Athletic Philosophy
The tradition of outstanding interscholastic programming has a long history in the Upper St. Clair School District. Interscholastic programming begins at Fort Couch Middle School at seventh grade and continues through grades 9 to 12 at Upper St. Clair High School. At Fort Couch Middle School, there are seven sport programs for boys and six sport programs for girls. All of the sport programs offer teams at both seventh and eighth grade. There are also various club sports offered.
As a participating member of the PIAA, the Upper St. Clair School District interscholastic program’s three major goals are:
- emphasize the educational values of interscholastic athletics,
- promote safe and sportsmanlike competition, and
- abide by uniform standards for all interscholastic levels of competition.
At the middle school level, the district values opportunities for all students to participate in the interscholastic sports program. To meet this goal, the district at times will field a number of teams within certain sport programs to ensure that all interested students may have an opportunity to participate.
At the end of their sixth grade school year, incoming students to Fort Couch Middle School are introduced to the middle school athletic program in academic team meetings held by the athletic program staff. All aspects of the program are reviewed with the future seventh graders together with information concerning how to enroll in a specific sport and procedures related to the One Sport Physical using the CIPPE form.
In the spring of the students’ eighth grade year, members of the USCHS Athletic Department meet with students in academic team meetings to review opportunities for the fall sports season for the upcoming school year.
Athletic opportunities for students below seventh grade are offered through theTownship of Upper St. Clair Department of Recreation and Leisure Services and community organizations.