We are a program that is 17 athletic programs and 44 state championships strong. We are a Division II school in the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA). Our girls teams compete in the League of Independent Schools (LIS) while our boys compete in the Virginia Prep League (VPL).

Athletic participation at The Covenant School is both a privilege and an important part of a student's education. We believe that the building blocks of a strong athletics program include: missional focus, relentless effort, sportsmanship, individual and team development, and competitive excellence. While winning is valued, there is an overriding emphasis on character formation. A majority of our students participate on at least one athletic team, while many students participate in multiple seasons. We pride ourselves on the quality of our coaching staff, the camaraderie of our teams, and the enjoyment that athletics provides to the Covenant community.

Meet the Athletic Director

Patrick Estes brings a wealth of experience in athletics and leadership to Covenant. As a former football player for the University of Virginia, Patrick was drafted by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, where he played for three years. In alignment with Covenant’s mission, Patrick will develop and implement a strategic plan for the Athletic Department that will serve as the roadmap for the pursuit of athletic excellence. Patrick is married to Lauren, a second-grade teacher at our Birdwood Campus, and they have three children, all of whom attend Covenant: Kaleb (’27), Noah (’28), and Reese (’30).

List of 8 items.

  • 17

    Athletic Programs

  • 42

    State Championships

  • 75

    Conference Championships

  • 78

    Christian Coaches

  • 3.4

    Average Athletic GPA

  • 97

    Collegiate Student Athletes

  • 1

    Olympic Gold Medalist

  • 542

    Adoring Student Fans

    • Jon Vaughan

      Athletic Trainer

Jon Vaughan has had the joy of being an athletic trainer for 20 years, with experience at the professional, collegiate, and high school levels. He is board certified nationally and state licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. He graduated from James Madison University and continued his professional studies with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Kinesio University. Jon served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Gallaudet University, the global leader in the education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students; he is currently a member of the USA Deaflympics medical team and is an active advocate and ally within the Deaf community He also served as a clinical instructor for the athletic training programs at George Washington University, George Mason University, Shenandoah University, and Central Michigan University and he is currently a preceptor with the UVA. He comes to us with cultural experiences from his work across the globe. Jon aspires to recognize the Imago Dei in each student-athlete and show the love of God through sports medicine.

    • Ed Nordenschild

      Strength and Conditioning

Ed Nordenschild joins Covenant Athletics as our first-ever Strength and Conditioning Coach after more than 30 years of practicing at the collegiate level, including over 20 years at UVA. Nordenschild earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas-Arlington in 1993 and a master’s degree in kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology from the University of Texas in 1995. Coach Nordenschild is responsible for the planning and implementation of fitness goals for individual student-athletes and their teams. He is certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the United States Weightlifting Federation.

Athletic News

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Coaching Opportunities

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Birdwood Campus

Lower School   |   Pre-K–Grade 5
1000 Birdwood Road Charlottesville, VA 22903
434.220.7309

Hickory Campus

Middle and Upper School   |   Grades 6–12
175 Hickory Street Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.220.7329
Located in Charlottesville, VA, The Covenant School is a non-denominational, private, Christian day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, visual and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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