Middle School Athletics | Private School in Massachusetts

Athletics Philosophy

Athletics are more than games in the Middle School. They promote physical exercise, encourage healthy competition, and teach boys how to be gracious regardless of the outcome of the game. Sports create lasting friendships forged through the pursuit of a common goal--and give boys the chance to explore who they are through hard work, physical exertion, and emotional investment. Above all, athletics provide us with an opportunity to teach fairness, respect, and responsibility.

In the Middle School, fun and sportsmanship are the guiding principles of our athletic programs. Our “no-cut” policy in these grades ensures boys have the opportunity to learn and develop skills in their chosen sport. Team sports allow boys to exercise their bodies as well as their minds, and help them develop skill and confidence. And whether a boy scores the winning goal, makes the assist, or tries something totally new, he enjoys his athletic experience.

Our Program

Athletics are an integral and required part of the educational experience. We offer 16 team and individual sports at the interscholastic, intramural, and recreational levels in the fall, winter, and spring. From mountain biking to sailing, hockey, soccer, football, basketball, and many more, our offerings for Middle School boys are unparalleled.

In the Middle School, we don’t hold tryouts. Boys who have never strapped on skates are invited to get on the ice and play hockey—or hop on a bike, kick a soccer ball, and pick up a tennis racket. In fact, we often create teams to accommodate each boy who wants to play a given sport.

At the beginning of each season, boys have the opportunity to try different sports before choosing one sport. And our coaches are also teachers, administrators, and dorm parents—so they understand these boys’ development and know how to best support individual students.

Offerings

Our diverse athletic offerings change seasonally, giving boys the chance to participate in a wide variety of sports.

The following is an overview of every athletic offering (organized by season) available to students at Fessenden in Grades 5-6. Each boy must make one choice from each season for his athletic requirement. For the latest team news, visit our scoreboard page. For detailed team and schedule information, visit our team pages.

Fall Sports: Grades 5-6

List of 5 items.

Club Flag Football

Developmental flag football program for 5th and 6th graders geared towards attaining fundamental skills. Weekly “Red and Gray” intramural games highlight this program.
Cross Country

Competitive team for boys in grades 5-9. Workouts stress individual improvement and meet strategy. 9 meets against other schools.
FIAA Tennis

Intramural program for grades 5-9. Emphasis on fun recreational tennis for all levels on our thirteen courts.
Mountain Biking

Daily travel off campus to dirt and paved trails near by. Grades 5-9 (with priority going to upper school boys in grades 7-9). We transport bikes in a trailer to the various locations. This program is also offered in the Spring.
Soccer

J.V. “B” Soccer - Competitive program for all 6th graders. Extensive thirteen game schedule versus other schools as well as Red & Gray games. Strong fundamental skill development and game experience.

5th Grade Soccer - Competitive program for all 5th graders. Schedule includes both games with other schools and Red & Gray contests. Emphasis on fundamental skill development and game experience.

Winter Sports: Grades 5-6

List of 5 items.

Basketball

J.V. “B” Basketball - Competitive team for all 6th graders who wish to play. They play games against other schools and intramural Red & Gray contests. The emphasis here is on basic skill development and game experience.

5th Grade Basketball - Competitive team for all 5th graders who wish to play. They play a combination of games against other schools and Red & Gray intramural contests. This team will emphasize basic skill development and fundamentals.
Cross-Country Skiing

This recreational program is open to boys in grades 5-9 and includes daily travel to the Weston Ski Track. Extra fee charged.
Hockey

J.V. “B” Hockey - ompetitive team made up of 5th and 6th graders. They play weekly Red & Gray contests. Emphasis on skill development and game experience.

FIAA Hockey - Intramural program for grades 7-9. Emphasis on fun and improving skills for the less skilled player.
Wrestling

J.V. Wrestling - Competitive team for boys in grades 5-6. Emphasis is placed on developing fundamental skills, conditioning, and match experience. Their schedule will include matches against other schools (including the Fay Tournament) and Red and Gray meets.
Squash

Varsity/J.V. Squash - Two competitive teams that have matches against other schools. Boys play on both on and off campus courts and work on fundamental skills and match strategy.

FIAA Squash - Depending on the numbers there will be one or two intramural teams (a Middle and Upper School team). Emphasis on fundamental skill development and match strategy.

Spring Sports: Grades 5-6

List of 6 items.

Baseball

J.V. “B” Baseball - Competitive team made up of all 6th graders. They play a strong schedule against other schools and Red & Gray intramural contests. Skill development and game experience stressed.

5th Grade Baseball - Competitive team made up of all 5th graders. They play games against other schools as well as Red & Gray intramural contests. Fundamental skills and game strategies are stressed.
Lacrosse

J.V. "B" Lacrosse - Competitive team for all 5th and 6th graders that wish to play. They play a combination of games against other schools and Red & Gray intramural contests. Emphasis on fundamental skill development and game experience.
Tennis

Varsity Tennis - A very strong team for superior players in grades 5-9. A challenging schedule of 13 matches and one tournament make up their season. Team size limitations.

J.V. “A” Tennis - A strong competitive team for skilled players made up of boys in grades 5-9. They play a challenging 10 match schedule. Team size limitations.

J.V. "B" Tennis - A competitive team made of boys in grades 5-9. They play a 9 match schedule and stress fundamental skill development and match experience.

FIAA Tennis - Intramural program for grades 5-9. Emphasis on fun recreational tennis for players at all levels.
Track & Field

Varsity/J.V. Track - Competitive program for boys in grades 5-9. Extensive 12 meet (plus The Milton Invitational) schedule. Boys are encouraged to participate and improve in multiple events within their own ability range.
Mountain Biking

Daily travel off campus to dirt and paved trails near by. Grades 5-9 (with priority going to upper school boys in gr.7-9). We transport bikes in a trailer to the various locations. This program is also offered in the Fall.
Sailing

Recreational program for grades 5-9. They travel daily to the Community Boat House on the Charles River in Boston for this program. Levels appropriate for all abilities. Extra fee charged.

Mud Week

At Fessenden, we’re continually encouraging boys to try new things, and Mud Week gives them another opportunity to do just that. This one-week period between athletic seasons allows boys to participate in, or be introduced to, the upcoming season's sports. Soccer fanatics can try wrestling, and boys who have never been on the ice learn the basics of hockey. Boys can also use this time to partake in informal, fun activities like like ultimate Frisbee, floor hockey, board games, capture the flag, and the “Fessy Cup” (an intramural hockey tournament for students in Grades 5-9).

Meet the Administrators