Middle School: Learning through play

The goal of the Middle School PE program is to help students develop a positive attitude toward physical activity that leads them to adopt a lifelong healthy, active lifestyle. Play, sports, and games become vehicles to teach students important life skills about teamwork, competition, and ethical behavior.

With classes four times a week, students have a regular opportunity to move and play in a fun, grade-level environment. Students practice skills and learn the basics of traditional sports (including soccer, basketball, and volleyball) as well as less traditional activities, like yoga, pickleball, and wall climbing. Faculty members promote a growth mindset, emphasizing the importance of hard work rather than talent in achieving individual goals.

Faculty in PE and personal development collaborate on issues related to health and social-emotional skills, including nutrition and the role that fitness plays in being healthy. Students set personal fitness goals and develop fitness plans. They use personal technology to track their activity, providing themselves and their teachers with data and information about how they are improving over time.

Learn more about Middle School PE in the Middle School curriculum guide.

Upper School: Lifelong fitness

Lakeside Upper School’s physical education program focuses on fitness, skill development, and teamwork. All Upper School students take one semester of physical education the spring of 9th grade. This course introduces students to a variety of team and individual games, ways to warm up properly, and fundamental movement skills. Starting sophomore year students are required to take two semesters of physical education electives during their sophomore and/or junior year. The elective offerings include Games and Movement, Yoga Fusion, and Strength and Conditioning.

Upper School PE classes take place in The Paul G. Allen Athletics Center, which opened in 2014.

Learn more about Upper School PE in the Upper School curriculum guide.