Athletic Philosophy

We recognize the important balance between academics and athletics and believe strongly that regular exercise, the development of skills, and interscholastic athletic competition play critical roles in a student’s growth. We stress the values of teamwork and cooperation, and students learn to cope respectfully and courteously in times of failure and disappointment as well as in times of success and mastery.

Athletic participation contributes to the development of a child’s self-esteem, confidence and overall character, and provides opportunities for leadership and success outside the classroom. We believe in and practice a 'no-cut' policy. Students do not try out for teams - if a desire to play exists, a student joins a team, earning playing time through dedication to practices and skills development.

Physical education is a daily class for Middle School students, designed to develop individual skills, increase cardiovascular strength and provide students with exposure to sport and play. Middle School students are encouraged to participate in interscholastic sports.

Our Upper School teams play in the Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC) as part of the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA), Division 2. Middle School teams compete in a local Middle School schedule that minimizes long-distance travel to games. We field up to 18 sports teams per year, depending on student signup and interest, and club teams options are often available. Our student scholar athletes (and coaches) are selected regularly for all-conference and all-state honors, and our teams are frequent conference champions; our varsity cross country team won the state and conference titles in the fall of 2023. Our Varsity Volleyball team won both the regular conference season and conference tournament championship last year and our Varsity Cross country team did the same. The Varsity Girls' Soccer team won the state championship (VISAA Division 2) for three years in a row (2010-2012).

If you have questions about athletics and your student, please email athleticdirector@tandemfs.org or call (434) 296-1303 x354.