Student Handbook - The Taft School

THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM
A basic aim of the school is to develop each student physically as well as intellectually and spiritually.
Thus scheduled exercise is required of all students. At the beginning of each term students must select
the sport in which they want to participate, and they must report for that activity regularly.
THE TAFT ATHLETIC REQUIREMENT
Participation in an afternoon activity is a basic requirement for all students. Students who are members
of interscholastic teams must exercise as the coaches direct, and those not on teams must participate
in an activity four days a week.
Students who are on Taft interscholastic teams should not participate on non-Taft teams while
their Taft team is in season. Outside athletic commitments should never interfere with a student’s
activities or responsibilities at Taft. Students who seek an exemption to this school policy must notify
the Taft coach of their intention prior to joining any non-Taft team.
All students must participate in the afternoon program each term. Students may request
exemptions from the exercise requirement as explained below. The Dean’s Committee will decide
whether particular activities should be allowed to qualify for an exercise exemption. Students
must ask the permission of their class dean and their faculty advisor to participate in approved
activities in lieu of exercise.
Students in the ISP Program should understand that an ISP can be used as an exercise exemption
only for one term. If an ISP project takes longer than one term to complete, students must sign up
for an athletic activity for at least one term of the project. Seniors on ISP who elect not to do an
exercise must count this term as their term of exercise exemption.
Students in plays that end in the middle of a term must sign up for an exercise at the beginning of the
term. When the play is over, they must then attend exercise whenever their chosen activity meets.
ATHLETICS
68 The Taft School