Health and Wellness
Our diverse, inclusive, and differentiated program fosters our students' mental, physical, and social and emotional health.
Exposure to a wide variety of sports, activities, lessons, and readings teaches students the importance of health, physical activity, teamwork, and lifelong fitness. Our mantra—the Latin saying "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano" ("a sound mind in a sound body")—greets students on their way into the Field House. Our health and wellness programming develops the character of our students.
Mindfulness
The Haverford School offers mindfulness courses as part of the Upper School physical education curriculum, and guides breathing exercises in the Lower and Middle Schools.
The three successive mindfulness sessions are:
- The science of mindfulness: how does it work?
- Mindfulness and performance: how do athletes and artists use this technique to enhance their performance?
- Thought-watching: how do you immerse yourself in your surroundings, and focus on a single thought?
Faculty and staff are also encouraged to utilize mindfulness. In the past, they've participated in a mindfulness-base stress reduction class with Dr. Michael Baime of the University of Pennsylvania to support their day-to-day work with the boys.
Highlights
The Haverford School's indoor climbing wall promotes team-building, collaboration, and problem solving.
The co-ed Upper School Human Relationships course explores identity and gender issues, as well as human sexuality.
The Upper School Peer Counseling program is a signature experience that promotes deep listening.
Third graders practice swimming as part of Physical Education.
