“A healthy lifestyle is an active lifestyle.” Maret puts muscle behind that truism with a program designed to encourage lifelong enjoyment of physical activity. Drawing upon children’s natural love of physical exertion and play, our Lower School program helps elementary school students develop coordination and locomotion skills. Older students are introduced to organized team sports as they play modified versions of handball, racquetball, football, and softball.
Interscholastic physical education/athletics are introduced in grades seven and eight; participation is emphasized, and all team members are guaranteed playing time. Embedded in the school day, these non-elimination sports develop the physical, emotional, and cognitive skills that enable students to become effective team members.
A wide range of athletic opportunities await our high school students. They may opt to participate on one of our 30 competitive interscholastic teams; girls compete in the Independent School League (ISL), and the boys compete in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC). Some students pursue an independent P.E. program, selecting a Maret-approved activity such as dance (jazz, ballet, and modern), martial arts, or rock-climbing.
Maret focuses on cooperation rather than competition and consistently stress skills improvement. Our students learn the value and importance of good sportsmanship and are encouraged to foster a positive attitude toward health, fitness, and self-image. We introduce activities that students may pursue throughout their lives, such as kickboxing, skateboarding, Pilates, and weight training.