Physical Education

The goal of physical education is to provide a fun and engaging environment where students develop a positive association with physical activity. The curriculum is designed to build physical literacy, helping students move competently and confidently in a variety of contexts. In P.E. classes, students experience success, acceptance, security, understanding, and self-care. They work collaboratively to solve problems, overcome challenges, and practice safe body movements while becoming more effective and versatile movers. Students develop locomotor skills (e.g., running, sliding, galloping, skipping), non-locomotor skills (e.g., curling, twisting, stretching, bending, swaying, spinning, sinking, rising), and manipulative skills (e.g., striking, collecting, catching, throwing, kicking, dribbling). These are practiced through a range of activities, games, and sports.

The P.E. program emphasizes a holistic connection between mind, body, and heart for lifelong health and wellness. In the younger grades, students play games focused on body awareness and personal space, building coordination and balance through activities like throwing, catching, rolling, dance, and yoga. In upper grades, classes often begin with interval running warm-ups followed by skill-based challenges or drills related to the unit of study, then games that allow students to apply and refine those skills in a new context. Students learn how to have a friendly competition and navigate winning and losing with poise and empathy. They are also given time to evaluate their in-game strategies and reflect on their teamwork. 

Various sports such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball are integrated throughout the year, promoting teamwork and a growth mindset. Students also learn sport-specific technical skills. For instance, during the volleyball unit, they practice bumping, setting, and spiking, with an emphasis on understanding when and how to use each skill in a game. Whether it’s circus, net sports, or capture the flag, students are encouraged to support each other and recognize the common threads of coordination, balance, agility, speed, reaction, and power that connect all physical activities, both in P.E. and beyond.

The Physical Education program plays a crucial role in middle school, offering students a variety of team-building and individual activities, as well as health education. Students participate in aerobic running, jump roping, dancing (including line dancing and Merengue), soccer, gymnastics (tumbling), team handball (fireball), volleyball, football, baseball, softball, field hockey, and basketball.

The Middle School P.E. program’s goals include developing and refining motor skills and movement patterns necessary for a range of physical activities; applying movement concepts, principles, and strategies to improve performance; and maintaining physical fitness to enhance overall health and well-being.