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Upper School Physical Education Curriculum

The Durham Academy Physical Education Department believes that physical activity is an essential part of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Our mission is to give students the opportunity to:

  • Maintain wellness aligned with personal interests, goals, health and circumstances in order to live a happy and productive life.
  • Problem-solve, cooperate and leverage the strengths of a team while working with diverse groups.
  • Demonstrate resilience in the face of challenge, adversity, disappointment and failure in order to facilitate personal growth.
  • Understand the implications of life choices in the context of health and wellness.
  • Embrace a mindset that failure can be a natural and healthy part of learning and growth.
  • Identify limitations and explore strategies to overcome them.
  • Provide a safe place for self-exploration and self-discovery.
  • Set realistic and achievable health and wellness goals.

Return to Full Upper School Curriculum Page

Graduation Requirement

With our mission in mind, Durham Academy’s physical education requirement ensures that Durham Academy Upper School students work toward maintaining their health by participating in some form of structured and rigorous physical activity each year.

Upper School Physical Education Course Offerings

Select Grade Level

Durham Academy Interscholastic Athletics

Any student who is on a Durham Academy athletic team automatically satisfies the physical activity requirement for the year in which the season occurred. This applies to all grade levels in which a student completes a full season of participation, is on the active roster for the entire season, and participates from the first practice to the final game/match/meet.

Read More about Durham Academy Interscholastic Athletics
Durham Academy Dance Classes

Any student who completes an Upper School dance course automatically satisfies the physical activity requirement for the year in which they are taking dance.

Read More about Durham Academy Dance Classes
Approved Alternate Physical Education Experiences

Some students may participate in organized sports that are not offered at Durham Academy. If you participate in such a program, you can submit an application for credit prior to beginning the activity and must keep an activity/time log that is submitted at the end of each month to the PE academic leader or Upper School registrar.

Read More about Approved Alternate Physical Education Experiences
Elementary Games

This course is designed for students who have a genuine interest in working with young children. Class time will be spent discussing teaching techniques appropriate for young children, organizing and playing games, and developing lesson plans for teaching experiences at the Lower School. Students will demonstrate their proficiency by working with the Lower School physical education faculty in their classes.

Read More about Elementary Games
Group Fitness

This course is designed for students who have a genuine interest in working with young children. Class time will be spent discussing teaching techniques appropriate for young children, organizing and playing games, and developing lesson plans for teaching experiences at the Lower School. Students will demonstrate their proficiency by working with the Lower School Physical Education faculty in their classes.

Read More about Group Fitness
Jump! Jump! Jump Around!: Jump Rope Skills and Progression

Jump roping is a full-body workout that engages all muscle groups and targets both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems of the body. It can improve one’s overall fitness — including coordination, timing, rhythm, balance, proprioception, hand-eye coordination, speed, power and agility.

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Lifetime Sports

Through the participation in several activities, students will gain the knowledge necessary to become an educated participant and spectator. The involvement in specific sports will provide an atmosphere that is enjoyable to the participants, promotes cooperation among peers, and develops an understanding of the degree of fitness necessary to participate.

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Strength and Conditioning

Students can expect to learn proper form and technique for advanced lifts, as well as develop a basic understanding of personal exercise program design and progression.

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Walk-in Fitness

Students can fulfill their yearly physical activity requirement by participating in walk-in fitness offerings at the Upper School. These options vary from year to year, but students can fulfill this requirement by completing 50 exercise sessions in a given school year.

Read More about Walk-in Fitness