As our families well know, at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, we support the growth of the whole student. While we’re very proud of our high academic standards and exceptional teaching, we also emphasize the importance of extracurriculars. Our athletic programs are especially popular. In fact, we have the largest athletic program of any elementary or middle school in Volusia County.

Why We Value Athletics

Sports are about more than having fun – although our students certainly deserve to enjoy themselves! They’re about more than competition – although we do know that a competitive edge can contribute to excellence.

We encourage our students to participate in sports, and we’ve put a lot of time, effort, and resources into developing our athletic programs because we’ve found that athletics help students develop a range of “soft skills” that aren’t always emphasized in the classroom. Some of those skills include:

• Commitment
• Working towards shared goals with a team
• Sportsmanship
• Dealing with adversity
• Working together with peers who have a variety of communication and learning styles

Our faculty and staff often watch students bring the skills they’ve learned in sports into the classroom. These skills are reflected in teamwork exercises in math, science, and history classes. We also see them echoed when students receive less-than-ideal grades and draw on the commitment they’ve learned in sports to keep improving. When a student sees a peer who’s struggling to grasp a concept, they help them learn and understand, just as they would on the basketball court or soccer field.

A Lifetime of Excellence

The skills our students learn in athletics don’t just benefit them during their time with us. Our students continue to apply these skills as they move on to high school, college, and eventually the workplace.

Many of our students continue to participate in sports when they move on to area high schools. And that participation can help round out an ideal resume when applying for college and scholarships. Participation in athletics tells admissions officers that a student is dedicated, well-rounded, and a team player. Students with these qualities tend to excel in college and beyond, which is why they are often sought-after by top colleges and awarded lucrative scholarships.

Since 2011, St. Barnabas has had 12 alumni become valedictorians at their respective high schools. This includes eight students who went on to attend DeLand High School and four who went on to attend Father Lopez Catholic High School. Our athletic programs and other extracurriculars have certainly contributed to these students’ success.

Health and Wellness

As mentioned, we like to focus on the “whole student,” and that includes implementing policies and programs that help students care for their bodies and adopt healthy habits.

Did you know that the National Institutes of Health recommends that children ages 6 – 17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day? They also suggest that most of that physical activity is moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Running and brisk walking fall into that category – and you can bet our student-athletes do plenty of that! They also have no trouble getting the vigorous-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activity that the NIH recommends they engage in at least 3 days per week.

Families these days are busy, and sometimes, staying active is difficult when you have a packed schedule. By making physical activity a part of the school day for all our students, we help ensure they get the movement needed for optimal physical and mental health. 

Participation in sports also helps build healthy habits that students can continue to draw on throughout their lifetimes. Soccer players, even if they don’t play at the collegiate level, can join soccer clubs or recreational leagues in college and beyond. The same is true for students on our other teams. When they learn to play and enjoy a sport, that sport can continue to be a source of physical activity, joy, and socialization throughout their lifetime.

At St. Barnabas, we take athletics seriously, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun! Our coaches emphasize teamwork, goal-setting, and sportsmanship while also helping students unwind and enjoy the sports they love. Not only do they learn to play their sport, but they also improve social skills, build self-esteem, and develop empathy and trust for their peers.

If you’re interested in joining the community here at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to tell you more about our athletic programs, extracurriculars, high academic standards, and admissions process. We offer programs for K4 through 8th grade, and we seek to support our families through a balance of Faith, Virtue, and Excellence.