Physical Education & Health
Physical education (PE) is a required academic subject that teaches participation in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity. In PE, students learn to work as a team, develop healthy personal fitness habits, and set fitness goals now and throughout their lives. PE is not recess, or a before- or after-school sports club.
PE is:
- A regular class scheduled during the school day.
- Taught by a certified, licensed DOE teacher.
- Instruction on a wide range of skills, not just sports .
- Based on a curriculum, with established learning standards (for more information, see the New York City K-5 Physical Education Scope and Sequence(Open external link) and the New York City Grades 6-12 Physical Education Scope and Sequence(Open external link)).
Under NY State law, all students in grades kindergarten–12, including students with disabilities, must have Physical Education (PE) as part of their education.
Health education is a required academic subject for students in all grades. In this class, students learn how to take care of their minds, their bodies, and their relationships with others. They learn the concepts and skills they need to be healthy for life, including:
- social and emotional skills
- how to set goals for life and health
- how to find and use health services
- good communication and relationship skills
- how to set boundaries and resist negative social pressure
Under NY State law:
- All students in grades kindergarten – 12 must have health education as part of their education.
- All students must have HIV/AIDS lessons, every year.