

B. Team Placement

1. Prior to the season, a member of the athletics department visits the classrooms or town meetings to allow students to sign up for a sport.
2. Depending on numbers and on the sport, the coaches will assign placement on the Blue and Gold teams.

C. Playing Time

1. The coach determines playing time. Each student plays at some time during the season in order to develop as a player.
2. Depending on numbers, some teams will include a mix of more experienced players and beginners when there are not enough students for a Blue and a Gold team. All players will receive appropriate attention and playing opportunities.

The Upper Learning program is an open participation program that is designed to field the strongest, most competitive varsity teams possible. To achieve this goal, the varsity teams are composed of the most experienced players in the sport, and the junior varsity (JV) teams are developmental teams that stress fundamental skills and game strategies. The goal is to encourage participation and field a JV team in every sport. If there are not enough players to form a complete JV team and a complete varsity team, all students who wish to participate will play on one team. If numbers are high for a certain JV team, the students will be divided into Blue and Gold teams. The more experienced players will be placed on the Gold team as in the Middle Learning model. By providing additional teams when numbers allow, the program gives each student a chance to participate at the appropriate level and grow as an athlete with the goal of either reaching the varsity level or simply playing to enjoy the sport.

A. Eligibility

1. Ninth- through 12th-grade students who meet both GHSA requirements are eligible. Galloway can deem a student ineligible to play if the student is determined at risk academically.
2. Eighth-grade students who meet the prior eligibility requirement may play on JV teams at the discretion of the athletic director and the coaches.

B. Team Placement

1. Prior to the season, a member of the athletics department visits the classrooms or town meetings to allow students to sign up for a sport.
2. Coaches determine placement on varsity and JV teams (Blue and Gold if available).
3. Varsity players are the most experienced players that meet the position needs of the team regardless of grade level.

C. Playing Time

1. The coach determines playing time. Each student will have the opportunity to play based on skill and commitment.
2. Absence from practice is grounds for not starting or playing in the next game at the discretion of the coach.
3. Many Upper Learning teams have additional camps and tournaments over holidays and summer break. Participation in those events is considered when team placement is determined.