Physical Education & Health

At UPrep, we thrive at promoting lifelong wellness. Our PE program encompasses health literacy as well as physical literacy. When students leave our Middle School, they have a true understanding of how to keep themselves fit. Health literacy is about having a true understanding of living a healthy lifestyle and getting in shape—while having fun!" –PE Teacher James Johnson

At UPrep, the goal of the Physical Education (P.E.) Program is to redefine educational excellence by supporting all students in developing their skills, knowledge, and character in a variety of contexts, regardless of their athletic abilities. Our students learn how to develop a foundation for lifelong wellness and build upon their physical literacy by exploring P.E. in all domains of learning: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. Students experience a diverse set of courses that support growth and challenge as they become physically and intellectually courageous and socially responsible.

In Middle School P.E., students explore a wide range of activities to create a foundation of understanding and skill development, deepen collaboration and belonging, and increase enjoyment in movement. Students gain confidence and competence to move in a variety of ways in both traditional and nontraditional activities.

Our Health Program fosters a culture of lifelong well-being by empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed and responsible health choices to thrive in any context. Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that health is a holistic concept encompassing physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being. Middle School Health serves as a cornerstone in our commitment to cultivating a healthy and thriving community of students who are intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizens of the world.

Meet A PE Teacher

Read a Q&A with PE and Health Teacher James Johnson.

7th Grade Health

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Courses

6th Grade P.E.

Required
Yearlong

In this comprehensive year-long course, our primary focus is on instilling foundational skills to foster physical literacy, nurturing competence and confidence across a diverse range of contexts. Students engage in exploration of these skills through units spanning both traditional and innovative activities encompassing athletics, invasion games, movement and performance, net games, and beyond. Throughout the year, we seamlessly integrate the Health-Related Components of Fitness, Skill-Related Components of Fitness, and fundamental core values that underscore various social and emotional learning (SEL) components within each activity. Our aim is to cultivate well-rounded individuals who not only excel physically but also embrace essential life skills and values.

7TH GRADE HEALTH

Required
One semester

This project-based health education course explores a variety of topics and skills for students to continue to develop their health literacy. Students develop their critical thinking and creativity while applying knowledge and skills in scenario and project-based activities. Throughout the course, students practice the essential skills of health education: goal setting, interpersonal communication, assessing valid information, analyzing influences, decision-making, self-management skills, and advocacy. Students learn key information and practice the essential skills of health education related to the following categories: dimensions of health and wellness, safety, nutrition, sexual growth and development, social and emotional health, and substance use. Topics explored include everything from vaping to consent, and stress management to time management.

7TH GRADE P.E.

Required
One semester

In this course, the major emphasis is skill development. Units are usually five lessons in length and activities may include Ultimate, soccer, badminton, modified cricket, and pickleball. Throughout these units, students explore the five components of fitness, the six components of skill-related fitness, and the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, and type). In the fall and spring, students focus on cardiorespiratory endurance, culminating with a two-mile run excursion at Green Lake.

8TH GRADE P.E.

Required
One semester

In this course, students continue their P.E. experience and explore meaningful ways they can personally find fitness for life. Students also develop increased skill and strategy application in activities and games. Units may include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, badminton, pickleball, and more. In addition, students are introduced to the fitness center to learn how to safely build a foundation for their strength and endurance as they learn about the process of creating their own workouts. They will also learn basic muscles and bones of the body. Students deepen their understanding of topics such as goal setting, the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, and type), and components of fitness throughout this course.

Intensives

Choreography

Choreography

7th–12th grade
Elective

Students dive into the art of choreography and the experience of building and performing dances. Students explore a variety of choreographic exercises, improvisational scores, and creative work in the studio to build their understanding of composition and the creative process. During visits with professional dancers and choreographers, on field trips to see professional performance, and through in-class assignments and presentations of their own work, students deepen their understanding of dance and choreography. A variety of documentaries highlight current choreographers and their work. In-class lessons approach dancemaking from a variety of methods. During the course, students create their own choreography, set their movement on peers, dance in the work of their classmates, and experience having choreography set on them by others, including professional artists. Students perform a selection of dances in a showcase, sharing their creative work in a final performance for the UPrep community.