Each student in the Upper School must complete two credits of PE per year. A PE credit is either a season (fall, winter and spring) of an interscholastic sport or a season-long independent program.*
Any student who is a team member in an interscholastic sport for a season earns a unit for that season. Students who do not play on interscholastic teams or enroll in Upper School PE must follow an independent program to receive credits. If students are involved in outside athletic programs (i.e. gymnastics, dance, riding, etc.) with instructors with whom they meet regularly, they must complete and submit an Independent PE Credit Application to the Athletic Department at the beginning of each season. In addition, students must complete and return Seasonal Reports to the Athletic Department for evaluation. No PE credit will be awarded if the student fails to complete an independent study program or fails to submit the required paperwork.
* Any student who takes a Dance Department course (Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced) for a semester completes one PE credit.
Students who participate in the Spring Musical may earn a PE credit with the recommendation from the Drama Director in consultation with the PE Department.
League Play
Varsity, JV and/or Middle School teams are fielded in both boys and girls sports. All varsity teams are under the umbrella of the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and belong to the Western New England Preparatory School Athletic Association (WNEPSAA—District 4 in NEPSAC), the Connecticut Independent School Athletic Conference (CISAC), and/or Southeastern New England (SENE).
Athletic Awards
After every sports season, each team has its own awards ceremony to recognize the achievements of the athletes on the team. At these events, the coaches may recognize individual players with special awards.
Varsity Letters
An athlete is awarded one varsity letter in his or her high school career. For each succeeding varsity letter earned, a bar is then presented to the athlete to add to the letter.
Indoor
Basketball practices and games at Williams take place in either the full-size Leonard H. Bulkeley Gymnasium or the practice gymnasium. Most swimming practices and home meets are held at Connecticut College pool. Squash practices and matches are played at the Connecticut College squash courts.
Outdoor
Varsity and JV Soccer (girls and boys), Varsity and JV Field Hockey, Varsity and JV Lacrosse (girls and boys) and Baseball (Varsity and JV) teams practice and play at the Williams Athletic Complex off Bloomingdale Road in Waterford. The Cross Country team trains either at the Complex, at Williams or in surrounding neighborhoods. The Tennis team practices and plays matches at either Leary Park, Toby May Park or Connecticut College’s tennis courts. The Sailing team practices and sails at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club in Stonington.
During fall and spring outdoor seasons, a school bus leaves from the school’s south parking lot to take athletes to the Complex after 9th Period.This physical education class is offered as a non-competitive alternative to interscholastic sports. The fall class will be instructional yoga, and will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-5:15 p.m. in the small gym.