Students in grades 9 through 12 must complete a minimum of two years (20.0 credits; 300 hours) of physical education to qualify for a high school diploma. Think in terms of helping your student build a habit of working up a sweat for at least 30 minutes a day. Physical Education courses will not appear on the student's transcript until at least 37+ course hours have been accumulated during the school year.

       Any kind of activity that works up a sweat qualifies—we mean anything! This includes team sports, personal sports, fitness activities, physical chores (snow-blowing, lawn installation, house-painting—think about it, Dad!), instructor-led classes, videos, and home workouts. Our favorites are cross-brain-training sports, which enhance both academic prowess and physical fitness: swimming, horseback riding, ballroom dancing, fencing, martial arts, and table tennis. It's also a good idea to involve your student in team sports at least once or twice during high school to encourage teamwork and personal responsibility, and to see if they have a taste or talent for it.

 

Four-Year Structure: We recommend the following home-generated, community-based activities, which can be completed in any order and at any time. All are recommended for two or more quarters per year.

  • Year 1: Home-generated activity for aerobic exercising, physical training, or sports (at least 75 hours)
  • Year 2: Driver's Training and home-generated activity for aerobic exercising (at least 75 hours)
  • Year 3: First Aid & CPR and home-generated activity for aerobic exercising (at least 75 hours)
  • Year 4: Home-generated activity for aerobic exercising, physical training, or sports (at least 75 hours)

 

Documentation Requirements: Maintaining a weekly log of activities is essential documentation to earn Physical Education credits.  St. Thomas Aquinas Academy offers the Gradebook for Physical Education (PHE-B) on the STAA Student Zone (see the Appendix of Forms to download it as needed). You may use the PHE-B Gradebook, or use it for inspiration and create a more detailed weekly log that is specific to the activities your student is tracking. The log should include date and duration of activities, type of exercise or sport, personal goals and progress, and weekly meetings with a supervising adult.

 

* * * Read the “Reporting Physical Education” article in the STAA Handbook: Semester Reporting on the member site for full planning and reporting guidelines.* * *