Athletics

St. Anselm’s Abbey School is committed to helping each of its students grow intellectually, spiritually and physically. In keeping with that philosophy, we offer a comprehensive program of co-curricular and interscholastic athletics designed to strengthen both body and character.

As part of the regular curriculum, all students participate in Physical Education classes. Forms A through IV (grades 6 through 10) have six periods of structured physical activity each week, including intramural competitions. Juniors and seniors are required to play one sport at the varsity level each year or engage in a suitable equivalent. At all grade levels, our students participate in a variety of interscholastic sports. We currently field over 15 teams in soccer, cross country, wrestling, basketball, track and field, tennis, baseball and fencing.

As a small school, St. Anselm's can give nearly all who want to participate the opportunity to do so—and do so quite well. Given this structure, it is not unusual for a student to earn two or even three varsity letters in one school year. St. Anselm's athletes have distinguished themselves both on and off the playing fields, earning all-metropolitan, all-league and all-academic honors. Many of our athletes go on to play at the collegiate level as well—currently, we have graduates playing varsity sports at Columbia University, Catholic University, Gettysburg College and St. Mary’s College of Maryland, among others.

St. Anselm's competes in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) for most sports. Other members of the PVAC include St. Andrew’s School, McLean School, Montrose Christian School, Edmund Burke School, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Queen Anne School, Washington International School and Sandy Spring Friends School.

Since joining the PVAC in 1996, the St. Anselm’s Panthers have won more than 40 league championships at the Varsity, JV and Middle School levels in various sports. Our wrestling and fencing teams compete with schools from around the region on an independent basis.

St. Anselm's has some of the finest athletic facilities in the city. In addition to our outdoor tennis facility, batting cages and baseball diamonds, we have a state-of-the-art gymnasium which was completed in 2003. Our facility features a main gym with seating for 500 fans; team rooms for our varsity, JV and Middle School teams and visiting opponents; indoor practice facilities and weight rooms for wrestling, basketball and fencing; a trainer’s room; and ample office space for our coaches and administrators.