Athletics
Athletics at APA
Athletics play an integral part in the life of the Arendell Parrott Academy student body with over 80 percent of students in grades 6-12 participating in one or more sports. Students find ways to participate in the athletic program as players, cheerleaders, managers, statisticians, or film assistants. Through practice and competition, students develop group spirit, enhance individual physical skills, and engender "Patriot Pride."
The campus has fields for football, soccer, softball, baseball, and lacrosse. Six tennis courts are used for practices and matches. Ellis-Simon Gymnasium at the Donald L. Henson, Sr. Sports Complex has locker facilities for boys and girls, and a college-sized basketball court. The Monk Austin Student Activity Center has two additional locker rooms and a basketball court for practice and Middle School basketball games. The Minges Field House provides four additional locker rooms. The state-of-the-art Lee Fitness Center houses equipment and free weights. The cross-country team uses a practice course on campus. Our partnership with the Kinston Community Center provides our swim team the opportunity to practice and hold meets at that facility.
The Academy is a member of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA), which offers opportunities for competition against other private and independent schools from across the state. Regionally, the school is affiliated with the Big Eight Conference (BIG8) for eight-man football and the Coastal Plains Independent Conference (CPIC) for most other sports. Membership in these organizations ensures the Academy is maintaining an athletic program of the highest quality.
Support is a core component of Arendell Parrott Academy's athletic tradition. Parental support is an integral and necessary part of our athletic success. We strongly encourage our parents to join the Patriot Club, our booster club.
Message from the Athletic Director
The athletics program is an essential component of Parrott's approach to developing well-rounded individuals. As in academic pursuits, we strive for excellence, instill values, and develop character. We encourage personal responsibility, development of interpersonal skills, foster communications skills between peers and coaches, and teach non-cognitive skills that are invaluable to all young adults.
Our exceptional coaching staff has combined to win 16 state championships throughout their coaching careers and most have received local, state, and/or national coaching honors. We have prepared a multitude of high school athletes to play at the next level, including many Division I, II & III college athletes. We are proud of our tradition of excellence in athletics but emphasize the most significant benefit of athletic participation at Parrott Academy is the development and nurturing of sportsmanship, character, and leadership skills.
We field over 35 teams in 16 sports beginning in 6th grade and continuing through the Varsity level, including a Competitive Shooting Team. Over 80 percent of our students play one sport and sixty percent play multiple sports. Our state-of-the-art athletic complex includes two indoor gyms, a lighted football stadium, lighted soccer, baseball and lacrosse fields, and a softball field. Our active booster club provides various game-day support functions, such as staffing concession stands and organizing tailgate events. Athletics are a vital and important part of a Parrott education.