LEARNS Sports | Longfellow Middle School

Participation in sports has many benefits for young adolescents, both on and off the playing field.

Academic - Athletes have higher grades than non-athletes, even when socioeconomic status, gender, age, and family composition are taken into account.
Social and Emotional - Participation in sports requires middle school students to work as a team and be persistent to succeed. It also gives students access to positive role models, such as coaches and older players who can set positive examples.
Physical - Sports participation can improve motor skills and fitness in adolescents, who grow rapidly and might be physically awkward as a result.
Long-Term Outcomes - Sports also help adolescents develop lifelong habits of physical activity that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Sports offerings are dependent on enrollment and district policies each year. The 2025/26 sports:

Fall: Girls Volleyball, Coed Flag Football, and Cross Country
Winter: Girls Basketball, Coed Soccer, and Boys Basketball (late Winter)

Spring: Softball, Baseball, Coed Ultimate Frisbee, Boys volleyball (if there’s enough interest), and Track and Field.

Entire year: Tennis

The sign-up list for ALL sports and tryouts is posted on Ms. Denise’s office door. Students must sign up 2 weeks before tryouts or practices begin.

The sports programs at the Middle schools are a part of the LEARNS after-school program. If your student plays any sport in the LEARNS program, registration and monthly LEARNS fees are required while participating.
If you are only interested in athletics, most sports last 2 months
Please make sure to email lashondaroquemore@berkeley.net or latashamitchell@berkeley.net if your child is no longer participating in the LEARNS Sports Program. This will help prevent any additional program fees from being charged.

(Please email forms to denisedotson@berkeley.net or give them to the LEARNS office)

Team practices are held between 3-6 p.m., often with an hour-long homework period first.
All athletes participating in an after-school sport should be enrolled in LEARNS and are expected to sign in/out daily for all practices. Students who have late practice should sign in before practice and report to their assigned grade-level class to do homework or enrichment. Students with early practice start should sign in right after school and report to their assigned grade level class to do homework or enrichment.

Athletic Director Ms. Denise at denisedotson@berkeley.net

Can answer any sports-related questions.