Course Catalog

Athletics

Each academic year students are required to complete three athletic credits through participation in a competitive team sport or in a combination of various recreational physical education classes/activities, wilderness experiences or dance courses. All courses grant one athletic credit unless otherwise noted. Team sports grant three credits. Recreational sports meet twice per week and two options may be paired together for a full experience within a mod. Most dance courses grant athletic credit. Students may earn athletic credits through independent sports, but they must apply at the start of the school year and receive permission from the Independent Athletic Committee.


  1. Courses are evaluated on a credit/no credit basis. Credits will be earned by consistent attendance and participation.
  2. Students lose credit upon a 5th team sport absence within a single mod or a 3rd absence in a class that meets twice per week. This applies to both excused and unexcused absences due to the fitness requirement for credit. If students exceed the limit due to excused, unavoidable, absences, they make make up up to two days of participation to retain credit. They must communicate with the Athletic Director to develop a plan within the first week of the next mod.
  3. Participation in a module-break wilderness trip merits 0.5 athletic credits. There are three trips per school year. Additionally, CSW offers single-day "microtrips." Participation in two microtrips yields 0.5 credits.
  4. Students who participate in two-mod long theatrical productions earn 1 athletic exemption for each production. A student who participates in the Fall production would need to earn 2 athletic credits. A student who participates in the Fall and Spring Production would need to earn 1 athletic credit. This policy enables actors engaging in school-sponsored activities to continue to do so year-round.
  5. Students failing to earn the required three credits may need to complete the requirement during the summer. In unusual circumstances, if the three credits required in one year cannot be completed, a student may ask permission of the Athletic Director to carry over one credit to the following year. In that year the student will be expected to complete four athletic credits.
  • Badminton

    Our badminton course provides students with an introduction to the rules, techniques, physical skills, and strategies of the game of badminton. Students will develop their badminton skills through a series of demonstrations and instructions, and reinforce their skill development through a wide variety of competitive games. The goals of this course are to get you exercising and have some fun in the process!
  • Cardio-Boxing

    Cardio-Boxing is a fun and energetic class where students use choreographed cardio-boxing combinations combined with calisthenics and jumping rope to obtain a great aerobic workout. In our state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Center, students go from being taught how to wrap their hands to eventually completing a boxing circuit of approximately 10 rounds using standalone punching bags. Be ready to feel the burn!
  • Frisbee - Recreational

    Ultimate Frisbee is an exciting, fastpaced, noncontact team sport that combines the athletic skills of running, jumping, and catching a disc in an energetic, funfilled environment. Students learn the proper throwing and catching techniques as well as fundamental offensive and defensive principles through instruction, drills, and games. The majority of class time is devoted to active participation in the game of Ultimate.
  • Golf

    Our golf program is recommended for beginners with some golf exposure to intermediate golfers. Students will receive instruction from a local golf professional one day per week, and practice driving and putting on the other. Proper golf attire is required at most local golf facilities.
  • Mind-Body Movement

    This explorative movement course touches on our awareness of the body in space. Using movement exercises to develop the connection between mind and body, one can expand their physical vocabulary and move more efficiently. Students of all athletic experience levels are welcome and can benefit from this course.

    This course is offered in the late afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays and awards 0.5 athletic credits. It can be taken following a "GOLD" D-Block. 
  • Move to the beat!

    Are you ready to move and groove and dance yourself into shape? That’s exactly what our Move to the Beat! program is all about. This exciting, effective, accessible dance fitness party is open to participants of all skill levels.
  • Pickleball

    Pickleball is a racket sport  in which two players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a net until one side is unable to return the ball. Pickleball at CSW aims to welcome players of all levels, including absolute beginners.

    Pickleball will meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students who do not make the Varsity Tennis team will be enrolled in Pickleball as an alternative.

    Come learn why Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US today!
  • Pilates

    In our Pilates class, students are introduced to beginner level Pilates mat and reformer exercises, with emphasis placed on learning proper Pilates breathing, and developing “core” connection, strength, flexibility, and proper alignment. The class learns how to access their “powerhouse” muscles and how to maintain that engagement throughout movement. Students also become familiar with beginning safe ranges of motion and how to determine when they are ready to increase the challenge by increasing their range of motion.
  • Recreational JV Tennis Skills & Drills

    Recreational Tennis Skills & Drills meets 4 days per week, unlike the Varsity Teams which meet 5 days/week. The Recreational group meets on campus where students will practice Tennis skills.

    Students in this group may be called upon to participate alongside the Varsity teams in competition or practice.
  • Running for Fitness

    The course title is self-explanatory. Similar to our Spring Running class, this class is offered to those students who run simply because they like to run. Students enrolled in this course may also reap the benefits more commonly associated with running such as improved cardiovascular health and bone density, weight loss, and stress management.
  • Self Defense Course

    This self-defense course is open to all students. This course is brought to CSW students by IMPACT Boston, an organization that teaches practical self‑defense skills that give students the experience of facing their fears and finding their power. In this class, students are taught how to avoid altercations, resist intimidation, communicate assertively, and escape potential assaults. Students learn how to set verbal boundaries and de‑escalate potentially dangerous situations. The course will also teach ways to physically defend against a number of threatening scenarios including front confrontations, attacks from the rear, attempted sexual assault, and ground fighting. Scenarios will be empowering, practical, and useful. For more info on IMPACT Boston visit http://impactboston.com/hs/
  • Spring Games

    Welcome Spring with a nostalgic romp through a collection of field games. Capture the Flag, Dodgeball, and more!
  • Strength Training & Conditioning

    In the strength and conditioning class, students are encouraged to define one or more training goals for the Mod. What is strength and conditioning? Strength is the ability to produce FORCE, and it is a more durable adaptation than Conditioning, which is comparably transient, and is more concerned with WORK CAPACITY- how much physical work can be done in a given time period. These two very different physical adaptations require different types of training. You can do either or both, but you must have a plan to improve them. The most important aspects of your goal-setting to consider are Specific, Measurable, and Timely. . Students are expected to come to class in exercise clothing, ready to train.
  • Table Tennis

    Table tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. More commonly played in a recreational format and referred to as “Ping Pong” in the United States, it is, in fact, an Olympic sport. Students will learn the official rules of the game, basic serves, forehands, backhands, and offensive and defensive strategies. The majority of class time is devoted to active participation in games, both singles and doubles.
  • Tennis - Boys' Varsity

    Students practice tennis skills and play competitively against peer schools.

    Students participating in Tennis travel off-campus to courts. Due to bus space, only a limited number of students can participate in this program. Tryouts will be held at the start of class. Students who are not selected for the Varsity Tennis Team will participate in on-campus Pickleball to develop their skills.
  • Tennis - Girls' Varsity

    Students practice tennis skills and play competitively against peer schools.

    Students participating in Tennis travel off-campus to courts. Due to bus space, only a limited number of students can participate in this program. Tryouts will be held at the start of class. Students who are not selected for the Varsity Tennis Team will participate in on-campus Pickleball to develop their skills.
  • Tennis- Recreational

    Tennis players of all ability levels learn the fundamental skills and strategies of tennis through instruction, drills, and a variety of games. The majority of class time is devoted to active participation in the game of tennis.
  • Trail Walking

    Experience the natural environment just beyond campus. Students will walk off campus to explore nearby trails. Hiking outdoors promotes a healthy lifelong habit and appreciation for our beautiful surroundings in the Springtime.
  • Trail Walking & Bird Watching

    Experience the natural environment just beyond campus. Students will explore nearby trails, while admiring our avian neighbors. In addition to hiking local trails around campus, students will learn to identify some of the common birds and small mammals that frequent eastern Massachusetts. Students will create lists and charts to identify birds and their behaviors. Hiking outdoors promotes a healthy lifelong habit and appreciation for our beautiful surroundings in the Springtime.
  • Volleyball - Recreational

    Learn how to serve, bump, set and spike. Instruction and game play are provided.
  • Walking for Fitness

    We offer a Walking for Fitness class in the late fall and winter months on our indoor walking track. Students enrolled in this course walk with the intention of reaping the cardiovascular benefits associated with completing approximately 3-5 miles in each class. Students may also enjoy the many benefits associated with walking, such as greater bone density, weight loss, stress management, and improved mental health.
  • Wilderness Trip

    There are three modulebreak trips per year: a fall hiking trip, a winter skiing/snowshoeing/mountaineering trip, and a spring canoe or sea kayaking trip. During these trips, eight to ten students learn outdoor and survival skills, engage in group cooperation, and experience personal challenges and limitations. There is an extra charge for wilderness trips. 

    Trip participation awards 0.5 athletic credits.
  • Wilderness Trip: Micro Trip

    "Micro  Wilderness Trips" include hikes, bikes, and climbs offered over various weekends and breaks throughout the year. Completion of two Micro Wilderness Trips earns half an athletic credit. 


  • Yoga

    Yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices and disciplines that arose in the Vedic age of Northern India, 1500-500 years before the Christian era. The word, “Yoga” is related directly to the word, “yoke,” meaning “to join”. Yoga helps us join together often disparate parts of self and society. Its methods, to help still the mind, and yoke mind to body, enable the practitioner to detect and correct inner dysfunctions, release suffering and find inner peace.

    What we call Yoga is typically a Westernized version of Hatha Yoga (pose-based yoga) that emphasizes physical strength and flexibility.  At CSW, our yoga class takes inspiration from various schools of modern Yoga, including Iyengar,  Ashtanga style Vinyasa Yoga, Forrest Yoga , Jivamukti Yoga, Power yoga, and Body-Mind Centering.

Department Faculty

  • Photo of Alan Miles
    Alan Miles
    Director of Athletics
    781-642-8636
    Pfeiffer University - MBA
    Pfeiffer University - BS
    Pfeiffer University - BA
    2021
    Bio
  • Photo of John Cohan
    John Cohan
    Athletics Associate
    781-398-8301
    1990
  • Photo of Katherine Holliday
    Katherine Holliday
    Athletic Trainer
    781-398-8350
    Springfield College - Bachelor of Science
    2023
    Bio
  • Photo of Ted Hurley
    Ted Hurley
    Athletics Associate and Residential Life Faculty
    781-642-8640
    Boston College - M.A.
    Boston College - B.A.
    2023
    Bio

CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.