Physical Education

Our K–12 physical education curriculum develops physically literate students who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead active, healthy lives.

Grounded in the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS), learners build movement competence, apply strategies and tactics in a variety of physical activities, and develop an understanding of personal fitness and wellness. From learning fundamental movement skills and spatial awareness in elementary school to refining fitness, leadership, teamwork, and goal-setting skills in secondary grades, students engage in meaningful physical activity that promotes physical well-being. Through participation in individual and group activities, students learn to make responsible decisions, demonstrate respect for themselves and others, and develop the habits necessary for lifelong health and wellness.

Below you’ll find documents that outline the key topics and concepts taught throughout the school year in physical education. These overviews provide a high-level snapshot of the instructional sequence for each grade level or course. Where available, each unit is linked to a more detailed unit plan, which includes the standards, essential content, and instructional focus. While the site is accessible to all stakeholders, some linked resources, such as assessments or copyrighted instructional materials, may only be accessible to staff.

Elementary

In elementary physical education, students develop the foundational movement skills, fitness concepts, and social behaviors needed for lifelong participation in physical activity. Through a variety of games, movement experiences, and fitness activities, students build competence in locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills while developing body awareness, coordination, balance, and movement control. They learn how physical activity supports personal health and wellness, practice teamwork and responsible decision-making, and develop the confidence to participate safely and successfully in a wide range of physical activities.

View the Elementary Physical Education Curriculum

Middle

Middle school physical education builds on foundational movement skills as students apply strategies, tactics, and fitness principles in increasingly complex physical activities. Students refine sport-specific and lifetime activity skills, analyze personal fitness levels, and set goals to improve health and performance. Through individual and team activities, they strengthen leadership, collaboration, communication, and personal responsibility while learning how regular physical activity contributes to physical and emotional well-being.

View the middle school Physical Education Curriculum

High

High school physical education prepares students to take ownership of their lifelong health and fitness. To meet graduation requirements, students complete 0.5 credits in Personal Fitness and Wellness along with an additional 0.5 credit physical education elective, allowing them to explore activities that match their interests and goals. Through courses focused on fitness, individual and team activities, and lifetime physical pursuits, students apply movement concepts, fitness principles, and activity-specific strategies while developing healthy habits that extend beyond high school. Students evaluate personal fitness, set and monitor wellness goals, practice leadership and collaboration, and make informed decisions that support lifelong physical well-being.

In addition to the course offerings linked below, additional physical education elective options can be found in the District 51 Course Catalog.

View high school Physical education curriculum