Physical Education

The Lower and Middle School physical education curriculum aims to promote lifetime health and fitness and to provide students with the opportunity to develop positive self image and social skills.

Physical education is a specialty class, where students are provided formal instruction by the P.E. teacher, either in the school gym or outside on the school playground and field area. Students in ECC through grade eight are required to participate in P.E. classes, and wear a P.E. uniform.

The program is designed to allow every student to succeed and feel good about their kinetic achievements. Through movement, all students will develop an awareness of the concepts of space, time and effort. Students also will gain a basic understanding of how and why the body works the way it does during exercise. Individual and group activities, both large and small, promote a fun, non-competitive, and educational environment. Students develop sportsmanship, teamwork, and social skills, and learn to follow rules.  Students will experience all aspects of fitness: muscular strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. Each class is set up to build a love of movement through success-based activities. Group challenges emphasize teamwork and social interaction. Basic kinesthetic abilities will be practiced and developed, such as balancing, jumping, landing, throwing, kicking and running.

The After-School Program provides first through eighth grade students the opportunity to participate in sports activities that are structured according to age and ability, whether it is a Lower School sports skills class or a Middle School team sport. Sports of the season are incorporated into the P.E. curriculum, including soccer, flag football, basketball, golf, and tennis. Other sports taught throughout the year in the physical education class include volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey, team handball and gymnastics.