Student success depends on a blend of academic skills, good health, and physical and mental fitness. New York City schools offer a wide range of fitness and health instruction during the school day, along with before- and after-school activities, to help children develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors that lead to lifelong physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness.
Fitness and health activities in school encourage students to:
The fitness and physical education program focuses on a health-related fitness education curriculum; integration of NYC FITNESSGRAM, a standardized fitness assessment tool drawn from decades of research and designed specifically for New York City public school students; and a physical activity program for adolescents, the C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Sports and Fitness Program.All children in New York City schools also receive a comprehensive health education, beginning in elementary school and continuing through high school. The health curriculum includes age-appropriate lessons on injury prevention; mental and emotional health; nutrition; tobacco, alcohol and other drugs; family health and sexuality; and personal and consumer health. To learn more, click here.
To graduate from high school, students must take at least 4 physical education credits over the course of a minimum of 7 semesters and 1 credit of health education.
For information about high school sports, check out the Public School Athletic League (PSAL).