Student Life
Athletics
One of the primary academic goals at Waverly is that each student works to his or her highest potential. This is true in sports as well. Sports enrich student life and the school community. We believe that participation in sports can contribute significantly to the physical, social, and emotional well-being of our students. Athletes are encouraged to develop their skills and ability to work as a team. As a result, our coaches focus on maximizing the participation of all team members. Success is measured in terms of personal development and the team’s overall progress.
The athletics program allows students to compete at the middle school level in fall, winter, and spring sports in the Foothill League. Sports include flag football, volleyball, basketball, and track. Additionally, there are opportunities to participate in club sports like golf, tennis, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Outdoor Education
Middle school outdoor education takes form in annual two-night trips to regional campsites where teachers and students learn how to work with each other while enjoying Southern California’s wilderness. Usually taking place in the fall, these trips bring students and faculty together away from the pressures of school. The trips are an integral part of the middle school experience.
Service Learning
Service to the greater community is one of the basic commitments upon which Waverly was founded. Our Service Learning Program manifests itself within each division of the school in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the age and stage of an elementary, middle, or high school student. We use the term “Service Learning” rather than “Community Service” because we strive to integrate our learning into the class schedule as students expand their understanding of issues of community concern at the school, in the Pasadena area, and across the globe. Our program consists of appropriate service opportunities for middle school children, school-wide projects, and various events throughout the school year. Students are also encouraged to consider creating their own projects. Examples of student-generated projects have been as diverse as making blankets for regional children’s hospitals and pulling non-native plant species from the Monrovia Canyon Wildlife Center.
Learn more about service learning
Student Government and Clubs
Each fall, the middle school students determine the kind of student government they want for the school year. Regardless of the structure, student governments are elected by their peers. In general, these groups seek to enrich the school experience by planning special events, organizing decision-making groups, and agreeing to fundraising opportunities. They also lead weekly all-school meetings.
Middle school students have also created various committees and clubs to address more specific school activities, including a social group for planning dances and many kinds of clubs for gathering like-minded students. Teachers support students in these efforts, setting the stage for true student leadership. Past clubs have focused on politics, popular novels, and the study of ninjas.
Wellness
At Waverly, Wellness is a positive approach to living that emphasizes the whole person, not just a healthy lifestyle. It is the integration of body and mind and the appreciation that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an impact on our health.
In the seventh and eighth grades, the Wellness program is laced throughout the classroom teachings. A broad spectrum of exploration of health and well-being is covered. Nutrition and the effects of the Western diet on health are discussed. The long-term consequences of the myriad choices one can make as a teenager are addressed. Sex education is driven by student questions and films, such as “Teen Species” and “Teen Dreams,” are shared. We also engage speakers to share expertise on pertinent topics.