The athletic program at Spence offers our young women in Grades 5-12 new experiences through which they will grow physically, mentally, and socially. We foster an environment that stimulates the growth of the individual and recognizes her unique contributions to the Spence community.
The Athletics program seeks to support the mission of the School and to provide an enhanced environment in which each individual can develop. Each student-athlete is challenged to learn and develop new skills, embrace the value of working together to achieve common goals, and become empowered to stretch her boundaries and self-expectations. Shared experiences in the athletic program provide athletes with life skills that prepare them for success in college and beyond.
Athletic activities are introduced in Grade 5, when students are provided the opportunity to experience a multitude of activities. This age-appropriate focus on skill development and socialization is reflected by the variety of program offerings, and allows coaches to include all interested students as well as to begin to develop competitive team goals and to guide student-athletes to strive for a higher level of skill development. The demands of the practice and competition schedule increase as the students progress through the Middle School program.
Spence is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (NYSAISAA) and also the Athletics Association of Independent Schools of New York City (AAIS). NYSAISAA and AAIS provide governance structure and championship opportunities for our athletic programs in the Middle and Upper School. As a member of the NYSAISAA Commissioner’s Regulations, we strive to provide an age-appropriate instructional program in Grades 5 and 6, and an increasingly competitive program in Grades 7 and 8. At the Varsity and JV level of competition in the Upper School, athletes are striving to compete at their highest level while continuing to cultivate the personal skills of leadership, commitment, competitiveness, time management, personal sacrifice, and appreciation for the unique skills of each individual.
At the Varsity level, Spence has enjoyed success in both our league (AAIS) and at the state level (NYSAISAA). In 2008-09, and again in 2009-10, Spence was crowned as the NYSAISAA Volleyball State Champion, having completed the 2009 season regular season undefeated. In 2010, the track and field team finished fourth at the NYSAISAA State Championship meet with the individual champion in discus, and the runner-up in the 100 meter. In league play, the field hockey, swimming, badminton, softball, tennis, and track and field programs have also enjoyed great success in the AAIS, having won several regular season and tournament titles.
