The Physical Education program at St. Joseph Catholic STEM School is designed to emphasize personal and social responsibility while instilling Christian values, strong character, and good sportsmanship. Students participate in a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, and sequential Physical Education curriculum that builds skills, confidence, and lifelong habits of health and wellness.
Throughout the program, students are introduced to a wide variety of sports and physical activities. They develop an understanding of physical activity concepts that support informed decision-making about personal health. Students also build body, spatial, and temporal awareness while strengthening self-confidence, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
In 5th grade, the focus is on developing accuracy and speed in object manipulation skills. Students refine techniques such as throwing, catching, striking, kicking, trapping, and dribbling. Working in small groups, they also learn to respect and accept individual differences, including maturity levels, physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, and gender differences, fostering inclusivity and teamwork.
In 6th grade, instruction emphasizes cooperative learning and working toward shared goals. Students focus on developing movement skill combinations and expanding their knowledge of how different movement skills work together in physical activity settings.
In 7th grade, students focus on meeting challenges, making decisions, and applying movement skills in individual and dual activities. They also learn to assess and maintain physical fitness to improve both health and performance. Instruction includes fitness concepts, principles, and strategies, as well as psychological and sociological skills such as self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics in physical activity settings.
In 8th grade, students focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and applying advanced movement skills and fitness knowledge. They learn how to maintain and improve personal fitness for lifelong health and performance while becoming informed consumers of health and fitness information. Students also explore how physical activity supports enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social connection.
Across 5th through 8th grade, students participate in seasonal units including:
- Fall: team games (dodgeball, kickball), team handball, soccer, football
- Winter: team games (dodgeball, kickball), volleyball, badminton, basketball, dance and rhythm, archery
- Spring: team games (dodgeball, kickball), soccer, softball, ultimate frisbee
Through these experiences, students grow in physical fitness, skill development, teamwork, and character within a faith-centered learning environment.