The Baldwin School participates in cross-school athletic and art programs through The Inter-Academic League, which consists of nine schools in the Philadelphia area. Baldwin joined the Inter-Ac in the late 1900s, when the Girls-Inter-Ac Athletic Association was founded for three all-girls schools. Baldwin’s longtime involvement in the Inter-Ac raises the question: how does the Inter-Ac continue to benefit Baldwin student life today, or has it become an outdated league?

One of the most prominent aspects of the Inter-Ac is its athletics. Abigail Ahn ‘28 is a member of the Athletic Association at Baldwin and plays a variety of sports, including cross country, basketball, and lacrosse. She explained that the Inter-Ac can be very competitive, but it is still beneficial for Baldwin sports.

“There are really good teams in the Inter-Ac, and so even though we might not be the top team, we get to play really good teams that make us better,” Ahn said. 

 Additionally, despite the external competition, Ahn emphasized how the team aspect and community at Baldwin creates a lower-pressure environment for students to train and compete in.

“When you’re going to an all-girls school, we actually are supported by the community just as much [as teammates],” says Ahn. 

As an all-girls school, students at Baldwin have the advantage of being prioritized in every field, which is essential in sports. In co-ed schools, it isn’t uncommon for girls’ teams to be overshadowed by their male counterparts. 

Beyond athletics, the Inter-Ac community offers students opportunities to explore and develop a wide range of interests, including arts.

Ming Nelson ‘29 has been participating in theatre programs in the Inter-Ac since she was in 6th grade. 

Nelson feels that in the Inter-Ac’s larger productions across multiple schools, competition is more prevalent amongst performers. Students from multiple schools compete for the same roles, and the result is not necessarily better.

However, despite the increased competition for parts, Nelson notes that these shows are ultimately what cultivated her love for theater and expanded her social life.

“I get to connect with girls not just at Baldwin, but also at other Inter-Ac schools,” Nelson said. 

Nelson also emphasized that her performances have always been well appreciated by students and faculty, regardless of whether it’s an Inter-Ac or Baldwin-only production. 

Avni Pande ‘26 offered a different perspective on the competition between schools. She touched on the beneficial role that Inter-Ac rivalries play. 

For those looking to be recruited for athletics, rivalries between schools can create opportunities for students to draw attention from recruiters. For example, Pande brings up how scoring the winning goal against a rival Inter-Ac school will highlight an athlete’s talent. 

Overall, the Inter-Ac league provides students with opportunities to grow and collaborate beyond Baldwin’s campus. Despite increased competition, it remains a valuable and essential part of student life. 

As Pande said, “There’s pros and cons, but [the Inter-Ac] makes our season.”