The St. James Performance Academy Powered by TPH The St. James Performance Academy Powered by TPH

Opened in August 2024, The St. James Performance Academy is an innovative college preparatory sports academy designed to provide unparalleled development opportunities for dedicated middle and high school student-athletes. Inspired by the pursuit of excellence, the Academy utilizes best practices in guided learning, athletic coaching and development, and high performance to educate, inspire and develop the next generation of world class athletes and leaders.

Admissions Events


Parents and prospective student-athletes are invited to our Evaluation Days to meet our elite coaches and the Academy leadership team, and learn more about our tailored learning experience.

Virtual Open Houses

Join us for an in-depth presentation on the Academy's unique blend of academic and athletic programs and services for student-athletes in grades 5-12, who aspire to play and compete at the highest level of their respective sport.

All Sports: April 30 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM
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Team Tryouts

Football (Middle School): Sunday, April 27th | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Baseball: Saturday, May 3rd | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Wrestling: Sunday, May 4th | 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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Track & Field : Sunday, May 18th | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
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Leadership Team


Our dedicated educational leadership team is focused on helping student-athletes become the best versions of themselves, in and out of the classroom, on the court, diamond, field, pool or rink. We believe in leading by example and lay the groundwork for lessons and values that will last a lifetime.

Dr. Tere Hernandez-Acosta

Dr. Tere Hernandez-Acosta

Director of Academics

Dr.  Michelle Steiner
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Dr. Michelle Steiner

Academic Success Coach

Royce Sarpy

Royce Sarpy

Academic Success Coach

Elyse Graziano

Elyse Graziano

Chief Sports Officer

Sports Directors

Mateus Manoel
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Mateus Manoel

Director of Performance

Randy Cooper
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Randy Cooper

Director of Aquatics

Emanuel 'Book' Richardson
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Emanuel 'Book' Richardson

Director of Boys Basketball

Spencer Ford
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Spencer Ford

Director of Boys Lacrosse

Laveen Naidu
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Laveen Naidu

Director of Dance, Gymnastics & Cheer

Steve Bumbry
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Steve Bumbry

Director of Diamond Sports

Darryl Overton
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Darryl Overton

Director of Football

Tamika Dudley
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Tamika Dudley

Director of Girls Basketball

Stephy Samaras
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Stephy Samaras

Director of Girls Lacrosse

Tim Graham
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Tim Graham

Director of Hockey

Adam Baumgardner
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Adam Baumgardner

Director of Soccer

Josh Taylor
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Josh Taylor

Director of Squash

Maurice Hutton
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Maurice Hutton

Director of Track & Field

Nikki Mabrey
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Nikki Mabrey

Director of Volleyball

Jordan Murphy
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Jordan Murphy

Director of Wrestling


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    STUDY: Academic support and facilitation are provided in partnership with Virginia Virtual Academy and K12 Private School
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    TRAIN: High performance strength and conditioning training provided by The St. James
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    PLAY: Sport-specific training provided by The St. James

ACADEMICS AT STJ ACADEMY

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Each student's schedule is customized to ensure the right balance of academics, athletics and personal development.

8:05 AM | Arrival
8:10 AM | Academics
9:15 AM | Video/Warm-Up
10:00 AM | Sport-Specific Training
11:05 AM | High Performance Training
12:00 PM | Lunch/Break
12:50 PM | Academics
2:50 PM | Activity/Break
3:00 PM | Academics
4:00 PM | Departure

SAMPLE COURSEWORK

The St. James Performance Academy offers a rich and rigorous, college preparatory academic curriculum provided in partnership with TPH Academy.

  • English: Journalism, Public Speaking, Creative Writing, English Honors, AP® English Literature and Composition
  • History: Anthropology, Sociology II, World Geography, US Government & Politics, AP® US History, AP® Macroeconomics
  • Mathematics: Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry Honors, AP® Calculus AB
  • Science: Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, AP® Biology
  • World Languages: Spanish I, II, III, and French I, II, III
  • Electives: Principles of Business & Marketing, Personal Health, Criminology, Engineering Explorations, Web Design
  • Extracurriculars & Real World Experience: Clubs, Community Service, Guest Speakers, Field Trips, and more!

Athletics

We are committed to helping our student-athletes achieve their goals by providing a unique opportunity to train during normal school hours within a safe, competitive, and fun environment that includes:

  • Exceptional Coaching
  • Sport-Specific High Performance Training
  • Recovery Amenities
  • Nutritional Guidance

This holistic approach allows athletes to push the boundaries of their athletic potential, without compromising their educational pursuits.

Pro Sports Affiliations

The St. James Performance Academy has cultivated partnerships with the following professional sports teams to help support the development and advancement of Academy student-athletes: 

Chelsea FCWashington CapitalsWashington WizardsWashington MysticsPremier Lacrosse LeagueOld Glory DCLoudon United FC

COLLEGE PLACEMENTS

Recent TPH graduates have attended top universities for both athletic and academic purposes.

HarvardYaleBrown UniversityCornell UniversityDartmouthNotre Dame
University of MichiganUniversity of WisconsinBoston CollegeTufts UniversityBoston UniversityOhio State
University of GeorgiaNortheastern UniversityMichigan State UniversityPenn StateRPIUniversity of New Hampshire

EXPLORE OUR CAMPUS

Conveniently located in Springfield, VA, just outside Washington, DC, The St. James Flagship is a 450,000-square-foot indoor sports complex that offers best-in-class athletic training. Facility highlights include:

  • FIFA-regulation turf field
  • Two NHL-regulation ice rinks
  • Four NBA-regulation basketball courts convertible to volleyball courts
  • 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool
  • Eight international-regulation singles squash courts
  • Gymnastics training center with competition spring floor, deep foam training pits, Tumbl Trak, rod floors, and in-ground trampolines
  • State-of-the-art Performance Club with luxury locker rooms
  • Athletic Recovery Suite
  • On-site restaurant

FAQs

How is the Academic Infrastructure designed?

The St. James Performance Academy uses a hybrid-learning model blending online synchronized course work with in-person education support. 

Each Student Athlete learns from certified teachers through our customizable virtual platforms, with 24/7 access to virtual tutors. Our on-site Director of Academics and Success Coach(es) are additional resources who cultivate an environment conducive to learning. These multiple layers of support ensure that your Student Athlete receives a personalized academic plan, preparing them for the game of life.  

We have a 15:1 ratio of Students to Academic Success Coaches on-site. 

Do you support IEP's and 504's?

We can provide support for IEP's and 504's, and our learning environment is designed to support all types of learners and set each student-athlete up for success. Students must complete a determination meeting with our education partner to ensure we can meet their needs. 

What is the attendance policy?

This is one of the primary benefits of The St. James Performance Academy. Traditional systems are not conducive to the lifestyle of the aspiring, elite Student Athlete. We understand the travel that sports require and the toll that a season can take on a Student Athlete. The beauty of our platform is the flexibility we can provide by operating virtually. Need a recovery day? Stay home! You can do your course work from home, and our staff can send you a home workout. We believe our Student Athletes get the most out of their experience by attending on-site, but we understand that may not always be possible. That shouldn't mean school is interrupted, it is simply adapted to meet a Student Athlete's needs.

How do you balance the student-athlete's workload?

The St. James Performance Academy is constantly assessing our students' needs and customizing their workloads to best support their paths to success. We require our Student Athletes to fill out daily surveys tracking sleep, nutrition, injuries, and more, to provide a holistic view of their physical and mental health, and to assist our staff in accurately and effectively balancing their workload. 

Does The Performance Academy allow reclassing?

We will address the opportunity for reclassing on an individual case by case basis for each Student Athlete. Please email admissions@thestjames.com to set up a time to talk to Dr. Tere. 

Can I transfer into the Academy mid-year?

Yes, we can accept Academy transfers from September – March throughout the school year. Depending on where we are within our first semester, it may make sense for Student Athletes to wait and join us for the second semester. Families interested in addressing transfer requests should email admissions@thestjames.com.  

What does the sport-specific training look like?

For certain sports, we have enough Student Athletes to field competitive scholastic teams where Student Athletes will play against schools in regional and in some sports, national schedules. 

For other sports or for our Middle School athletes, there will be a larger focus on individual skill development, while athletes continue playing for their club team.  

How is strength and conditioning incorporated?

Our High Performance Department is led by Mateus Manoel. Our Student Athletes train four days a week with our coaches, focusing on sport-specific strength and agility training. The program layers in testing with Swift Laser Gates and VALD Force plates to provide a data-driven approach to training and development.  

How is Performance Nutrition incorporated?

Although Student Athletes are welcome to bring their lunches, we also offer a few options for on-site meals. We have a full-service restaurant, Vim & Victor, located inside the facility, that includes healthy and delicious options at an affordable price. We also have a partnership with Mighty Meals to provide access to a registered dietitian so athletes can get a better understanding of how to appropriately fuel their body with nutrients necessary to aid their development.  

How do you develop the whole Student Athlete?

At The St. James Performance Academy, we focus on Mental Performance, Injury Prevention, Recovery and Performance Nutrition. In addition to everyday support, we regularly bring in industry-leading experts to coach our Student Athletes and provide them with resources to use in their training and development.  

Does the Academy have a uniform?
Student-Athletes are issued three uniforms: a classroom uniform (STJ Academy polo with khaki shorts or pants), a high-performance training uniform, and a sport-specific training uniform. Ample time is built into the daily schedule for locker room access to shower and change as needed.
Will the Academy have social events such as Homecoming and Prom?

Yes, we can’t wait! We plan to host parent socials, Homecoming dances, Prom and Graduation celebrations.  

How does The St. James protect Student Athletes with technology infrastructure?

The St. James incorporates an advanced technology infrastructure to protect student athletes in several ways. These technologies are designed to monitor, analyze, and ensure the safety and well-being of athletes throughout their education and training.  Some key ways we protect student athletes with technology include: 

  1. Security cameras – The St James utilizes security cameras to ensure a safe environment for students and staff. 
  2. Access Control – Electronic key cards, scanners, and other smart security systems to control access to school buildings, ensuring that only authorized individuals enter certain areas, especially during after-school hours. 
  3. Content Filtering – The St James uses advanced software to block inappropriate content on a secured network used specifically for students. This technology ensures that student data remains private while connected to our network and protected from unauthorized access. 
More questions?

Please contact us to discuss your child and learn more about The St. James Performance Academy via email at admissions@thestjames.com.