The Upper School physical education curriculum emphasizes a diverse offering of fitness, lifetime, and team sport activities.  By promoting healthy lifestyles through planned, regular exercise, students obtain the skills and knowledge to continue their physical activity in the years ahead.  Activities may include:  golf, strength training, aerobic fitness, power walking, tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

The goal of health and wellness instruction at Cary Academy is to promote health literacy.  Using traditional classroom resources, as well as the Internet and appropriate software, each student develops the ability to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services.  Students can then use these services and information in ways that enhance their health.  The vast array of health resources in the community serves as a helpful adjunct to the course.  The program provides the necessary foundation to enable students to make sound decisions regarding their physical and emotional well-being.

Graduation requirements:

Grade 9:   PEH 100: Physical Education/Health
Grade 10: PEH 310/320/330: Emotional Health and either

1. one trimester of PEH 210/220/230: Physical Education,
2. participation on two Cary Academy interscholastic teams at either the junior varsity or varsity levels, or
3. ART 600: Modern Dance                      

Grades 11 and 12: One trimester of PEH 210/220/230: Physical Education each year, participation on two Cary Academy interscholastic teams at either the junior varsity or varsity levels, or ART 600: Modern Dance.

Students who participate on two Cary Academy interscholastic teams at either the varsity or junior varsity level in one school year fulfills their Physical Education requirements for that year.  If a student plans to fulfill his or her P.E. requirement in this manner next year, the student should obtain a Physical Education Exemption Form from the Athletic Director and submit it at least two weeks prior to the start of a trimester.  Students with a PE exemption who withdraw from a team after the Drop-Add deadline passes will still be responsible for satisfying the requirements for a full trimester of Physical Education.

Courses in Athletic Training will not meet the P.E. requirement.

PEH 100:  Physical Education/Health                                                                                 1/2 credit
(Year long/  M & Th)
This course will focus on fitness, lifetime, and team sports activities.  Students will be given an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities to build fundamental skills as well as basic understanding of terminology, rules, and game strategies.  The health component will focus on basic human anatomy, first-aid, disease transmission, and stress management.  The curriculum is designed to teach students about the physical aspects of caring for the human body.  In addition, students will learn appropriate techniques to combat life stressors.  Portions of the health program will be integrated with the science department, counseling service department, school nurse, and guest speakers. 

Emotional Health                                                                                                                 1/6 credit             
(1 trimester/ 2 periods per week)
All students in 10^th grade are required to take this course. The idea that organizes this class is that all of us can cultivate emotional health through a combination of awareness and skills. This course will cover stress management, emotions and their management, relationships, and communications. This course emphasizes developing skills through participation in experiential activities, discussion, and reflection. 

UPPER SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION ELECTIVES: 

PEH 210/220/230:  Physical Education for Lifetime & Team Sport Concepts               1/6 credit
(Fall/ Winter/ Spring/  M & Th)
Part of the course will feature participation in Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, floor hockey, basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, or similar activities.  Emphasis will be placed on sportsmanship, teamwork, competition, and game strategies.  In addition, lifetime fitness activities will be incorporated to promote cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, and agility.  Basic techniques and knowledge of Nautilus and free weights systems will be introduced.  Safety issues are discussed and stressed.  Instruction in specific areas will include fitness evaluation, stretching, weight training, aerobic exercise, low impact aerobics, abdominal work, rope jumping, plyometrics and circuit training.  Students will identify personal fitness goals then develop and implement an individual fitness program to attain identified goals.