All students in grades nine through twelve are required to have an afternoon commitment every trimester, or for all twelve athletic seasons in the Upper School. Students must elect a school athletic offering or performing arts offering each season. In the Upper School, students may choose a performing arts offering for a maximum of two seasons a year in fulfillment of the athletic requirement. A student may seek an Athletic Waiver to design an alternative athletic program outside the school offerings, no more than one season per year. These waivers must meet Athletic Department approval that is based upon the philosophy and intent of the athletic program as articulated above. Petition for a special waiver must be presented to the Director of Athletics, the Head of School, and the Head of Upper School four weeks prior to the start of each season and include the following criteria: a waiver request form, the time commitment required, and contact information of the supervisor for the athletic alternative. An acceptable waiver must meet all of the following criteria:

It must be:

• an athletic activity that NYA does not offer
• a serious time commitment, regular and well organized
• supervised in a manner deemed safe and appropriate

All new Upper School students must participate in a fall interscholastic sport. In addition, ninth and tenth graders are not eligible for waivers. This is required in order to help students meet one another and become acclimated to the school. Exceptions to the Upper School athletic requirement are made by petition for a special waiver to the Director of Athletics, the Head of School and the Head of Upper School. They are granted only under extraordinary circumstances, including medical necessity.