By Elise Carlson,
Athletic Health and Performance Coordinator
When students returned to campus after winter break in January 2026, they were welcomed by one of the most exciting additions to Miami Country Day School’s campus: the Woodhouse Athletic Center. Designed to support student wellness, education opportunities, and athletic development, the new facility has quickly become a hub of activity for Spartans of all ages. The complex represents a transformative investment in the health, wellness, and performance of every Spartan. Designed to serve students across all divisions, the center has quickly become one of the most active and dynamic spaces on campus.
From early morning workouts to evening team training sessions, the Woodhouse Athletic Center is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.. Throughout the day, the building is filled with students, whether they are participating in physical education, training with a team, taking a wellness-focused elective, or simply learning how to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
While many might think of the building as primarily a space for athletes, its mission extends far beyond varsity sports. The center was intentionally designed as a campus-wide wellness hub, ensuring that every Spartan benefits from its resources, whether they compete on a team or not.
A Comprehensive Athletic Health and Performance Program
At the core of the Woodhouse Athletic Center lies the Athletic Health and Performance Department (AHP)—an integrated system uniting athletic trainers and strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches. AHP is led by athletic trainer Elise Carlson, with support from assistant athletic trainer Isabella Carter—both Barry graduates with nearly 20 years of combined experience—who deliver comprehensive, athlete-centered care grounded in six pillars: professional responsibility, prevention, assessment and diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, emergency response, and rehabilitation. Carlson shared, together, we are entrusted with elevating athlete performance while safeguarding their health, longevity, and overall well-being. Our mission extends beyond competition, instilling lifelong habits that endure well past athletic careers.
We go far beyond the sidelines, treating the whole athlete by addressing training, recovery, nutrition, sleep, and mental well-being, recognizing that true performance is built from within.
Our state-of-the-art space, nicknamed “The House”, designed by our innovative S&C staff, which Sorinex’s architect/design team brought to life, allows for a highly targeted approach to performance. Our coaches are equipped with technology such as VALD force decks, Ancore resistance pulleys, and Gym Aware velocity-based equipment to enhance every aspect of athletic development—movement, strength, power, and mobility. This gives us the ability to test and show our athletes in real time force production, joint range of motion, and muscle performance.
The AHP Department is anchored by a highly experienced professional S&C staff: Aris Atoa, Daniel Marks Jr., Elmer Palmer, Marcus Sumpter, and Daniel Carlson—bringing a combined 70+ years of expertise across all levels of sport and exercise health and wellness.
Our S&C coaches design sport-specific programs for every phase of the year—off-season, pre-season, in-season, and post-season—ensuring athletes are performing optimally. They strategically guide athletes to peak strength and power when it matters most, while maintaining progress throughout the year. Just as sport coaches are trusted to lead practice, our S&C coaches are trusted to deliver precise, effective programming that drives results. This process also plays a critical role in the return-to-play process (RTP), making consistent communication between athletic trainers and strength coaches essential. Our programming follows a long-term athletic development model, emphasizing movement quality in younger athletes and progressing into strength, power, and performance training at the high school level. Being the head of the AHP Department has been a dream come true and has established Miami Country Day School as the premier school to attend for athletic health and performance.
A Facility for Every Spartan
From the youngest students to graduating seniors, Spartans interact with the Woodhouse Athletic Center in meaningful ways. Lower School students use the facility for Physical Education, introducing them early to the importance of movement, strength, and healthy habits. These early experiences help students build confidence through physical activity and develop a positive relationship with fitness from a young age.
Middle School students can access the facility before and after school, while Upper School students may use the space during independent study periods as well as outside the school day. Faculty members also have access to the facility, reinforcing the idea that wellness is a shared priority for the entire MCDS community.
The Woodhouse Athletic Center also serves as the primary training hub for Spartan athletic teams and is the home court for the volleyball and basketball teams. After school, the facility remains active until 8:00 p.m., with teams incorporating strength and conditioning sessions into their practice routines. In addition, students who want to further develop their strength and conditioning skills can join the Weightlifting Club, led by Coach Marks. Open to both Middle School and Upper School students, the club provides a structured environment for students to build strength, learn proper lifting techniques, and support one another in achieving personal goals.
Inside the facility, students train using state-of-the-art equipment designed to support both performance and safety. The Woodhouse Athletic Center includes many ways to motivate students, including deadlifts, squats, and bench press leaderboards, along with four digital screens that track progress and inspire students to reach their potential.
The facility also features full-service locker rooms, giving athletes a central home base on campus where they can prepare for training, recover after workouts, and build camaraderie with teammates.
Just as wellness is a year-round pursuit, the “House” is active twelve months a year.
The Summer Off-Season Training Program provides a comprehensive approach to athlete training through an 8-week program focused on the total development of the athlete, including strength, speed, power, and movement quality. Training will take place Monday–Friday from 3:00–7:00 PM.
During the summer program, athletes will undergo performance testing, including laser-timed 20-yard sprints and 5-10-5 agility, as well as a lower-body power assessment using VALD ForceDecks. Athletes will also train using velocity-based training (VBT) devices to create a more competitive and data-driven lifting environment.
A Culture of Wellness
While the Woodhouse Athletic Center supports physical education and competitive athletics, its larger purpose is to cultivate a culture of wellness across the entire school community. On any given day, more than half of the student body utilizes the facility, whether through classes, team training, clubs, or independent workouts.
The center helps students understand that physical fitness is not simply about competition or performance, it is about balance, strength, and well-being. By learning how to care for their bodies and minds, students develop habits that support them not only during their time at MCDS but throughout their lives.
A Lasting Impact
The opening of the Woodhouse Athletic Center represents far more than a new building. It is a statement about the school’s commitment to every student, every day, recognizing that physical health, mental resilience, and personal discipline are essential components of a well-rounded education and rooted in the Country Day philosophy.
Through its innovative programming, expert staff, and inclusive design, the Woodhouse Athletic Center ensures that every Spartan has access to tools that support lifelong wellness.
As students continue to train, learn, and grow within its walls, the Woodhouse Athletic Center will shape the Spartan experience for years to come. It is a space where students challenge themselves, support one another, and develop habits that will carry them far beyond graduation.
For generations of Spartans, the Woodhouse Athletic Center will stand as a powerful reminder that strength, wellness, and community are at the heart of the MCDS experience.
