Athletic Philosophy

We recognize the important balance between academics and athletics and believe strongly that regular exercise, the development of skills, and interscholastic athletic competition play critical roles in a student’s growth. We stress the values of teamwork and cooperation, and students learn to cope respectfully and courteously in times of failure and disappointment as well as in times of success and mastery.

Athletic participation contributes to the development of a child’s self-esteem, confidence and overall character, and provides opportunities for leadership and success outside the classroom. We believe in and practice a 'no-cut' policy. Students do not try out for teams - if a desire to play exists, a student joins a team, earning playing time through dedication to practices and skills development.

Physical education is a daily class for Middle School students, designed to develop individual skills, increase cardiovascular strength and provide students with exposure to sport and play. Middle School students enjoy a wide variety of athletic team options including volleyball, cross country, soccer, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee and track & field.

Our Upper School teams play in the Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC) as part of the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA), Division 3. Middle School teams compete in a local Middle School schedule that minimizes long-distance travel to games. We field up to 18 sports teams per year, depending on student signup and interest, and club team options are sometimes available. Our student scholar athletes (and coaches) are selected regularly for all-conference and all-state honors, and our teams are frequent conference champions. Our Varsity Boys Cross Country team is currently the fastest private school team in the state, having won the state and conference titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025; in 2025 they not only won the Division III title, but also beat both the Division II and Division I teams by 34 points! Our Varsity Volleyball team won both the regular conference season and conference tournament championship in 2023 and the Varsity Girls' Soccer team and Varsity Boys' Soccer team have both had recent state tournament appearances. Our Varisty Boys' Basketball team won the 2025-2026 GPAC conference tournament championship.

List of 6 items.

Varsity Boys Win Conference Tournament

The Varsity Boys defeated Wakefield on the road 57-55 in the GPAC Conference Tournament finals to become the GPAC champions! They also qualified to participate in the VISAA State tournament.
MS Girls Win Grymes Invitational Tourney

Congratulations to the Middle School Girls Basketball team, Champions of the Inaugural Grymes Memorial School Invitational Tournament!
Tandem Runner Earns Fourth State Title

Runner Hayes B took gold in the 3200M at the VISAA State Indoor Track Meet, his second state title this year and fourth individual state title.
Senior Basketball Players Hit 1,000 Points

Senior Sean T and Senior Sin F both hit their 1,000th career points this season!
JV Boys Play Record Season

Congratulations to our JV Boys Basketball team on an incredible season - they finished the year with a 12-1 record, including big wins againt Monticello (twice), Blue Ridge and Miller.
Varsity XC Wins Third State Title

Our Varsity Boys XC team won their third consecutive state title (VISAA Division III) this fall - winning with enough points to outscore the Division I and II teams as well! Best in the state!!

Dave Levy, Athletic Director

If you have questions about athletics and your student, please email dlevy@tandemfs.org or call (434) 296-1303 x354.