Welcome back, Lakers!


On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2026-2027 school year! There is something special about the start of a new school year. There is nothing like the renewed energy on campus, the joy of reconnecting with friends and faculty, and the excitement of welcoming new students and families into our community. It is all the people who bring our school to life that makes WPS such an extraordinary place.  


Over the past few weeks, our faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing to make this an extraordinary year for every student. They have been eager to welcome our Lakers and begin another year of learning, discovery, and growth together.


We have been thinking about what it means to be a Laker: who we are, what we value, and who we aspire to become. This year, we will explore these questions through three words: inclusive, inquirers, and innovative. Lakers are inclusive, building a community and academic program where every person feels known, valued, and supported. Lakers are inquirers, approaching the world with curiosity and a desire to understand. Lakers are innovative, using creativity, courage, and collaboration to imagine new possibilities. These qualities are not just descriptions of who we are; they are aspirations we bring to life through the choices we make, the ways we treat one another, and our commitment to learning and growing together.


That idea connects beautifully with our IB Learner Profile trait for August: Open-Minded. At WPS, being open-minded means more than listening to different perspectives. It means approaching new people, experiences, and ideas with genuine curiosity. It means having the confidence to reconsider our assumptions and the courage to grow through what we discover. As we begin this year, I encourage every Laker to step beyond what is familiar to make a new connection, explore a new interest, listen to another point of view, and embrace the opportunities ahead.


Each member of our community will help complete the statement “Lakers Are…” through their words and actions this year. 


Are you ready?


Here’s to a joyful and inspiring year of learning, community, and Laker pride!


Mr. Alex Birchenall

Head of School

IMPORTANT

DATES

August 24, 2026

  • Middle School Back to School Night

August 25, 2026

  • High School Back to School Night

August 26, 2026

  • Lower School Back to School Night

September 7, 2026

  • NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
 

The WPS Student/Parent Handbook needs to be reviewed annually by all students and their families. Your acknowledgment is essential for our records.


Please:


  1. Review the WPS Student/Parent Handbook here.
  2. Submit this Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgment Form no later than August 21, 2026.


Important:


Check your email inbox for a message from Windermere Preparatory School titled:


"Review & Submit: 2026-2027 WPS Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgement". This email contains your iSams Family ID Number, which you will need to complete the form.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in your child’s division through our Butler newsletters, posted every Friday at 5 PM on myWPS!



The first edition of the year goes live tomorrow, Friday, August 14—don’t miss this go-to resource for the week ahead!

FLIK Independent School Dining is serving up more choices for our middle and high school students this year! In addition to their healthy and delicious daily hot lunch selections, FLIK has introduced two new options available each day: Greens & Grains and Melt’d.


Greens & Grains

Students can create their own fresh salad or grain bowl with crisp greens, seasonal vegetables, wholesome grains, lean proteins, fresh toppings, and house-made dressings. Whenever possible, FLIK features locally sourced produce from regional farms, bringing fresh, seasonal ingredients to campus while supporting our local community.


Melt’d

Melt’d features a rotating variety of premium sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads made with quality meats, cheeses, and fresh ingredients. Selections include Italian hoagies, Cuban sandwiches, grown-up grilled cheese, chicken bacon ranch, turkey brunch wraps, chicken pesto flatbreads, roasted vegetable options, and more. Sandwiches are available daily and can be toasted on the panini press for a warm, crispy finish, with vegetarian choices offered each day.


We’re excited for our Lakers to enjoy even more fresh, flavorful choices from FLIK this school year!

SPORTS OFFERINGS AT WPS (Grades 6-12)*


FALL SPORTS

Please Note: If the tryout date is not indicated below, the date will be communicated to students and parent/guardian by email closer to the start of the season.

Sideline Cheer - MS / Varsity


Football - Junior High 8-Man Tackle (Grades 6-9) / Varsity 11-Man Tackle (Grades 8-12)


Girls Golf - Varsity

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • Tryouts: Monday, August 17 at Stoneybrook West
  • Warmup: 3:30 - 4:15 pm
  • Tryouts Begin: 4:30 pm
  • Parent Meeting to follow tryouts
  • Head Coach: Ken Kim kpgapro@myejga.com

Boys Golf - JV / Varsity

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • Tryouts: Started Wednesday, August 12 at 3:00 pm and continue today, Thursday, August 13 at 4:00 pm at Stoneybrook West
  • Golfers will play 9 holes each day
  • Head Coach: Kyle McClone mcclonezone@gmail.com


Swim - Varsity

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • Tryouts: Start today, Thursday, August 13 & continue tomorrow, Friday, August 14, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
  • Parent Meeting: Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 pm in the Laker Cafe
  • Head Coach: Larry Jukes larryjukes@lakerswim.com


Girls Indoor Volleyball - MS Blue / MS Red / JV / Varsity 

  • Open to Grades 6-12
  • JV and Varsity tryouts: Completed
  • MS tryouts: Started August 11 & continue today, Thursday, August 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
  • Program Director: Beth Roe (beth.roe@windermereprep.com)


Cross Country - MS / Varsity


WINTER SPORTS

Competitive Cheer - Varsity


Boys Basketball - 6th / 7th / 8th / Freshman / JV / Varsity


Girls Basketball - MS / Varsity

Boys Soccer - MS / JV / Varsity


Girls Soccer - MS / Varsity


Girls Weightlifting - Varsity

SPRING SPORTS

Baseball - MS / Varsity


Beach Volleyball - Varsity


Boys Lacrosse - MS / Varsity


Girls Lacrosse - MS / Varsity


Softball - Varsity

Boys Tennis - MS / JV / Varsity


Girls Tennis - MS / JV / Varsity


Track and Field - MS / Varsity


Boys Weightlifting - Varsity

*Team offerings may vary based on the number of participants.

The 2026 Football Schedule is HERE!


A new season. New challenges. One goal.


HOME SCHEDULE:


  • August 28 - Taylor Pierson
  • September 11 - Faith Christian
  • September 25 - Trinity Prep (LS Game)
  • October 16 - All Saints (Senior Night / HC)


Full schedule available at wpsathletics.com.


Schedule subject to change.

Our Fall BSN Team Shops are now open! Whether you're looking for team gear or everyday Laker apparel, there's something for everyone. We encourage our student-athletes, families, alumni, and fans to show their Laker pride throughout the year by supporting our teams in WPS gear.


View all of our Fall BSN Team Shops here. 

We are excited to begin another year of Laker Athletics and look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete, grow, and represent Windermere Prep throughout the year.


As we prepare for the start of the fall season, we wanted to share a few important reminders and updates.


FHSAA Eligibility


Before participating in practices or competitions, all student-athletes must have their required FHSAA paperwork completed through Magnus Health. This includes athletic physicals and all required eligibility forms. Student-athletes with incomplete paperwork will not be permitted to participate until everything has been submitted and approved.


If you have any questions regarding FHSAA eligibility or the required paperwork, please contact Cheryl Coppolella at Cheryl.Coppolella@windermereprep.com or Robert O'Quinn at Robert.Oquinn@windermereprep.com. We are happy to assist you through the process.


For additional information regarding athletic eligibility, required forms, transfer policies, and other frequently asked questions, please review our WPS Athletics Eligibility & Compliance Presentation. 


Facility Improvements


We continue to invest in our athletic facilities to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes. Over the summer, several projects were completed, including:


  • Renovated locker rooms
  • Resurfaced tennis courts
  • New sound systems installed in both the Lakers Gymnasium and Lakers Field
  • A new roof over the baseball batting cages
  • New starting blocks at the pool


These improvements reflect our continued commitment to providing first-class facilities for our student-athletes, coaches, and families.


Hudl TV Livestreams


Can't make it to campus? Many of our home athletic contests will once again be available live on Hudl TV, allowing family and friends to follow the Lakers from anywhere. In addition to live broadcasts, fans can also access schedules, scores, highlights, and on-demand replays throughout the year.


Watch the Lakers all season long here. 


Supporting Our Student-Athletes


One of the things that makes WPS Athletics special is the incredible support our student-athletes receive from our families and community. As we begin another school year, I ask that we all do our part to create a positive environment at every athletic event.


Please cheer enthusiastically, encourage all of our student-athletes, and demonstrate respect for coaches, officials, opponents, and fellow spectators. Athletics should be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved, and the atmosphere we create has a lasting impact on our student-athletes. Together, we can continue to make WPS one of the best places to compete by modeling the sportsmanship, class, and respect that define our school.


Stay Connected


Be sure to stay connected with WPS Athletics throughout the year for schedules, scores, news, livestreams, team information, and highlights.


Athletics Website:

www.wpsathletics.com


Instagram:

@wps_lakers


Thank you for your continued support of WPS Athletics. We are looking forward to another outstanding year and can't wait to see everyone on the sidelines, in the stands, and cheering on the Lakers.


Go Lakers!

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