Physical Education

Department Chair: Graham Westerberg

Physical education is an essential component of a curriculum that serves to educate the whole child. Physical activity improves both physical and mental health, by implementing carefully selected and diverse activities, we hope to encourage and promote healthy habits. Risk taking is encouraged in an environment that is supported by respect and positive reinforcement. Cooperative team situations provide the student with the opportunity to problem solve and feel successful through a group effort. A major goal of the physical education program is to promote an interest in physical activity that continues throughout the student’s time and school and beyond.

All students must earn six credits and must have passed a swim competency test by the end of the second trimester of their senior year. If a student fails the swim competency test, she must enroll in, and pass, the Aquatic Fitness course. Credits can be accomplished by completing six activities, which may include taking physical education classes and/or participating on interscholastic teams. Students earn one credit for the successful completion of each of these activities. Freshmen must earn at least one credit during their ninth grade year. Students are required to take fundamentals of physical education for one trimester in either the ninth or tenth grade. Learn more about athletic teams.

Middle School Program

Middle School Physical Education/Athletics

All Middle School students are required to participate in physical education/athletics within the school day. Each season Middle School students choose one activity from a wide range of competitive interscholastic, non-competitive, or fitness-oriented options. Participation in physical education/athletics will occur six days out of every eight-day cycle. With the exception of game days and other off-campus activities, practices will conclude by 3:30 p.m.

The Middle School physical education/athletics program recognizes and responds to the unique characteristics of young adolescents in its instruction, activities, expectations, and goals. In the Middle School, we seek to develop and strengthen fundamental skills in a variety of activities. Coaches and students should seek to explore rather than specialize in athletic opportunities. Middle School physical education/athletics will focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, health, safety, responsibility, accountability, and building meaningful relationships.

Upper School Program

The physical education instructional curriculum places major emphasis on developing lifetime habits of cardiovascular and physical fitness. The following minor courses are open to all students in grades 9-12 and can be repeated.

Fundamentals of Physical Education, Grade level: 9-10, Prerequisite: Must have completed swim competency test, Credit: 1 per trimester – offered during the school day.

This required course provides students with the concepts and skills which are basic to acquiring and maintaining personal fitness. Instructional components include fitness evaluation and design of individual programs to develop muscle strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and exercise for stress management. Examples of activities in this course include aerobics, weight training, walking, running, and swimming. The course culminates in a class-wide triathlon.

Lifetime Fitness, Grade level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester – offered during the school day.

This course will develop in students an appreciation for physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Students will learn how to implement personal exercise and weight training programs that will help them develop their personal fitness. They will also be challenged to participate in and acquire knowledge of a variety of physical activities that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. All athletic facilities will be used and students will participate in these activities both indoor and outdoor throughout the trimester. Students will be evaluated based on their preparation and participation in class activities and their understanding of how to achieve lifetime fitness.

Aquatic Fitness, Grade level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester – offered during the school day.

This swimming course provides varying aquatic based activities (not a lap based class) to meet the needs of each student in the class. In addition, the concepts and skills needed to pass the swim competency test required for graduation will be taught to those that may need it. The swim test consists of 150 yards of nonstop swimming, jumping into the deep end, surfacing and treading water for two minutes.

Strength and Conditioning, Grade level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester – offered after the school day. This course is designed to provide students with the tools needed to develop as athletes. Specialized training programs are created based on the athlete’s current abilities and their goals for the future. The program has elements of strength training, cardiovascular activities, agilities, yoga, pilates, core, and flexibility. This class offers multiple choices while accommodating students’ schedules and skill levels.

Lifeguarding, Grade level: 9-12, offered outside of school for an added cost.

Dance Composition and Choreography, Grade level: 9 – 12, Credit: 1 per trimester, (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). Dance Dance Composition and Choreography is designed to introduce students to the creative process and compositional tools that are at the core of making dances. Each student, regardless of ability level, will be encouraged to expand her movement vocabulary, her perception of dance, and her understanding of movement and sound as expressive partners. Through solo studies and small group choreographic projects students explore the source of movement ideas, as well as how to compose interesting and purposeful dance phrases, while gaining a greater appreciation for dance as a vehicle for artistic expression. This course may be repeated.

Dance Technique (Spring Trimester) Grade Level: 9-12, Credit: 1 per trimester, (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). Dance Technique is geared towards the beginning and intermediate dancer, building upon the dance experiences in Lower and Middle School. The primary emphasis is on exploring the elements and stylistic nuances of modern, ballet and jazz dance technique. Students will acquire technical skills and gain an understanding of dance as an expressive art form. This course may be repeated.

Intermediate-Advanced Dance Technique, After School (Fall Trimester), Grade Level: 9-12, Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: 1 per trimester, (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). This course allows a student to enroll in a dance technique class outside the conventional school day by taking two technique classes per week (during the first trimester) with the Orchesis company members. Modern, ballet and jazz technique are studied in depth, with students participating in warm up, center, and traveling exercises appropriate to each styles of dance. This is designed for students who are not members or the Orchesis Ensemble.

Orchesis Associate Member, After School (Fall, Winter Trimesters), Grade level: 9-12, Prerequisite: Permission of department, Credit: 2 (for 2 trimesters), (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). Associate company members meet three days a week, for up to two hours, for technique classes and rehearsals. Performance opportunities are offered through peer, faculty, and guest artist choreography. The commitment to Orchesis as a class and company spans the first two athletic seasons.

Orchesis Dance Ensemble, After School (Fall, Winter Trimesters), Grade level: 9-12, Prerequisite/Corequisite: Dance Composition and Choreography and permission of the department. Credit: 2 -for 2 trimesters, (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). This course provides interested students with a more intense dance experience. Company members meet four days a week, for up to two hours, for technique classes and rehearsals. Modern, ballet and jazz technique are studied in depth, with students participating in warm up, center, and traveling exercises appropriate to each styles of dance. Students also participate in various aspects of the choreographic process. Performance opportunities are offered through peer, faculty, and guest artist choreography. The commitment to Orchesis as a class and company spans the first two athletic seasons.

* Participation by audition only.

Dance Technique, After School (Spring Trimester), Grade level: 9-12 (open to 8^th graders, but not for credit) Credit: 1 per trimester, (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). This course allows a student to enroll Dance Technique outside the conventional school day by taking two technique classes per week (during the spring trimester) after school. Dance Technique is geared towards the beginning and intermediate dancer, building upon the dance experiences in Lower and Middle School. The primary emphasis is on exploring the elements and stylistic nuances of modern, ballet and jazz dance technique. Students will acquire technical skills and gain an understanding of dance as an expressive art form. This course may be repeated.

Intermediate/Advance Pointe Repertoire Class, Grade level: 9-12 Prerequisite: Students need to be enrolled in ballet and pointe classes at an intermediate/advanced level outside of school; taking at least 3 ballet classes and 2 pointe classes a week at their outside studio. Teacher Permission is required. Credit: 1 per trimester, (credit is given for Physical Education or Performing Arts, but not both). Students will participate in a ballet/pointe warm up each class, and then learn original classical variations and new contemporary ballet pieces. As part of this class you will work on building an online portfolio that can be used for summer program/dance studio auditions and college applications. When appropriate, students will perform their dances for an audience or the videos of their work would be shared outside of class.

Interscholastic Athletic Program

Holton-Arms is a member of the Independent School League, the Washington Metropolitan Private School Swimming & Diving League, the Mid Atlantic Girls’ Hockey League (local), the Women’s Ice Hockey League of the Mid Atlantic and the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association. Students who are selected to participate on one of the interscholastic sports teams as a player are granted one credit in physical education. Team managers may also receive credit by working with both their coach and the Athletic Director as they carry out needed duties and fulfill a personal workout schedule.

Fall Season

• Varsity and Junior Varsity Field Hockey
• Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer
• Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis
• Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball
• Varsity Cross Country
• Club Strength and Conditioning

Winter Season

• Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball
• Varsity Swimming and Diving
• Varsity Ice Hockey
• Winter Club Crew
• Club Strength and Conditioning
• Winter Club Track

Spring Season

• Varsity and Junior Varsity Lacrosse
• Varsity and Junior Varsity Softball
• Spring Club Tennis
• Varsity Track and Field
• Varsity and Novice Crew

Physical Education FAQs

What is the physical education requirement for Upper School students?

Each Upper School student must complete six full credits (four activities or classes) by taking physical education classes (which includes dance classes) or participating in interscholastic teams. Two of these credits must be taken during the junior or senior year. All students must also pass a swim competency test prior to the second trimester of their senior year to graduate. Students must earn at least one credit during grade nine and are required to take fundamentals of physical education for one trimester during grade nine or ten.

What courses are offered at the Upper School level?

• Fundamentals of Physical Education I (required)
• Lifetime Fitness
• Aquatic Fitness
• Strength and Conditioning
• Dance Technique
• Dance Composition and Choreography
• Intermediate/Advanced Pointe Repertoire Class
• Performance Group/Orchesis
• Lifeguarding – offered outside of school at additional cost– NO credit

Does Holton offer a physical education exemption for outside activities?

On occasion, special consideration is given to students intensely involved at an advanced level of physical activity not offered at Holton, and where practice and competition schedules leave very little study time. Permission and paperwork must be completed with the Athletic Director within the first week of the trimester.

What interscholastic sports are offered each season?

● Fall - Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball

● Winter – Basketball, Swimming and Diving, Ice Hockey

● Spring – Crew, Lacrosse, Softball, Track and Field

What club sports are offered?

Winter Crew training, Winter Track, Spring Tennis, and Fall/Winter Strength and Conditioning

When do sport tryouts begin in the fall?

Monday, August 19, 2019 at 8 a.m. All fall athletes must be in attendance at preseason in order to participate.

When do practices occur?

Practices take place five days a week, typically from 3:45 - 5:45 p.m., and occasionally on Saturdays as well.

How are teams selected?

Teams are selected according to ability. Prior participation on a team still requires an individual to try-out, and one’s year in school does not determine playing status or position.

What if my daughter is involved on an outside team?

Holton teams must take priority over outside sports.

Does the Athletic Department assist students in exploring potential opportunities at the collegiate level?

The athletic staff provides a Student and Parent Guide for the Student-Athlete. Individual meetings can be scheduled with the Athletic Director or any coach at any time to assist in understanding the recruiting process.