Where We Play: How Local Schools Help PPA Players Thrive
- The PPA Team
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Every season, hundreds of families across DC and Montgomery County choose PPA as their youth sports home, and it all starts with the schools.
Whether it’s a team of friends repping their elementary school together or a free agent placed on a welcoming roster, our Development Program is built around the local communities that families trust most. We coach at schools, practice at schools, and even host game days at schools. From Lafayette to Charles E. Smith, Maret to Georgetown Day School, PPA’s growth is a direct reflection of the families and school communities who continue to show up season after season.
Last school year alone, over 250 teams registered in our Development Soccer and Hoops programs, with dozens of players coming from schools like Janney, Hearst, Wyngate, and Westbrook. Let’s take a closer look at some of the schools that anchor our seasons, and the different ways PPA shows up for them.
Lafayette Elementary: A Neighborhood Staple
With almost 20 teams and over 120 players Lafayette Elementary continues to be a cornerstone of the PPA community, especially in Soccer. Families regularly form teams with classmates, neighbors, and siblings across grades, making it one of the most consistent and community-driven schools in our program. Lafayette players often practice close to home, and with so many classmates involved, it's one of the top schools where families opt to "form a team" together. Several families have even moved into basketball, summer camps, and on our Premier teams as their players grow older.
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School: A Full-Circle Partnership
Our relationship with Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS) goes beyond Saturday games. PPA also runs a dedicated After School Soccer Program at CESJDS, offering students a chance to receive structured coaching, build skills, and stay active with friends—right on campus during the school week.
This Fall, many of those same students are joining Development League teams for the first time. With over 10 CESJDS families registered, and more participating through our afterschool program, this partnership is helping young athletes build confidence and community.
Interested in bringing our after school sports program to your school? Email ali@ppateam.com to learn more.
Maret School: A Home Base for Play and Progress
It’s not just students repping Maret at PPA. Our Premier Hoops Administrator, Bria Dupree, also serves as Maret’s Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach, making her a familiar and trusted presence for many families in the community.
PPA regularly hosts Development Hoops practices and Summer Camps at Maret, creating consistent opportunities for students to grow their skills on campus. Many Maret players participate in both Soccer and Hoops, and several have transitioned into PPA’s Premier pathway for year-round competition.
Georgetown Day School: Community Through Competition
Georgetown Day School is one of PPA’s key site partners, frequently hosting weekend Game Days for our Development Hoops program. Its central location and high-quality gym make it an ideal setting for youth games. This past school year, GDS families formed teams in multiple seasons, and participation has spanned both Soccer and Hoops. We’re proud to offer a safe and structured space that families know and trust.
Built Around Families and Built to Last
Parents consistently tell us what they love about the Development Program: the organization, the structure, and how easy it is to play with friends. Whether you're forming your own team or signing up solo, the options are there.
And it shows in the data:
Over 200 teams registered for Development Soccer across the 2024–25 school year
More than 60 basketball teams participated during the same span
Several afterschool partnerships, and growing each season
This isn’t just weekend rec sports. It’s a full-circle experience built around community, growth, and opportunity.
Ready to Play With Classmates?
Whether your child is looking to join a team of friends, find a new activity at their school, or take the next step in their athletic journey, PPA makes it easy to join a trusted, school-centered program.
The Development Program is open to all players ages 5–13, with multiple seasons each year in both Soccer and Hoops. Whether you're returning or brand new, we’ve got options to fit your school, schedule, and level of play.
Your school plays here—and your child can too.
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