Manchester Essex Regional High School is a member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) whose primary purpose is to organize, regulate, and promote interscholastic athletics for the secondary schools of Massachusetts.  Membership requires that Manchester Essex Regional High School agrees to abide by the rules of the association.

Interscholastic athletics is a vital part of the entire educational program offered at Manchester Essex Regional High School.  Educational athletics is viewed as an extension of the classroom that provides outstanding opportunities to teach life lessons. Through participation in such programs, student-athletes learn values and skills that help prepare them for the future. Leadership, goal setting, teamwork, perseverance, sacrifice, commitment, and overcoming adversity are inherent in the interscholastic framework and also supports the academic mission of MERSD. The athletic program shares with the other elements of a Manchester Essex education to contribute to the development of the whole child. Experience through athletic participation is an essential part of a holistic approach encompassing the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual elements of each student.