PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Play, both structured and unstructured, is a critical skill and an important aspect of well-rounded learning, and Speyer's Physical Education program offers our students an educational and exciting physically active experience. It seeks to provide them with the opportunity to foster continued improvement of physical skills in order to become efficient, knowledgeable, and self-confident individuals who can successfully participate and manage a healthy and active lifestyle.  

Fitness skills, including muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination, are taught through a myriad of activities. At Speyer, we realize that along with those skills, strong character is just as important in athletic ability. Starting in Kindergarten and continuing through eighth grade, we teach life skills such as responsibility, patience, self control, and sportsmanship. Students are tasked to design, plan, and execute movement and fitness concepts, as well as cooperate with each other to develop strategies during competitive games.

Speyer’s Physical Education curriculum is aligned to the National Physical Education Standards. Continuing the research-based curriculum found in our classrooms into our gym, Speyer’s Physical Education program incorporates elements to provide those learning experiences that meet children’s developmental needs, those proven to improve mental alertness, academic performance readiness, and enthusiasm for learning. Positive competition, respect for others, and the satisfaction of doing one's best are all essential components of a typical Physical Education class at Speyer.

In the Lower School, students are taught basic sport specific motor and manipulative skills such as throwing, catching, and creative movement. Every day, we strive to build a solid foundation which encourages students to become familiar and comfortable with various movement concepts. Additionally, Speyer’s INspeyerED Afterschool offers a multitude of physical options, ranging from soccer to flag football to dance.

Our Middle School Physical Education program is designed to help students build self-confidence and promote cooperation and fair play while having fun, as well as to encourage lifetime fitness and wellness practices. The curriculum includes cooperative games, health-related and skill-related fitness, study and practice of team and individual sports, rhythm and dance, along with nutrition education. Speyer is a part of the American International Private School League, and Middle School students are eligible to participate on Speyer’s competitive teams, including Mixed Soccer, Cross-Country, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track and Field (read all about Speyer Athletics here).