Athletics

No Cut Athletics Program

At The Grauer School, an extraordinarily high percentage of students play sports and compete in athletic competitions at both the middle school and high school levels. Our no cut athletics program makes this possible. We believe the success of Grauer Sports is shown in the passion, perseverance, and teamwork displayed by our student athletes.

“Athletics at The Grauer School are as unique as the school itself. While we always strive to win, our athletic program is built more around inclusion, engagement, and 'team' than around the scoreboard.”
- Dr. Stuart Grauer, Founder and Head of School

Our no cut athletics program balances teaching student athletes to compete and excel with experiencing the joys and responsibilities of being part of a team commitment. We stress fitness, positivity, encouragement and inclusiveness. With tenets like ours firmly in place, it’s no wonder so many students want to join. We call it “serious fun,” and this fun makes us all proud to be the Grauer Gorillas!

No Cut Policy for Sports Programs

There are many benefits of a no cut policy for high school and middle school sports programs. Some of the benefits include:

• Developing role models and social leaders. Instead of some students being intimidated by their more athletically gifted classmates, a no cut policy allows those students to learn from our athletic leaders, who in turn can end up serving as compassionate, inspirational role models for their fellow classmates.
• Encouraging healthy risk-taking and achievement. The middle school and high school years should be about learning to take healthy risks that result in empowerment and resourcefulness serving students long after they graduate. No cut policies in sports allow students to take these risks without the fear of stigma or shame from coaches, peers, parents and the community.
• Cultivating a complete student and person. School and sports should be about inclusion and success resulting from personal growth and development. A no cut sports policy helps students develop healthy communication skills and a team-oriented work ethic. This not only enhances self-esteem, it also allows every student to have the opportunity to contribute to an ideal larger than themselves and shine in the process.

Sports Offerings for Grauer High School Students

For high school students interested in interscholastic athletics, The Grauer School partners with Horizon Prep in varsity and junior varsity sports sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), Division 5. The Grauer School offers the following sports options for high school students:

“What IS it about this place? Every time we are at Grauer, we see kids actively engaging with each other one-on-one, in small groups, and with teachers; talking about their lessons, singing, laughing, running, and playing. Our daughter loves to go to school."
–Sophomore Student's Father

Sports Offerings for Grauer Middle School Students

For Grauer’s middle school student-athletes, we have created opportunities for success beyond the confines of the classroom through our participation in the Independent Middle School League (IMSL). Our no-cut policy means that we are able to provide every student with the opportunity to call themselves an athlete. The Grauer School offers the following sports options for middle school students:

Click here to learn about our Service program

Athletics at The Grauer School

At The Grauer School, we are proud to buck the cultural trend of unhealthy competitiveness and hyper-regulated games rampant throughout mainstream schooling and society. Grauer students are free to “play again”. Our outstanding student successes in the classroom and on the sports fields clearly demonstrate the benefits of inclusion and acceptance of each student for his or her unique contributions to our “tribe.”