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Physical Education

Fostering a lifetime of wellness.

Physical education classes at Penn Charter are designed to help students build personal fitness, develop skills through a variety of activities, and learn health-enhancing habits that support their physical and emotional well-being while encouraging a lifelong commitment to wellness.

Middle school is such an exciting time to watch students grow. In physical education, we see them learning how to handle both wins and losses, work through challenges with their friends and problem-solve as a team. Those experiences help them build resilience, confidence and strong connections with one another.Damon Leedale-Brown, Middle School PE Teacher

Penn Charter Color Day

Lower School

Our youngest students learn different forms of movement, coordination, sportsmanship, and how to stay safe and use equipment properly through age-appropriate activities that become more advanced over time.

  • By fourth and fifth grade, they begin learning the basics of sports that they can continue in Middle and Upper School. Students practice teamwork and perseverance.
  • Each spring, Lower School students take part in Color Day, a Penn Charter tradition that dates back to 1892, which features an afternoon of intra-school competition and camaraderie for grades K-12.
middle schoolers at PE class

Middle School

The Middle School physical education program introduces students to a wide range of activities—from games to aquatics to rock climbing—while building self-discipline, respect and collaboration. 

  • Middle School students are exposed to a wide range of recreational activities, from mainstream sports like basketball and pickleball to lesser-known favorites like gladiator ball and the cheese game.
  • Eighth graders learn basic swimming techniques and water safety protocol in Penn Charter's state-of-the-art aquatics facilities.

 

Upper School

  • Similar to Middle School, Upper School students participate in a wide range of activities—from games to yoga to rock climbing—while building self-discipline, respect and collaboration. 

  • The Upper School Fitness Principles course emphasizes the development of key fitness components, including strength, power, speed, agility, energy systems, sport nutrition, sleep and other recovery modalities.

  •  Upper School students can choose Outdoor Education as one of their PE courses. Activities include hiking, gardening, fishing, rock climbing, wilderness first aid and stewardship practices. Students can also participate in kayaking, canoeing and Discover Scuba.