Health, Physical Education & Driver Safety

Welcome to the State College High School Health & Physical Education program!

Mission Statement:  

The State College Health and Physical Education Department will provide a supportive environment for students to learn the skills necessary to define, demonstrate and value a healthy and active lifestyle.

Wellness 9 (S537 or V537) - Credits .5

Description: This course provides students with current information on an array of health topics of interest and concern to students. The course will emphasize intelligent decision making and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own health. Students will have the opportunity to make the connection between physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of health. Components of the course will include knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors using a variety of instructional strategies that are student-centered.

*Virtual courses are NOT self-paced and are delivered through Schoology.

Wellness for Life (S543 or V543) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade: 11th or 12th

Prerequisites: Wellness 9 or Equivalent

Description: This course is designed to provide students with a skills-based approach to managing their stress and wellness. It offers an examination of one’s stressors and how to find a balance of mental, emotional, physical and environmental stress management techniques for leading healthier and more productive lives. Course information is presented in a practical manner incorporating current health trends and concerns, life management skills and interdisciplinary learning strategies to achieving optimal wellness. An emphasis is placed on the importance of making responsible decisions that will lead to a higher quality of life.

*Virtual courses are NOT self-paced and are delivered through Schoology.

Sports Nutrition and Safety (S546) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade: 11th or 12th

Prerequisites: Wellness 9 or Equivalent

Description: Students will learn how Sport Nutrition can enhance and sustain performance for exercise. Topics of instruction will include development of nutritional meal plans, energy metabolism, essential nutrients, ergogenic aides (performance enhancers), fueling for various muscular strength/power and endurance activities, and weight management. A unit on safety will permit students to earn the basic life support CPR/AED, Healthcare Provider certification through the American Heart Association. Students are required to purchase a CPR pocket mask.

Leadership and Wellness (S547) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade: 11th or 12th

Prerequisites: Wellness 9 or Equivalent

Description: This course will address theories of leadership that when employed will empower leaders to advocate and advance a culture of wellness within their community or organization. The course is based on the belief that leaders can be developed and will emphasize skills such as goal setting, communication, and organization, along with the other health literacy skills. The structure of this class will consist of group activities, planning for school and community events, individual projects/goals, and the learning and practicing of leadership qualities/skills both as a group and as individuals.

AspireEd Human Development (Y843) - Credits 1.0 - New Course in 2025-2026

Suggested Grade: 11th or 12th

Prerequisites: AspiringEd Intro

Description: This course will introduce students to the various stages of human growth and development while learning how individuals evolve from infancy to adulthood. Students also explore the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of learning while gaining insights into theories and research related to education. 

*Students can fulfill 1 credit of health education requirement that also counts as CTC credit in the Aspiring Educators (AspireEd) Program.

Fitness and Exercise Science (S540 or B540) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade Level: 11th or 12th

Prerequisites: Wellness 9, Phys. Ed. 09

Description

Fitness and Exercise Science will provide students with a broad knowledge of exercise science and a foundation for understanding the role of science in exercise, athletic performance, and health promotion with a major focus on strength and sports conditioning. Content areas consist of basic exercise science, program design and implementation for various populations, advanced level strength training concepts, anatomy and physiology, injury prevention, client consultation, and fitness assessments. This course is designed to provide a sound knowledge for student-athletes and students interested and preparing for professional work in health promotion, fitness-related careers, physical and occupational therapy, kinesiology, and allied health careers. This course is not for beginners. Students are expected to be proficient in strength training techniques, terminology, and procedures.

*Students are responsible for their own transportation to school for B540 (Before School)

Lifeguarding (S545) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade Level 10-12

Prerequisites: Swimming skills test (see description below)

Description

Interested in a great summer job or challenging career as a professional lifeguard? Through videos, group discussion and hands-on practice, students will have the opportunity to obtain certification in First Aid, CPR, AED and American Red Cross Lifeguarding. This semester course is a combination of classroom and water days. You must be at least 15 years of age and pass a prerequisite swim test which includes the ability to swim 300 yards continuously, tread water for 2 minutes with only the use of the legs, and surface dive to retrieve a 10 pound object off the bottom of the pool between 7-10 feet deep. This course credit will fulfill your physical education requirement for that school year or it may be used as an elective. There is a required fee for the certification and textbook. Scholarships available for need based students.

Personal Wellness & Activity (S531) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade Level 9-12

Prerequisites: Medical excuse from a physician.

Description

An adapted, or modified, physical education program focused on providing the same opportunities to students with physical, cognitive, or psychological exceptionalities in the safest and least restrictive environment possible. An individualized program provides rehabilitation exercises and activities that are modified to meet the needs of the individual student. The program encourages success and exploration in physical, emotional, mental, and social health over the student’s lifetime. Evaluation of student performance is based on the achievement of goals as agreed upon by the student and the learning team. This course is appropriate for students with a wide variety of exceptionalities.

Phys Ed 9 (S532 or V532) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade Level: 9

Prerequisites: 

Description

This 9th grade course focuses on learning skills necessary to become lifelong learners in a variety of activities in the area of personal health and wellness. Units of instruction include: field sports, volleyball, tennis, golf, aquatics, archery, personal fitness and introduction to a fitness center's cardio and strength training machines and stations. Upon the successful completion of the fitness certification assessment, students will be eligible to participate in the SouthSide Fitness Center programs which are offered after school and during the summer.

An extra fee is required for Fitness Center certification for student who opt to take this course virtually.

*Virtual courses are NOT self-paced and are delivered through Schoology.

Select Phys Ed (S530 or V530) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade Level: S530 10-12 / V530 - 10th / V535 - 11th & 12th 

Prerequisites: PE 9 and Wellness 9 

Description

The Selective Physical Education program provides a progressive curriculum for students in grades 10-12 to understand and experience a variety of activity choices. A fitness component is included throughout all activities for building, growing, and maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Students will have the opportunity to choose different activities throughout the semester from the following strands:

1. Lifetime Activities: Activities may include yoga, dancing, mountain biking, martial arts fitness, and adventure (Activities may include wall climbing, high ropes courses, and belaying).

2. Team Sports: Activities may include lacrosse, basketball, softball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, tchoukball, handball, and floor hockey.

3. Dual / Individual Sport: Activities may include tennis, badminton, pickle ball, archery, and fencing.

4. Personal Fitness: This strand based out of the SouthSide Fitness Center. Activities include instruction various types of strength training & cardiovascular exercises, program design, and goal setting. Students can obtain their SouthSide Fitness Center certification in this strand. *Virtual courses are NOT self-paced and are delivered through Canvas.

*Virtual courses are NOT self-paced and are delivered through Schoology.

Wake Up to Phys Ed (B541) - Credits .5

Suggested Grade Level: Only 10-12 

Prerequisites: Phys Ed 9

Description

Wake Up to Phys Ed is a semester class designed for only 10th through 12th graders interested in improving their current fitness level. This class meets every school day from 7:45 am - 8:30 am in the High School North Gymnasium. Units offered may include personal fitness, team sports, individual/dual sports, adventure, and aquatics.

*Students are responsible for their own transportation to school.

Driver Safety - Credits .25

Course Number: 1536 (MP 1), 2536 (MP 2), 3536 (MP 3), 4536 (MP 4), V536

Suggested Grade: 9-12

Description: The objective of this classroom course, which is required of all students for graduation, is to provide theoretical information in preparation for driving. Students will learn about good driver behavior, management of risk, the PA Vehicle Code, physical, social and environmental influences on the driver, as well as the safe operation of an automobile. Students participate in activities such as small and large group discussions, lectures, demonstrations, readings, group and individual projects and audiovisual presentations.

This course meets every other day for a single marking period. Students will complete over 30 hours of instructional time during the course. It is recommended that this course be taken the semester of the student's 16th birthday. Successful completion of this course is a graduation requirement. Students who wish to take this course but cannot fit it into their schedules are urged to contact the counseling office to arrange an alternative plan.