Athletics is considered an important part of The O’Neal School curriculum. For the most part, students may begin participating on sports teams in the seventh grade. At the high school level, close to 90% of O’Neal's upper school students compete on a varsity or junior varsity team at least one season during the year.
The athletics program consists of fall, winter and spring sports. Sports include: Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Golf and Swimming. A cheerleading program takes place during basketball season.
Strength and conditioning sessions in O’Neal’s sports performance center with a certified instructor are a part of every team’s weekly practice schedule. Student-athletes also have an athletic trainer available on campus to meet their needs.
O’Neal teams play in the Triangle Triad (TRI-TAC) Conference of the
North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association and compete in the 2A division. The School has won the Wachovia Cup (now Wells Fargo Cup) for overall athletic excellence seven times in the past twenty years.
Involvement in the athletics program calls for a commitment. Practices and games are often held on school holidays and breaks as well as weekends from time to time. Players are expected to attend.