How Team Sports Contribute to the Overall Learning Experience

“It is real-life skills that students are learning; I think athletics enhances what they do in the classroom,” says Wayland’s Director of Athletics, Cody Schultz. “In the classroom, what do you do? You have to be present, focused, work hard, and try to help other people so you can advance the class. It’s the same thing with sports: you have to be present at practice and work hard when you’re there.”

Student athlete Alexa Arguello `26 adds, “Team sports promote discipline, teamwork, resilience, and time management, which impacts us in our academic and personal growth.”

To encourage a well-rounded education, Wayland students are required to participate in athletics in one way or another every season—whether that be as an athlete, team manager, or through Physical Education class. In the fall and winter sports seasons of 2024, every one of our students decided to take part in a sport rather than Physical Education. This is a testament to the value that team athletics brings to our campus.

“Without sports, a student's learning would end directly after school,” says student-athlete Ariel Battey `26. “The bonds made from sports teams would be non-existent, the triumphs, the hardships, the mentorships; the Wayland experience would be lost.”

Our wholesome educational approach to athletics is intentionally carried out by our athletics staff. Coach Schultz emphasizes the deeper purpose behind the programs: “I lead these programs because I want to teach life lessons. I preach hard work, accountability, and integrity. At the end of the day, this is education-based athletics. It’s an extension of the classroom, and in order for us to be the best we can be as a school, we need to excel inside the classroom and out on the field or courts.”

Beyond the wins and losses, Wayland’s approach to athletics helps students understand the value of effort, commitment, and supporting one another. These lessons prepare them not just for success in school but for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter throughout their lives.

Whether learning the importance of time management by balancing practices and homework or discovering the power of camaraderie in achieving shared goals, students at Wayland experience how athletics contribute to the broader picture of education. At its core, Wayland Academy’s mission is to prepare students to thrive—and team sports are an essential part of that journey.