The Seattle Academy Physical Education Department fosters a philosophy of teaching and learning that emphasizes fun, fitness, and lifelong well-being. Our approach encourages students to engage in a diverse range of fitness, sport, and leisure activities within a safe and supportive environment. Through creative movement and a variety of activities, we aim to cultivate both physical fitness and pro-social development, helping students build confidence, learn new skills, and understand the importance of staying active. From Middle to Upper School, students develop foundational movement skills, such as throwing, catching, functional movement patterns, and weight lifting, all while gaining the tools to apply fitness concepts in their daily lives. In line with the school's broader commitment to academic excellence, the PE program provides students with the opportunity to set personal goals, challenge themselves, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing world. Our goal is to inspire a love for physical activity and equip students with the habits necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle long after they leave the classroom. Students earn grades based on a pass/incomplete scale rather than a traditional letter grade in all PE offerings for grades 6-12.
We structure environments where students can experience the fun of movement and play and the challenge of learning new skills or developing skills they already have. Whether they are playing sport-like games, such as basketball, or a made-up game like Castleball, we teach students to focus first on enjoying the experience, learning new games, and learning how to play so everyone has fun.
We work to teach students - through experience, individual and group feedback and occasional reflection - how to play in groups. We play in a way that is inclusive and that recognizes contributions from each student. Boundaries and expectations are in place for safety, and students learn how to make a positive contribution to the group experience.
We want each student to understand the basic concepts of fitness and be able to apply them in their own lives. Fitness is included in every part of the curriculum, from 6th grade through graduation. Nearly every class will include some kind of cardiovascular warm-up and/or some muscular strength or endurance training. Many of the games we play also involve a lot of vigorous movements that will enhance overall fitness.
