Athletics and Physical Education

Tower Hill believes that the physical wellbeing of our students is as important as their intellectual development and that many important lessons are taught through an athletic experience. Athletics and physical education are a fundamental part of the total curriculum at Tower Hill and are an integral part of the school day. 

Beginning in preschool, students are exposed to developmentally appropriate physical activities that refine movement and motor skills. The exercises also highlight the importance of character, such as taking turns, playing by the rules and showing good sportsmanship towards fellow classmates.

The objectives of coaches and teachers are identical: to help young people reach their fullest potential intellectually, emotionally and physically. Coaches are teachers who deal with physical fitness as well as the fundamentals and strategies of sport. We offer our athletes, who vary in their interest and ability, quality programs that appropriately challenge them to stretch their outer limits of endurance, self-discipline, loyalty, self-confidence, leadership, cooperation and winning and losing graciously. Coaches are expected to uphold high standards and teach the valuable lessons that can be learned from athletic competition.

Students participate in interscholastic competition starting in the seventh grade and are required to participate in athletics in all three seasons, through 12th grade. Time for athletics, a component of the student’s physical education requirement, is built into the school day. 

Tower Hill School holds 79 State Championships. The school is a member of the Delaware Independent School Conference (DISC) of Wilmington and vicinity. Other member schools are St. Andrew's School, Sanford School, Tatnall School and Wilmington Friends School. The DISC is one of the oldest competitive conferences in America. Tower Hill is also an associate member of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) state organization that governs most aspects of our athletic program from grades 7-12.

Athletic competition is an integral part of the educational and developmental process of our students, and many important lessons are taught through athletic experience. Therefore, athletics are a fundamental part of the total curriculum at Tower Hill, fulfilling our motto of Multa Bene Facta—Many Things Done Well. Sportsmanship—the demonstration of appropriate conduct, honest rivalry and graceful acceptance of the outcome—is as important as the full development of athletic skills. Critical to these teachings is the expectation that our community as well as our athletes will demonstrate respect for everyone involved in athletic competition.

Tower Hill has two full-time trainers who work on are responsible for our students’ health before, during, and after athletic activities. The Athletic Department has implemented the ImPACT test (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). The test is a 20-minute computer based test and no special preparation is required. The objective of the test is to have students establish a baseline cognitive score in the event of a future injury. Tower Hill currently offers the program to students in the Middle and Upper School. Tower Hill is one of the few schools in the mid-Atlantic region to use the ImPACT test with students three times during their Middle/Upper School years (grades 7, 9 and 11).