Intramural Sports: Grades 4 and 5
Before Middle School competitive sports begin, RHCDS offers intramural sports specifically for Grades 4 and 5. The school frames this stage as intentionally developmental: activities emphasize competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship, giving younger students tools to handle both winning and losing before the stakes of interscholastic competition arrive in Middle School.
Why Intramurals Come First
Starting with intramural competition rather than league play lets Grade 4 and 5 students build sportsmanship and teamwork skills in a lower-pressure setting, which the school treats as foundational before Middle School students take on the standards required for competitive sports.
Competitive Sports and the South Bay Athletic League
Once students reach Middle School, Rolling Hills Country Day School offers a full competitive sports program as part of the South Bay Athletic League (SBAL). Students can take part in an organized league across a range of sports, giving Middle Schoolers the chance to compete against other South Bay-area schools rather than solely within RHCDS.
| Level | Grades | Format |
| Intramural Sports | 4-5 | In-school competition; teamwork and sportsmanship focus |
| Competitive Sports (SBAL) | Middle School (6-8) | Interscholastic competition within the South Bay Athletic League |
Athletics as a Privilege, Not Just an Activity
RHCDS is explicit that participating in its competitive sports program is considered a privilege, and student-athletes are expected to maintain the school’s academic and personal conduct standards to remain eligible. This framing ties athletics directly to the school’s broader emphasis on character and personal responsibility, rather than treating sports as separate from the rest of a student’s conduct at school.
What This Means for Families
Families should understand that a spot on a Middle School team isn’t guaranteed by interest or ability alone; maintaining the academic and conduct standards the school expects of student-athletes is part of staying eligible to compete.
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Empowering Your Child’s Athletic Journey
In summary, Rolling Hills Country Day School offers a structured, two-tier athletics program that seamlessly transitions students from Grade 4 and 5 intramurals to competitive Middle School play in the South Bay Athletic League (SBAL), with eligibility grounded in strong academic standing and personal character.
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