In the event that a team needs to be excused early from school, the Upper School Athletic Director sets a release time that has the least negative effect on academic class time and allows for a safe warm-up period.

Teams being dismissed from class early should make a timely exit from the school and board the bus within 15 minutes of being excused from class.

All Varsity Athletes will be given the opportunity to earn a letter.  Each program has devised its own criteria for earning a Varsity Letter. These policies are listed in each specific team’s policy book.

Some teams value objective attributes in their process i.e.: attend 90% of practices and be on the Varsity game day roster at some point during the season, regardless of playing time. Some teams value subjective attributes such as loyalty and hard work during the season. 

A player who does not successfully complete the season or violates any team, MSHSL and/or school policies forfeits their right to a Varsity letter.

The coaching staff has the autonomy to letter an individual who has not met the team requirements due to unforeseen circumstances (injury, illness, etc.)

A Varsity Letter is earned and not given.

If this is your child’s first-time lettering – they are eligible to purchase a letter jacket if they are interested.  They will receive a chenille SPA Letter from the school but all other patches, etc. are provided on their own. If a letter earner has not received their letter please contact athleticsadminasst@spa.edu

Letter Jacket ordering information:

Strauss Skates and Bicycles

1751 Cope Ave. E.

Maplewood, MN 55109

651-770-1344

The relationship between families and coaches is vital to making the experience of each student-athlete as positive and beneficial as possible. This relationship must be built on respect, trust, and have the same priority of putting the student-athletes first. When your child becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed upon them. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.  

• Weekly Emails

During the first week of the season, coaches should prepare a thorough letter to families that clearly indicates their expectations, guidelines and all other information pertinent to their team.  Coaches will send a weekly email that provides families with important announcements and information about their schedule.  

• Preseason Meeting for Parent/Guardian and Student-Athletes
  All student-athletes and their families are expected to attend the preseason meeting, as scheduled by the Head Coach. Additional meetings may be scheduled throughout the year by the Athletics Department and/or team coaches. These meetings aim to ensure clear communication of team policies, expectations and procedures, and students and families are expected to attend these meetings. 

• Communication You Should Expect from Your Child’s Coach

• • Philosophy of the coach 
  • Expectations the coach has for the team, including your child 
  • Locations and times of all practices and contests 
  • Team requirements 
  • Procedure should your child be injured during practices or games 
  • Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation 

• Communication Coaches Expect from Families

• • Concerns expressed directly to the coach 
  • Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance 
  • Specific concerns regarding a coach’s philosophy and or expectations  

• Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches 

• • Ways to help your child improve 
  • The treatment of your child, mentally and physically 
  • Concerns about your child’s behavior 

• Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches 

• • Playing time 
  • Team position 
  • Team strategy 
  • Play calling 
  • Other student-athletes 

The nature of high school athletics can be very emotional for everyone involved. The highs and lows of wins and losses are part of why we love it! However, that same emotion can be an obstacle to the healthy conversations that must take place throughout the season. It is athletic department policy that families wanting to communicate with coaches after a competition wait a minimum of 24 hours before reaching out to a coach. This is in the best interest of families and coaches to ensure calm productive conversations.

Upper School athletic teams often practice during school vacation times. The amount of involvement varies with each sport, but is often essential to maintain the team’s ability to compete. An athlete must communicate with the coach of their sport to understand expectations and training required. This is the athlete’s responsibility! 

Please confer with your coach before planning College Visits during MEA, President’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or other school breaks.  Please note that SPA students that are participating in a co-op that is managed by another school may be subject to the calendar of that partner school.

St Paul Academy and Summit School  supports the need for athletes and their families to take vacations at various times of the year, but practices and contests should be considered when making vacation arrangements.  A student who misses practice during an official school vacation will be less prepared than their teammates and could thus lose playing time and a starting position. We expect all students whose teams reach the state tournament level to participate. 

As families make Spring Break plans please bear in mind that mandatory practices may be held during Break for students interested in playing on varsity teams during the spring season.

Throughout the year, varying with each sport, there are Saturday practices and Saturday games/meets. Occasional holiday practices will be optional. Sunday practices are prohibited by the MSHSL.

One of the primary sources for conflict in athletics is the issue of playing time. Please keep the following distinctions in mind as you consider your athlete’s experience.

Our athletic program helps students gain self-confidence, develop discipline and responsibility in team play, improve their skills, and experience the enjoyment of athletic competition.

While it is recognized that choices regarding starting line-ups and playing time are made by coaches and can sometimes appear very subjective to spectators, especially parents/guardians, it is expected that any decisions by coaches involving “playing time” will be respected and honored as being within the purview of the coach.

Playing time at the Varsity level will vary at the coach’s discretion, depending upon the player’s attendance at practice, attitude, effort, skills, and the skill level of the competition. Playing time for all members is not guaranteed at any level.

Sub-varsity programs strive for a balance among competitive play, individual participation, and skill development, while fostering a winning spirit.  Playing time per game will vary using a similar criteria to the Varsity level.

The Varsity program is the highest level of interscholastic competition at St. Paul  Academy and Summit School. Varsity athletes and coaches strive for excellence and a winning spirit in this highly competitive environment. Game participation by all team members is not guaranteed.

No student may participate on more than one athletic team during any one sport season. There may be special circumstances in which a coach may request the services of an athlete currently out for another sport during that season. For example, the football coach may request the services of a soccer player to kick at football games. In these special circumstances, permission must be granted by the parent/guardian as well as by the head coaches of both sports and the Upper School Athletic Director. If event or practice conflicts arise, the priority rests with the primary sport of the athlete during that season.

• Due to a lack of participants and as allowed by bylaw 403 of the MSHSL Handbook St. Paul Academy and Summit School participates in a number of cooperatively sponsored athletic programs with area schools to offer activities that aren’t yet fully sustainable on our own.

The programs that St. Paul Academy and Summit School co-ops in are:

• Girls Hockey
  • Led by Burnsville High School
  • Other members: SPA, St. Agnes, DeLaSalle, Faribault High School and Bethlehem Academy 
• Boys Hockey
  • Led by SPA
  • Nova Classical, St. Agnes, Minnehaha Academy, Twin Cities Academy and Great River School
• Football
  • Led by Blake
  • SPA, Minnehaha Academy and Hope Academy
• Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving
  • Led by Highland Park High School
  • Other members: SPA
• Boys Lacrosse
  • Led by Minnehaha Academy
  • Other members: SPA, St. Croix Lutheran Academy, DeLaSalle, St. Agnes, Concordia Academy, South Saint Paul, Nova Classical Academy
• Girls Lacrosse
  • Led by SPA
  • Other members: St. Agnes
• Girls Softball
  • Led by SPA
  • Other members: Twin Cities Academy and Great River School

*Management of co-op’s can vary depending on the lead school.

St. Paul Academy and Summit School Athletics have partnered with a local gym, The PowerHouse, to provide strength and conditioning sessions for our sports teams. Their personal trainers are enthusiastic and passionate about training youth teams. Each session includes a great workout, while also focusing on injury prevention, general physical preparedness, and healthy lifestyle habits. Athletes will increase their speed, agility, power, strength and endurance, and become more confident and knowledgeable about their fitness. Team Training with The Power House will equip athletes with the tools necessary for peak performance in specific sports.

Strength Training with The PowerHouse

SPA has a number of club sports that are meant to allow for additional options for student participation.  These teams are not part of the MSHSL sponsored programs but they do provide a great avenue to do something fun and rewarding. 

For more information, follow this link for Club Sports.

The purpose of the “Senior Day” is to celebrate the athletic careers of seniors who have dedicated themselves to their team sport and to recognize their families who have been supportive during their athletes’ high school athletic career. It has been tradition that the families of Juniors assist in the planning, but we welcome anyone who would like to assist in planning this important event.

PLANNING

Parents should coordinate with the Head Coach and the Upper School Athletic Director when planning Senior Day. 

• Announcements: If you would like to have special announcements made for the seniors a script about each senior must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the event so the announcer and or coach has a chance to rehearse. Comments should not exceed two minutes and be appropriate for all audiences.
• Tables/Tents/Chairs – If you would like anything set-up for Senior Day a request must be made at least 10 days prior to the event so maintenance can honor your request.
• Audio Equipment:  Any sport that does not have an announcer will need to request audio equipment and arrange their own announcer.  This should be done at least two weeks prior to the event.
• Food/Refreshments: If families decide they would like to offer refreshments they must be prepackaged and nut free. 

WHAT THE SCHOOL PROVIDES

• Date: The date for Senior Day is chosen by the Head Coach in collaboration with the senior parents prior to the start of the season.  
• Posters: Each senior is gifted with a senior poster to keep at the conclusion of their senior day.
• Budget: Athletics will provide a poster and $20 per senior to help offset the cost of senior day.  Receipts must be submitted to the Director of Athletics immediately following senior day for reimbursement.   
• “THANK YOU SENIORS” Banner:  The Athletic Department has banners available for recognizing seniors. Requests to use a banner should be made at least 48 hours in advance.
• Any additional celebratory items will be provided by families of the program.

Weather Conditions and Competition or Practice

Prior to the start of a contest, the host school is responsible for determining whether or not the conditions present a threat to the safety of participants and spectators and will determine whether or not the contest will begin. Once the contest begins, the officials have the authority to postpone or suspend a contest due to unsafe weather conditions — that decision may not be overruled. School officials also still have this authority. On-site medical professionals should also be consulted and included in the decision-making process. The Superintendent or his/her designee may overrule an official and suspend or postpone a contest once it has begun. In other words, once a contest has begun either the officials or school authorities may postpone or suspend a contest and cannot be overruled by the other party. When in doubt, err on the side of safety