Please read the letter to the community from our CEO & Head of Schools, Peter Anderson, with some updates about our Athletics program.
Dear Washington Latin Community,
I’m writing to you today with an update on recent developments with our athletics program at Washington Latin and as a follow-up to a letter I wrote to you in the spring.
Athletics at Washington Latin embody the classical ideal of cultivating both mind and body in service of human flourishing. The ancient Greeks understood that physical excellence and moral formation were inseparable—the gymnasium was not merely a place for physical training but a space where character, discipline, and virtue were developed alongside strength and skill. Our athletic program honors this tradition by emphasizing the classical virtues of courage, perseverance, and teamwork even more so than competitive success.
We have made much progress since the start of the new school year. This fall, over 340 middle school students and 150 upper school students are participating in athletics across both campuses. Our offerings include girls’ volleyball, cross country (with two middle school teams, one at 2nd Street and one at Cooper), flag football, and soccer (varsity, JV, and middle school teams for both boys and girls), as well as Girls on the Run. We are proud that we have been able to offer cross country with no cuts this year, with more than 100 students and six coaches making this our largest program yet.
We are piloting new pathways for students who want to play and develop their skills. Through a partnership with DC Scores, middle school students who tried out for soccer but did not make a team now have the opportunity to participate in a co-ed developmental soccer program. About 25 students will gain experience, play games, and sharpen their skills for future seasons.
New sports are launching this year, including a fencing program and a spring varsity boys’ volleyball team. Wrestling and cheerleading are moving to the Cooper Campus this winter. And, with the building of a new fitness center at Cooper, we will be able to offer weightlifting at both campuses. To further broaden our offerings, we’ve added fall wellness classes and are actively recruiting a yoga instructor and an indoor track coach.
This has also been a remarkable fall season so far. Our varsity girls soccer team brought home the Petworth Cup yet again. Our boys recaptured the cup for the first time in four years. Our volleyball team is off to a strong start. And, recently, senior Cillian Lyster finished first at the prestigious Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary, North Carolina.
We are also investing in how we communicate and connect with families. We have launched a new athletics webpage, adopted ÉquipeSnap for direct team communication, and streamlined information-sharing through De facto and standardized emails for tryout results. We have also invited team parents to volunteer in supporting logistics and communication.
I am also pleased to share that Washington Latin recently received a SOAR grant to upgrade our 2nd St. playing field, a much-needed investment in our facilities. We continue to use DPR fields through permits secured by the Charter School League, while also exploring—but ultimately finding cost-prohibitive—the use of Catholic University facilities. Parent involvement remains a key strength, from offering feedback to serving as coaches, as in our middle school flag football program.
Several parents have stepped up to help us in a variety of ways: making connections with agencies to address our need for facilities, volunteering as team parents, and assisting coaches directly. If you have ideas or wish to contribute, please contact me or someone in the athletic department.
A sincere thank you to Bob Eleby El, our Athletic Director, whose vision and tireless work have been instrumental in expanding opportunities for our students. Johanna Figueroa (Class of 2012) has done a phenomenal job as the Assistant Director, taking over for Coach Callum. We are also deeply grateful for all of our coaches, most of whom are teachers and other school personnel, who are dedicated to providing the best experiences for our students.
We acknowledge the path to fully realizing our program’s potential—especially regarding facilities—is a journey, and we still have a ways to go. As we continue to expand and try new things, we may not always get it right on the first attempt, but please know our commitment to our student-athletes and the classical mission remains absolute. We value the support, feedback, and hands-on help from our community, and we look forward to celebrating many more achievements, both on and off the field, with all of you.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership.
Peter Anderson
