Renaissance Sports

Renaissance Academy Charter School elementary students are required to join in a minimum of three after school Team Activities including at least two sports. Listed below are the choices available; practices/games are arranged so that it is possible to join more than one team in a season. Renaissance Academy offers the following:

Renaissance Academy sports programs are designed to provide our students with a positive athletic experience with emphasis on team play, fundamentals, and good sportsmanship; and to stress the importance of both physical and academic development as part of a quality education.

Renaissance competes in and outside of the PAC Athletic Conference with teams in Porter County and LaPorte County in Northwest Indiana, and Berrien County in Southwest Michigan. In addition the school participates in the CYO Cross-Country and Track Meets.

Transportation is not provided by Renaissance. Parents must drive children or arrange a carpool.

Boys and Girls in grades K-8 are welcome to join in cross-country with practices once per week for grades K-6 and 3 times per week (in conjunction with soccer) for students in grades 7- 8. Junior High, grades 7-8, students in cross-country automatically participate on our soccer team as part of their athletic program. Practices are generally held at Creek Ridge Park and Patriot Park. K- 8th graders compete in a 3-5 meet schedule held on Saturdays in September and early October. Kindergarten students run approx. 400 Meters, 1st-4th grade run 1 Kilometer, 5th and 6th grade run 2 Kilometers, and 7th and 8th grade run 3 Kilometers. Students compete against all the other schools in the PAC and each race is split into 5 grade divisions. In addition, the 5th – 8th graders participate in the CYO Cross-Country Meet and other invitational events. Emphasis is placed on cardiovascular fitness, running form, team building, and the basics of competitive running.

Boys and Girls in grades 1 through 8 learn the fundamentals of basketball and compete starting at the end of November and play through the end of February. 1st – 3rd graders enjoy and introductory program with, generally, one to two practices per week and three or four games per season. Students on the 4th-6th grade, and 7th-8th grade teams advance in skills, teamwork, and competition with up to four practices/games per week. Practices are held at the Naval Armory in Michigan City. Renaissance basketball teaches motion offense and zone defense, with man to man being added as skills evolve. Emphasis is placed on fundamentals, team building, and cardiovascular fitness.

Boys and Girls in grades 1-8 can join golf as an enriching athletic activity. Golf generally meets at the Michigan City Golf Course where students join in group lessons given by the pros and then work up to playing a shortened course. The season begins at the end of April and runs through May. A parent or adult chaperone is required to accompany students for a minimum of two practices during the season. Older students may be invited to compete in an area Invitational Tournament. Emphasis is placed on fundamentals, form, and enjoyment of the game.

Boys and Girls in grades 4th through 8th compete in the CYO track meet and a PAC qualifying meet in addition to other invitational events. Track events including most of the running events except hurdles, and field events except pole vault. Practice is at LaLumiere High School Track with the season beginning the end of March and running through the middle of May. Emphasis is placed on fundamentals, form, execution, team building, and overall fitness.

Boys and Girls in grades 1 through 8 are invited to join the Renaissance Wizards Chess Team. All players can compete in several tournaments held on Saturdays in local and surrounding areas including Michigan City, New Buffalo, and Hammond. Players can earn points through active involvement, skills, and competition to earn a place on the traveling school teams that enter the Regional Team Competition in Goshen and, hopefully qualifying for the State Team Tournament in Terre Haute. The chess club begins in November and meets weekly at school until the State Team Tournament in April. Emphasis is placed on chess fundamentals, logical thinking, advanced board vision, team building, and enjoyment of the game.

Boys and Girls in grades 6 – 8 may join the Renaissance Wizards Science Olympiad Team. As the name implies, the Science Olympiad is modeled after the Olympic Games. Participating schools field a team of 15 students who placed on prepare to compete in a variety of science events at the Regional and State competitions. Nearly all of the events are hands-on, making them more meaningful and FUN to the students. Renaissance students participate in weekly meetings and workshops (more often as the competition approaches) to increase their scientific knowledge base and prepare for the games.