IPS Physical Education & Health

Indianapolis Public Schools Physical Education & Health provides leadership through continuing professional development and advocacy that ensures effective delivery of evidence-informed school physical education and health and physical activity programs that foster healthy, active, and physically literate youth. 

Physical Education encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, physical fitness, motor skills, social skills and positive attitudes that foster and empower students to sustain regular, lifelong physical activity as a foundation for a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life.

Our effort on the elementary level is to form a foundation for the development of a physically educated person. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education defines a physically educated individual as one who:  

  • Has learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities.
  • Is physically fit.
  • Participates regularly in physical activity.
  • Knows the implications and benefits of involvement in physical activities.
  • Values physical activity and its contribution to a healthful lifestyle.

Helpful Resources

Indianapolis Public Schools Physical Education & Health Hub is dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive and engaging physical education program across all grade levels. Our curriculum is designed to align with National Standards for Physical Education, promote healthy lifestyles, and develop essential skills that contribute to students’ overall growth and development.

Grade Level Outcomes and Curriculum: Our Physical Education program follows the OPEN Curriculum, which is organized into three main grade bands: PreK-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each grade band is focused on achieving specific outcomes, helping students develop essential skills and knowledge for lifelong health and fitness.

PreK-5th Grade Physical Education: Elementary physical education offers developmentally appropriate and sequential activities that contribute to the growth and development of each individual child. The program emphasizes basic movement and motor skills, understanding healthy fitness levels, and developing effective personal and social skills. From kindergarten to 2nd grade, the focus is on fundamental movement skills. The 3rd through 5th-grade program expands on these skills and imparts the knowledge necessary for a lifetime of active participation.

6th-8th Grade Middle School Physical Education: Middle school physical education plays a vital role in the total education program, offering students opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and socially. The curriculum emphasizes self-image, teamwork, cooperation, socialization, goal-setting, problem-solving, muscle development, coordination, and understanding human motion. Students are encouraged to improve their competence based on their abilities and current development levels, with activities integrated across a three-year program.

9th-12th High School Physical Education: The high school physical education program reinforces and extends learning standards, promoting the application of knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. Students engage in a variety of activities designed to enhance their learning and skill development throughout their high school years.

  • National Standards for Health 
  • IPS Pacing Guides and Curriculum Resources 
    • PreK-5th Grade Health Pacing Guides 
    • 6th-8th Grade Middle School Health Pacing Guides 
    • High School Health Pacing Guides
    • Resources 
  • Indiana Lifeline Law 
  • Donate Life
  • Heather’s Voice 
  • Textbook Adoption 2023-24

District Wellness Team: (list team members and emails and numbers)

Do you want to be part of this team: email langdonk@myips.org 

School Wellness Leads: 

Do you want to be part of your child’s Wellness Team; Check with your student’s Lead team member (list of schools and lead teachers)

Recess plays a crucial role in promoting physical activity among students during the school day, complementing physical education and classroom activities. Scheduled regularly, recess offers students monitored playtime for physical activity and social interaction. Recess should not replace physical education classes but instead serves as an additional opportunity for students to stay active and engaged throughout the day.

Current offerings:

  • Beyond Monumental Kids Running Program 
  • Indy Fuel-Learn to Skate 
  • Ninja Warriors Program 
  • Kids Heart Challenge
  • Hoosier Heights Climbing 
  • IPS Jammin’ Jumpers 
  • Archery Program
  • BMX Bike Program

What to know about Physical Education for your child to get the most out of the class:

Kathy Langdon