Academic Departments
Physical Education & Athletics
very Emma Willard student benefits from a rigorous program of sports and fitness. Whether she plays on an interscholastic team, maintains personal fitness through organized exercise or improves her skill at lifetime sports, each student is required to undertake regular exercise as part of her education. All students are encouraged to balance their physical education program with a combination of team, individual and lifetime sports.
THE DAYTIME P.E. PROGRAM
All 9th grade students and 10th grade students take their physical education classes during the academic day. All 11th and 12th grade students are welcome to take class during the day. Activities last five weeks and typically include the following:
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Fitness/Agility
- Field Hockey
- Floor Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Speedball
- Swimming – stroke instruction/water fitness
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Weight Conditioning
- Yoga
THE AFTERSCHOOL P.E. PROGRAM
Activity sessions last five weeks and classes meet Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday immediately after the end of the academic day. Since physical education is a required course, it is imperative that all appointments, music lessons, and extracurricular activities be scheduled on days when the class does not meet. Activities typically include the following:
- Aerobics
- Crew Conditioning
- Fitness Walking
- Floor Hockey
- Kickboxing
- Running
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Water Polo
- Weight Conditioning
- Yoga
SENIOR ELECTIVE
Seniors may arrange to work out in the Emma Willard weight and exercise rooms for credit. The weight and exercise room privilege is reserved for those students who wish to increase their physical fitness level and/or train for a competitive sports season. Students interested in taking this senior elective must submit a written, detailed proposal to the physical education department. If accepted, the student and the student's advisor must sign a contract outlining the details of the weight/exercise program. This elective must be scheduled to occur three times per week during the student's free periods in the academic day, and it must be completed in one semester, not spread over two semesters.
Prerequisite: permission of the athletic director. Proposal must be submitted by September 8 for fall semester and by January 12 for spring semester.
THE INTERSCHOLASTIC PROGRAM
Students interested in a competitive athletic experience are encouraged to try out for any of the school's teams or clubs. The school fields competitive teams throughout the academic year as follows:
Fall
Cross-Country V
Field Hockey V/JV
Soccer V/JV
Swimming V
Tennis V
Volleyball V
Winter
Basketball V/JV
Spring
Crew V/Novice
Lacrosse V/JV
Softball V
Track V
Practices are held every day, Monday through Friday, from 3:40-5:45 after school, and teams compete with many private and public schools. Students wishing to know more about this program should speak with the athletic director.
PRACTICUM SUBSTITUTE
Students of advanced ability in a particular sport who wish to compete in that sport may petition the department to receive physical education credit through the practicum program. Multiple sport practices/lessons may not be combined in one practicum substitute. Freshmen and sophomores may substitute a sports practicum for physical education only when they have demonstrated committed participation in the past. Sports practica can be for one semester or for the full school year, and practicum enrollment is approved only four times a year: Please submit practicum forms by September 8, November 3, January 30 or March 3 for approval.DANCE SUBSTITUTE
The physical education and athletics department grants PE credit to students enrolled in the school’s dance program. Any dance course taken for PE credit must meet more than once per week.
