Physical Literacy & Athletics
As one global school, our aim is to have sport be a unifying force that demonstrates the tremendous power of play to educate, transform, and inspire.
Athletics are an essential part of the overall educational experience at Whittle School & Studios and a core pillar of our Physical Literacy Development Model. We endeavor to provide athletic programs that are comprehensive and varied, offering athletic opportunities to all students who are interested.
Our driving values begin with motivation & enjoyment, include participation, encourage physical competence, and support confidence along the journey.
Physical Literacy Curriculum
Early Learning Center
We cultivate interest starting in the Early Learning Center, where we regard developing physical literacy as supporting exploration. The Mind & Body element plays a pivotal part in this approach. We seek to see students taking great joy in discovering their own capabilities in a physical-play based context, whether that be exercising the mind or body or both at the same time.
Lower School & Middle School
In the Lower School we focus on the fundamentals, instilling basic skills across a wide spectrum. In the Middle School we promote a sampling of physical activities. We do this while keeping the Whittle commitment to “choice and voice” top of mind; students are always encouraged in a way that meets their needs and teaches key parts of leadership and teamwork.
Upper School
In the Upper School we promote utilization, meaning we encourage students to specify and pursue a physical passion in a field of their choosing. There are formal teams and formal support for interests outside of Whittle School & Studios. At the 9th and 10th grade level we continue to teach the fundamentals, with an emphasis moving towards specialization for the 11th and 12th grade years.
Our commitments: The 3 C’s
1. A comprehensive Physical Literacy program that stresses good health, physical fitness and life-time activities.
2. A competitive interscholastic Athletics Program that encourages students of varied abilities and skills to participate and compete in a wide range of athletic sports.
3. A complementary Studios offering that provides opportunities for personal development in individual and small group settings.
Athletics
Athletics has immediately become a powerful source of community and Whittle pride. We are an integral part in developing future leaders!
2019-2020 School Year Accomplishments
Engaged 100+ student athletes across all 3 seasons
Girls Tennis finished the season 6-2
XC had several students improve their stamina and set a new PR in meets
Girls and Boys soccer was competitive in each game and grew exponetially as a team
Girls Basketball finished the season a combined 23-4
Boys basketball was competitive in each game with a team that was relatively new to the sport
Swimming had several students receive PR times in meets
Squash competed against several local schools with a long-standing history and improved immensely throughout the season
Our Fencing team practiced virtually through the end of the end of the school year!
The sports offerings listed below reflect typical offerings in a typical year. Due to Covid-19 our 2020 fall season is cancelled. We will stay flexible for the winter and spring, while following government guidelines and always prioritizing the safety and security of our students.
Fall Sports
Girls Tennis (MS & Varsity)
Boys Soccer (MS & Varsity)
Girls Soccer (MS & Varsity)
Co-ed Cross Country (MS & Varsity)
Girls Volleyball (JV)
WINTER Sports
Girls Basketball (MS & Varsity)
Boys Basketball (MS & Varsity)
Co-ed Squash (MS & Varsity)
Co-ed Swimming (MS & Varsity)
Co-ed Badminton (MS & Varsity)
SPRING SPORTS
Boys Tennis (MS & Varsity)
Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee (JV)
Co-ed Fencing (MS & Varsity)
Co-ed Track & Field (MS & Varsity)
Athletics Faculty
Shaina “Shay” Chafin, Athletic Director
Shaina Chafin joins Whittle from Bullis School in Potomac, MD, where she served as the Middle School Assistant and Assistant Girls Varsity Baskebtall Coach. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Performance Enhancement Specialist. She is a former collegiate athlete with a BS degree from Northern Arizona University. Coach Chafin has been a part of the Team Takeover Basketball organization for the last four years and served as an assistant coach with the 2019 Nike Nationally ranked 17U Girls EYBL Team Takeover.
Email: schafin@whittleschool.org
“Athletics and Physical Literacy was a light for so many students during this inaugural year. We knew it would be challenging with a small student body, but our student athletes handled each practice and game with incredible poise. Our teams were known to ‘play hard’ in each sport. They gave their all each time we competed. Athletics helped to build the strong community that we at Whittle School & Studios are so proud to be creating.
Middle School and Upper School students competed on the same teams and had a unique opportunity to start embracing leadership and mentorship skills. They created relationships across divisions that helped build a safe space for all. I am so proud of the resilience, determination, and support our student athletes exhibited in each season.”
