PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 

Graduation Requirement

For students who enroll at the Academy during their freshman or sophomore year, two semesters (one credit) are required to fulfill graduation requirements. This requirement is waived for students entering Interlochen as juniors and seniors without PE credit from their transferred school. Most students fulfill this obligation during their first year at the Academy. The Academy offers four courses from which students may select.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Grades 9-12
Semester Course
.50 credits per semester, meets four days a week
2 Semesters needed for 9/10 grade students to fulfill graduation requirement

The physical education program introduces students to potential new hobbies or interests in team and individual sporting skills. Class topics include pre and post fitness testing as well as one-two week sessions of:

FIRST SEMESTER: (examples) tennis, yoga or aerobics, indoor soccer, aerobic activity,   new games, initiatives, and the challenge course. floor hockey, badminton

SECOND SEMESTER: (examples) snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, basketball, pillo-pollo, yoga and/or aerobics, softball, hiking, ultimate Frisbee, kickball.

PERSONALIZED FITNESS
One semester course, ½ credit per semester..
Student must participate daily according to the developed fitness plan, with twice a week signed-in attendance required at evening recreation. This course counts towards the physical education requirement. Must have prior approval from the instructor of Physical Education before enrollment can occur.

The personalized fitness program allows students to work directly with the Instructor of Physical Education to develop a well-rounded fitness program tailored to the student’s interests and goals. Students will then work independently on the plan with scheduled meetings to review performance with the instructor as well as bi-weekly required attendance at evening recreation.

Additional Programs

GENERAL DANCE
See Dance Department for course description.

DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE/SONG AND DANCE LAB
See Theatre Department for course description.

INDEPENDENT STUDY/EXTERNAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSE
In very rare cases, students may apply to have an external physical education course or a physical activity meet the Academy’s graduation requirement. The student must be enrolled in an ongoing organized external physical activity, which could include but is not limited to: horseback riding, gymnastics, intramural sporting teams, etc. Proof of participation/completion must be submitted during the last week of the semester. Credit will not be issued by Interlochen, but the activity would allow the PE requirement of a student entering as a 9th or 10th grader to be partially or fully waived. Application forms are available through the Academic and College Counseling Office and must be submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester.