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The Andover High School physical education curriculum aligns with both the SHAPE (Society of Health & Physical Education) America national standards and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Frameworks. Students are required to successfully complete one physical education course every year. Physical education classes are granted .5 credit and 2.0 credits are required for graduation. Each course of instruction is designed to develop and challenge students mentally, physically, and socially (cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains). Within each course students will be expected to cultivate positive relationships, communicate honestly and respectfully, work cooperatively, value and express creatively, and challenge themselves to reach high expectations and goals. It is a learning expectation that students will act with respect, integrity and compassion. They will demonstrate responsibility for their actions and cultivate their awareness of contributing to the common good. Each course provides students with an opportunity to grow as individuals in a physically challenging environment. Students will learn and be able to develop the knowledge and skills needed to be physically active and fit for a lifetime.
Required: All students must successfully pass Project Challenge as a graduation requirement. It is recommended that all students entering grade 9 enroll in this course.
Project Challenge - This is considered the cornerstone course of the high school physical education program. The course is designed to promote self-confidence, group cooperation, and problem solving skills in a mutually supportive environment. The course is divided into three distinct phases. The initial activities are designed to develop trust and mutual support among group members and to develop communication skills through various class activities. Trust falls represent one such activity where it is important to communicate clearly with each other to ensure that all participants remain safe throughout the activity. Further group debrief discussions help students transfer the skills from this controlled activity to real situations that they may encounter. The second phase emphasizes group cooperation and problem solving skills. The final activities in this course are designed to encourage risk taking, teamwork and to develop self-confidence. These activities include working on the ropes course located at the high school. Students are not mandated to participate on the high elements but are encouraged to try.
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