Who We Are

In 2017, the BPS Department of Athletics switched from the purview of the Operations branch to the newly created Office of SEL and Wellness.  The reorganization has transformed the Department of Athletics into an innovative program that focuses not only on the physical development of student-athletes but also their social and emotional health and well-being.  

The mission of this new, innovative approach to district-wide athletics is to provide all students (grades 6-12) with student-centered, culturally responsive programming that uses athletic competition to teach values and skills to young student-athletes will need to be successful now and in the future. Athletic competition facilitates opportunities to build emotional regulation and resilience and emphasizes thoughtful problem-solving decision-making, and teamwork - which are essential building blocks for social-emotional health. Athletes are also naturally taught to overcome adversity through persistence, provide leadership, practice good sportsmanship, and demonstrate humility, integrity, and consideration for others.

What We Do

Our goal is to catalyze the integration of sports and SEL competency-building by getting baseline data that will inform the development of a curriculum (“playbook”) and accompanying professional learning, that will be used to specifically and intentionally teach SEL skills through sport.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

High School Eligibility

• 1.67 GPA or Higher (schools may choose to have a higher GPA for athletic participation)
• School attendance rate of 85% or higher
• A physical examination completed within the last 13 months, that does not expire before the end of the season, with sports clearance from the school nurse  
• Students who turn 19 before September 1 of the current academic year, are ineligible unless an age waiver is granted by the MIAA
• Yearly signed parental consent form (transferable season to season)

Middle School Eligibility

• 2.0 GPA or Higher (schools may choose to have a higher GPA for athletic participation)
• School attendance rate of 93% or higher
• A physical examination completed within the last 13 months, that does not expire before the end of the season, with sports clearance from the school nurse
• Students who turn 15 before September 1 of the current academic year, are ineligible to compete.
• Yearly signed parental consent form (transferable season to season) 

ATHLETIC SPORT OFFERINGS

Fall

• Football *
• Volleyball *
• Soccer
• Cross Country
• Cheerleading

Winter

• Basketball *
• Ice Hockey *
• Wrestling
• Indoor Track and Field
• Double Dutch (MS only)
• Swimming

Spring

• Outdoor Track and Field *
• Baseball *
• Softball
• Tennis
• Boys' Volleyball

*denotes middle school offering

PARTNERS

• Boston Centers for Youth and Families
• Boston Parks and Recreation
• Boston Scholar Athletes
• Dream Big
• Playball - Boston
• Special Olympics, MA