Sports & Athletics

Developing a love and passion for sports and athletics starts no matter what grade you enter Shanghai American School. We have full-time athletic trainers, extensive fitness centers, unmatched facilities and dedicated coaches to maximize the athletic performances of our students. But what’s most important is the development of the students themselves. This development is guided by the expectations of the Eagle Code: Gratitude, Respect and Engagement. These qualities will benefit our students long after their days here at SAS. 

In elementary school, we kick things off with an exciting introduction to sports through our after-school activities. With three seasons of after-school fun throughout the year, students get to sample a smorgasbord of sports and activities, sparking passions that can carry them into middle school and beyond.

Middle school is where the action heats up. Our students dive into the China International School Sports Association (CISSA), a league we helped launch back in 2000. Here, they get their first taste of real competition and top-notch coaching in activities like touch rugby, soccer, cross country, floor hockey and swimming. 

High school ramps things up even more, offering 13 different sports on each campus—think baseball, volleyball, badminton, and golf, to name a few. Ever dreamt of playing competitive softball in Japan or acing tennis matches in Hong Kong? For our students, this dream is a reality, thanks to the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC). This league lets Shanghai American School students compete with international schools across Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, and beyond. We’ve been rocking APAC since we helped found it in 1995, racking up well over 100 championships along the way.

From elementary to high school, our program serves up a full menu of opportunities for students to travel, compete, and push their limits.

Our aquatics are cross-river and cross-divisional, covering both the competitive and the curricular. The Shanghai American School swimming program isn't just for students who are seasoned swimmers, but for newbies who are just learning to dip their toes in water, too. Participation in swimming activities starts at the Pre-K level. From there, students experience pool time through PE classes or competitively through the swim team. 

Did we mention we have two 25-meter swimming pools? Or that our teaching & coaching staff is certified with the American Swim Coaches Association and Swimming Coaches and Teachers Australia? Our student swimmers have even gone on to swim for Stanford and Yale, among others. SAS may stand for Shanghai American School, but we're considering changing that to Serious About Swimming.