Athletics

Our philosophy…We believe that athletics at Bement is an opportunity for each child to gain life-long respect of physical fitness.  In order to achieve this we offer a variety of sports, both competitive and non-competitive.  Competitive teams have a regular schedule against local schools.  We require each student to participate in one sport per term. We believe having kids participate in three different activities throughout the year creates a well-rounded experience.  Daily participation in such activities allows them to discover their own strengths while learning the value of good sportsmanship and gaining self-confidence. 

Our athletic director…Alex Bartlett graduated from Bement in 1987.  He has recently returned as our athletic director to share his passion for physical activity.  Alex feels this has always been an important part of his life, from his time at Bement, through his time at Deerfield, to the present. He came to Bement after spending four years at the Academy at Swift River, a therapeutic boarding school, where he was a wilderness counselor, developed a soccer program, and taught yoga.   Alex says of coaching, “It is an amazing opportunity for kids to learn life lessons.”  He believes there is much to be learned about communication and self-awareness through physical activity. Alex is a certified yoga instructor and coaches soccer, basketball, and baseball at Bement.

Upper School Sports Offerings

The Lower School program aims to develop coordination, game skills, sportsmanship, and a general awareness of the importance of physical fitness. Every lower school child participates in physical education class every day. Grades 4 and 5 concentrate on seasonal sports, playing intramural games and developing sport-specific skills that they will use in the upper school when interscholastic sports begin. All students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in an instructional swimming program at the beginning of the spring term at the Deerfield Academy pool.