Vanessa Chan
The physical education curriculum at Aragon includes a wide range of activities that many students say shape their experience while being in PE. Units like tumbling, badminton, swimming, pickleball and frisbee help students develop greater proficiency in some of the most common sports, not just train for competitive sports. While most students know the activities they rotate through each semester, fewer understand how teachers choose the units that become part of the program.
The program has changed over time, and teachers say every unit is chosen on purpose to help students stay active and involved. Many students also notice that high school PE is very different from middle school, where classes usually focus more on running, conditioning and basic team sports.
“Our goal is to give every student the chance to find something active they actually enjoy and might continue after high school,” said physical education teacher Linda Brown. “We know not everyone loves competitive running or team sports, so we include activities that let students try different ways to move, be active and work together.”
While the state requires certain parts to be in PE, like fitness testing and basic skill development, Aragon teachers have flexibility when deciding which extra units to offer at Aragon.
“We pay attention to what students enjoy, what equipment we have and what skills can realistically be taught in a six-week unit,” Brown said. “We want students to feel confident trying something new.”
Some units, like the swimming and fitness units, have been part of the program for years, while others change based on interest and staffing. Recently, the badminton and pickleball units have become very popular, especially among students who don’t play sports competitively outside of school
For many students, PE is more than just a class they have to take, also it can also be a fun break during the day. Some like the competitive games, and others enjoy stepping away from school stress.
“Badminton is my favorite unit because it’s fun but not overwhelming, and it gets really competitive in a good way,” said sophomore Jaiden Ou. “It’s something I didn’t expect to like until I tried it.”
However, some students feel there should be more choices, especially activities on personal fitness and strength training.
“PE should offer more variety in individual fitness or weightlifting,” said sophomore Edward Wen. “A lot of students want to learn skills they can use outside of school or after graduation.”
Students rotate through several units each semester and are graded on participation, effort and improvement, not just skill or performance. The program focuses on personal growth rather than being the best.
Along with daily activities, students must take part in fitness testing and meet California’s physical standards. Even though the testing can be stressful, teachers remind students that improvement matters more than being perfect.
“We’re not asking students to be professional athletes,” Brown said. “We just want them to find something active that feels meaningful and enjoyable.”
As student interests change, the PE curriculum may continue to grow and offer more choices. Some students have suggested adding units like yoga, rock climbing or dance to support both physical activity and mental health.
Many students say they appreciate how hard PE teachers work to create a program that supports all kinds of students
“PE is one of those classes where everyone can do well, even if you’re not great at sports,” said sophomore Mohan Sulur. “It’s about effort and trying new things.”
Even though students don’t always think about how the curriculum is built, the choices behind it make a big difference in the school community. As Aragon continues to adjust and improve its program, the goal stays the same: helping students build healthy habits that last long after high school.
