Physical Training at Gerstell incorporates two integral parts of the overall Leadership Program and mission of the school. Physical Training is composed of physical education class and interscholastic and intramural athletics. These two subsets have specific and distinct areas where leadership is learned and explored.
Physical Education:
The Gerstell Academy physical education curriculum has as its basis the component of physical fitness and fitness for life. All students are encouraged each year to pass the highest level of the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge. Each student’s progress is recorded, with improvement in personal fitness as the goal. Upper School physical education will be a continuum from the Middle School program. All students will take a one year course consisting of weight training, cardiovascular training, health, physical fitness and nutrition. This course is mandatory to graduate. Once this introductory course is completed, the students will have the opportunity to participate in elective courses that meet their fitness and athletic interests. Courses will include, but not be limited to team sports, individual sports, weight training, Kung Fu, and aerobics. All Upper School students will be required to complete four credits of physical education to graduate.
Athletics:
Athletics is one of the best opportunities to teach and experience leadership. Athletic experiences such as conflict resolution, teamwork, overcoming adversity, sportsmanship, self confidence and various other areas of traditional leadership are stressed on a daily basis. The student-athletes learn the importance of winning and losing with pride and grace. The athletic program is tied directly to the mission of the school and the physical education courses as the importance of lifelong physical fitness as well as health and nutrition are stressed daily in practices and games.
All of our athletic teams compete against other local independent schools and club teams to give them the opportunity to compete at the highest level on the athletic field. Gerstell student-athletes are privileged to practice and play in some of the area’s best facilities including the 70,000 square foot Paterakis Athletic Center and Gerstell Academy “Sportexe” Turf Stadium Complex. The athletic teams and PE classes have the distinct advantage of sport-specific weight and cardio training in the Paterakis Athletic Center Weight Room, which has the most advanced weight training equipment available.
