A Top Independent School
with Exceptional Athletics

Baylor isn't just a prep school with exceptional academics — we also distinguish ourselves by having one of the best school sports programs in the country. Our student-athletes benefit from the advantages that sports involvement offers all students, as well as the special advantages of playing for Baylor.

How Athletics Can Enhance a Student's School Years

Being involved in sports is more than fun. Students who get involved in athletic activities in school can experience some important benefits to their overall health and well-being, including:

• Physical health: Youth ages 6 to 17 should get at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Participating in sports, especially more energetic ones, can help students live a more active lifestyle and achieve better health. In addition to promoting a healthier weight — which has lifelong benefits — physical activity can also help youth develop stronger bones and muscles.

• Cognition: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), being physically active can also help improve students' cognition, enhancing their mental processing speed, executive function and memory. This can help students perform better on tests and achieve more in school. Some studies have shown school sports to help students improve their grades, though students must balance the time they give to athletics with academic activities like studying.

• Personal growth: Being involved in sports can also help students grow personally. Research shows that personal growth from athletic involvement can take the form of more independence and responsibility, better self-discipline, enhanced decision making, a more positive attitude, a commitment to goal setting and more. These are all helpful skills and character traits that will serve students on and off the field.

• Peer relationships: Sports also have social benefits for students. They can gain a stronger sense of belonging at school and develop deep friendships with their teammates. According to HHS, students involved in sports have the opportunity to develop leadership abilities, teamwork and relationship building — all important social and interpersonal skills. There is nothing quite like the camaraderie youth enjoy with their fellow athletes.

• Mental health: Physical activity is known to have mental health benefits for students, including a decreased risk of depression and anxiety. Being involved in sports is also likely to bolster a student's self-esteem. Students can enjoy a sense of accomplishment when their hard work pays off and they see how far they have come individually and as part of a team.

• Time management: Student-athletes also benefit from the way athletic involvement helps them learn to manage their time. Time management is a vital life skill that students will need more than ever when they get to college. Learning in middle and upper school how to balance responsibilities and be successful both in the classroom and on the field, at the pool or on the course will help them tremendously in college — especially if they plan to participate in collegiate sports.
  

Baylor's Athletics Opportunities

Baylor boasts a robust athletics program that draws students from across the U.S. For students who want to realize their full potential academically and athletically, Baylor is an ideal fit. Compared to other public, private and even independent schools with athletics, Baylor's program is exceptional.

You don't have to take our word for it, either. Sports Illustrated identified Baylor as having the best high school sports program in the state of Tennessee and included our sports program in the top 25 programs in the country. Baylor also boasts the most state championship wins in our regional association: the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).

At Baylor, you have more options for sports than you'll find at most schools. You can get involved in a wide range of athletic activities, including:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cheerleading
• Cross Country
• Diving
• Fencing
• Football
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
  

Highlights From Baylor's Athletics Program

• Amazing coaches: We have some incredible coaches who pour their time and energy into helping our individual athletes and teams succeed. Our coaches serve as positive role models for Baylor students, demonstrating the core values that permeate everything we do, such as honesty, respect and leadership.
• Exceptional facilities: Our athletic facilities are truly exceptional, offering students ideal environments for training, practicing and playing. Our aquatics center, for example, is one of the most impressive you'll find anywhere in the nation. We also enjoy state-of-the-art indoor facilities in our field house complex and beautiful outdoor fields.
• Longer seasons: Especially compared to the Northeast, where some of our athletes hail from, eastern Tennessee has a much milder climate that allows for longer outdoor seasons. That's why some families seek out southern schools for sports. Whether you're interested in southern prep football, baseball or golf, Baylor is the place for you.
• Dedicated students: Our students are undoubtedly a big part of why our athletic programs are so successful. As a prep school, we attract students who are committed to achieving academically, and students bring this same level of commitment to their sports. Students share a positive attitude and work ethic as they strive for the best they can be.
• School spirit: We also have a fun sense of school spirit at Baylor, which enriches our sports program. We enjoy competitive rivalries with other schools in our area, including Hixson and Signal Mountain. Our most intense local rivalry is with McCallie, who we play regularly in football. All our students enjoy rooting on our Red Raiders.

Sprint Into Your Future With Baylor

If you are interested in playing sports in college, you shouldn't have to choose between a high school with exceptional academics and one with exceptional sports programs. Athletic prep schools like Baylor can give you the best of both worlds. As a Baylor student, you can thrive academically and hone your athletic skills, giving you the solid foundation you need to be a successful collegiate athlete.

More than 100 of our graduates have gone on to play college sports. Some have even played for impressively selective universities, such as Stanford and Harvard. If you want to succeed as a college athlete who brings your A-game to your academics and your sport, Baylor can provide a strong launchpad into your future. Are you ready to become a Red Raider? Plan a visit to our campus today or request information online.

One of the top high school programs in the country...

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