Athletics

Physical Education

Active Bodies = Active Brains

Five days a week! At Denver Academy, that's how many times Physical Education (P.E.) teachers see their students in grades 2-6. P.E. is also offered as a daily elective for grades 7-12.

At many other schools, P.E. teachers see classes every other day, or even once per week. Guidelines from National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommend 150 minutes of P.E. for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students. Today's P.E. model places a greater emphasis on personal fitness and a cognitive understanding of the principles of movement to help students live healthy and active lives now and in the future. 

Denver Academy P.E. teachers use innovative movement technology such as pedometers, heart monitors, and iPad equipment to provide dynamic and motivating movement learning experiences. Students take responsibility for their own personal fitness goals, track their personal progress, and work to develop and improve their fitness and overall personal wellness. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for our students to develop a pattern of life-enhancing and self-rewarding experiences to increase their potential to be healthier members of society.

Elementary & 6th

During the elementary years, the focus of Denver Academy Physical Education is on the development of motor skills, coordination, and balance. The introduction of cooperative learning, team sports, leadership skills, and character development are emphasized. Catching, throwing, as well as tumbling, jumping rope, and many cooperative games are common activities in the Elementary Physical Education curriculum.

Annual events for DA Elementary Students include:
  • Scooter Highway
  • Field Day

Middle School

In grades seven and eight, various team and individual activities are introduced. Our focus is on incorporating physical fitness and health as a lifetime endeavor. We accomplish this by offering a new selection of classes beyond team sports, such as weights & fitness and cross-fit. The primary objective (besides having fun!) is to introduce students to various activities with the hope that they will choose to participate in athletics and healthy physical activities in the future. Volleyball, basketball, flag football, soccer, racquet sports, and baseball are some of the more competitive sports taught during Middle School. Students in these grades also have the opportunity to compete in team sports through elective offerings each quarter. Find out more on the Middle School Academics page.

High School

During the high school years, Denver Academy’s Physical Education courses focus on lifetime sports and fitness activities. Our hope is to instill the value of lifelong fitness and health in our students. We accomplish this by offering a variety of activities. Lifetime sports, such as yoga and weight lifting are very popular courses. The continuation of team sports that incorporate leadership, team building, and cooperative learning are also emphasized. These include Ultimate Frisbee, football, basketball, tennis, floor hockey, and team handball.

DA High School students can also participate in our athletic program and compete against other schools through team sports. Find out more about competitive Athletics at DA here.   

Health Education

Health courses at Denver Academy are structured to inform and help students lead a healthy and happy life. We offer physical education classes to our elementary students that are infused with a health curriculum. For Middle School and High School students, nutrition, fitness, healthy choices, and effective communication are just some of the topics covered. When students reach adolescence, they learn about anatomy, age-appropriate adolescent growth topics, and the physiological effects of drugs and alcohol, all within the context of their courses.

Our Mission

Denver Academy’s Physical Education Department strives to provide opportunities for the diverse group of learners in the Denver Academy community to develop healthy lifestyles by creating a safe and challenging environment that meets the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of the individual.

Meet the Team

List of 5 members.

  • Photo of Kyra Ruscio

    Kyra Ruscio 

    Dean of Physical Education
    Bio
  • Photo of Ashley Kelemen

    Ashley Kelemen 

    Lower School Athletic Director
    Bio
  • Photo of David Acker

    David Acker 

    Physical Education Teacher
    Bio
  • Photo of Frederick Ollett

    Ben Ollett 

    Physical Education Teacher
    Bio
  • Photo of Samantha Silverman

    Samantha Silverman 

    Physical Education Teacher
    Bio

Upcoming Events

List of 1 events.