Physical Education Department

Physical Education and health Course Offerings

Information on WHS Physical Education Sequence and Pathways

Click on the name of the course to go directly to its description.

PE COURSE 1

Term: Semester |   Level: High School Credit (HS)

This is the first course offered in a sequence designed to give students the opportunity to explore, learn, and participate in a variety of healthy physical activities aligned with the California Content Standards for Physical Education, fulfilling the state's high school graduation requirements in Physical Education. Students will be empowered to make choices, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviors in fitness, wellness, and movement activity for a lifetime. Emphasis is placed on students analyzing skills for effective movement. The course will address the eight required areas of Physical Education as mandated by the California Department of Education, including: dynamic health, mechanics of body movement, aquatics, individual sports, gymnastics, team sports, dance, and combative.

Prerequisite: None

PE COURSE 2

Term: Semester |   Level: High School Credit (HS)

This second-level Physical Education course offers continued exploration and refinement of healthy physical activities aligned with California Content Standards and graduation requirements. Students further develop informed choices, meet challenges, and cultivate positive fitness, wellness, and movement behaviors. Emphasis is on applying and analyzing advanced movement skills, strategic play, and personalized fitness planning. The course reinforces and expands to the development of all eight required areas of Physical Education as mandated by the California Department of Education: dynamic health, mechanics of body movement, aquatics, individual sports, gymnastics, team sports, dance, and combative.

Prerequisite: None

PE YOGA

Term: Semester |   Level: High School Credit

This second-level Physical Education option combines the power of mind, body, and spirit through yoga, fulfilling California high school graduation requirements in Physical Education. Students will participate in strength and core-building exercises, as well as breathing techniques, practicing a variety of techniques from yoga and Pilates. The course will also introduce meditation and concentration practices. Students will see improved skeletal alignment, increased muscular strength, and increased flexibility. This course contributes to the development of all eight required areas of Physical Education as mandated by the California Department of Education: dynamic health, mechanics of body movement, aquatics, individual sports, gymnastics, team sports, dance, and combative.

Skills and Assessment:  Students will be able to…

• A series of physical postures.
• Strong body alignment.
• Proper breathing methods.
• A strong core.

Prerequisite: Grades 10-12 only. 

HEALTH

Term: Semester  |   Level: High School Graduation Credit 

Health is a semester-long course required for graduation from high school.  This course emphasizes both individual and community wellness practices as well as current health issues with regard to the physical, mental, social, and emotional aspects of health in society.

PE FOR PRIVATE INSTRUCTION 

Term: Semester  |   Level: High School Graduation Credit 

Credit for private instruction will be available in the area of Physical Education. This credit must be approved in advance by an administrator. Options are limited and must meet rigorous district guidelines. Guidelines can be found here: IUSD Physical Education Private Instruction.

Private instruction in Physical Education is designed for nationally ranked students in an individual sport or are in a sport pre-approved for private instruction credit by the Irvine Unified School District. The student must be preparing for national/international competition and have at least 300 minutes per week of private instruction/practice with a qualified instructor. The maximum number of physical education credits available via private instruction is 20 on a pass/fail basis only.

Parents/guardians and students must submit an application within the first week of each semester to be considered for Private Instruction P.E. Applications may be obtained from the student’s counselor or an administrator. Students must reapply each semester. Applications must include a copy of the student’s ranking, the student’s practice schedule, and a schedule of the student’s contests/competitions/games.

DANCE TECH 1

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

This beginning dance course introduces basic techniques and principles of Jazz, Modern/Contemporary/Lyrical, Ballet, and Hip-Hop, plus studies in Improvisation, Choreography, Production, Anatomy, Dance History, and Fitness. Students develop creative expression through performance and gain appreciation for dance as an art form. This course contributes to the development of all eight required areas of Physical Education as mandated by the California Department of Education: dynamic health, mechanics of body movement, aquatics, individual sports, gymnastics, team sports, dance, and combative.

This course fulfills the requirement for PE.  If all PE credits are fulfilled, the course fulfills VAPA requirements.

Skills and Assessment:  Students will be able to…

• Execute proper warm up exercises for jazz, ballet, and modern dance
• Demonstrate simple dance combinations, center work and across the floor using techniques in jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance
• Develop use of basic dance vocabulary and terminology
• Choreograph dances solving problems involving parameters within counts, ideas and patterns
• Experience performing hip hop, modern/contemporary/lyrical, and/or jazz in a theatrical performance
• Demonstrate Dance vocabulary knowledge through written and oral assessment Techniques: written and oral analysis of student dances by the teacher, written tests on dance terminology.

Prerequisite: None

DANCE TECH 2

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

This intermediate dance course builds upon foundational skills, refining techniques in various dance styles and expanding creative expression through performance and choreography. The course contributes to the development of all eight California PE requirements: dynamic health (fitness); body movement mechanics (refined technique); dance (core focus); lifetime activities (promoting dance); plus elements of individual sports, gymnastics, and potentially combatives. Aerobic capacity, body composition, flexibility, strength/endurance, and skill-related fitness are also inherently developed.

This course fulfills the requirement for PE.  If all PE credits are fulfilled, the course fulfills VAPA requirements.

Skills and Assessment:  Students will be able to…

• Execute proper warm up exercises for jazz, ballet, and modern dance.
• Demonstrate complete dance combinations, center work and across the floor, using techniques in jazz, ballet, and modern/contemporary/lyrical dance.
• Critique self, peer, and professional performances, with classroom discussions.
• Choreograph dances solving problems involving set parameters within set parameters in rhythmic organization, unity and space
• Demonstrate knowledge performing ballet, modern/contemporary/lyrical, jazz dance and world dance in a theatrical setting
• Write a paper on the history of dance including world cultures, historical periods and its relationship to other arts
• Demonstrate Dance vocabulary knowledge through written and oral assessment Techniques: written and oral analysis of student dances by the teacher, based on choreography technique, written tests on dance terminology and history, oral critiques, by students of professional and amateur dance concerts.

Prerequisite: Audition only.

MARCHING BAND

Term: Yearlong  |   Level: High School Credit

Marching Band is a performance course in which students perform at football games, pep rallies, community events and compete in marching band competitions.  Performances and rehearsals outside the regular hours of a normal school day are an integral, co-curricular part of this course and participation in them is required for successful completion of the course. This course contributes to the development of all eight required areas of Physical Education as mandated by the California Department of Education: dynamic health, mechanics of body movement, aquatics, individual sports, gymnastics, team sports, dance, and combative.  Marching Band is a 0 Period course that offers 1 semester of P.E. credit. (Students enrolled in Marching Band must also take a Concert Band, Orchestra or Percussion class).

Skills and Assessment:  Students will be able to…

• Demonstrate proper marching, rehearsal and performance techniques.
• Demonstrate proper practice strategies and techniques.
• Develop cooperative work habits and leadership skills.
• Assess strengths and weaknesses through small ensemble and individual assessments.
• Promote school spirit and camaraderie.

Prerequisite: None