NYC Public Schools PE & HE Resources
District 75 Office of School Wellness Programs work directly with schools, Public School offices, and City and community partners to prioritize equitable, standards-based, and high-quality health (HE), physical education (PE) and Adapted PE (APE) for ALL students.
We partner with schools to create conditions where health and physical education thrive, and we engage the school community with programs to support student well-being. Empowering young people to take care of their minds, bodies, and the people around them builds a foundation for lifelong learning.
Physical Education:
All students must take physical education (PE). It’s part of NY State law. The State also sets the learning standards for PE. Students are not exempt from PE for any reason. If your child has a medical condition or disability, speak to your school’s principal or PE teacher.
Elementary School
Students in kindergarten through grade six must have PE for at least 120 minutes per week. Grade six students in a K–6, K–8, or K–12 school follow the elementary school requirements. Depending on your student’s grade level, they may have PE on different days of the week:
- Students in kindergarten–grade 3 must have PE every day
- Students in grades 4–6 must have PE at least three times per week
Middle School
Middle school students must have PE every semester. The PE time requirement depends on the students’ grade level:
- Grade six students:
- In a K–6, K–8, or K–12 school: Follow the elementary requirements.
- In a 6–8 or 6–12 school: Must have PE for at least 90 minutes per week.
- Grade seven and eight students:
- In all schools: Must have PE for at least 90 minutes per week.
High School
All students in grades 9–12 must have PE in high school.
- Students must have PE for at least 180 minutes per week for 7 semesters, or 90 minutes per week for 8 semesters.
- All high school students must earn the equivalent of 4 credits in PE in order to graduate.
Teachers
For all grades, certified PE teachers are the most qualified to teach Physical Education. A certified teacher has completed the education and training that NY State law requires.
Elementary School
Classroom teachers are allowed to provide PE instruction if they are under the guidance of a certified PE teacher or a PE-certified supervisor.
Middle School and High School
Physical education must be taught by a certified PE teacher.
Students with Disabilities: Adapted PE
New York State law requires students with disabilities to have physical education (PE) as part of their education. Many can be in a regular PE class, sometimes with support or changes to the activities and equipment so that they can succeed. Others may need to receive PE in a smaller class. In Adapted Physical Education (APE), PE teachers change activities, games, and sports so that all students can take part safely. By law, only a certified PE teacher may teach APE. Students who require APE have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 accommodations that outline their needs.
Health Education:
All students must take health education. This includes lessons on HIV and AIDS prevention, every year. It’s part of NY State law. The State also sets learning standards for health education.
Elementary School
Students in grades kindergarten through five must have health education every year.
- New York City Public Schools recommends 45 minutes (one class period) of health education per week.
HIV Lessons
- Students in grades kindergarten through five must have five HIV lessons per year.
Middle School
Middle school students must take a health education course. The health instruction time must add up to 54 hours.
- Middle school students can have health education:
- Every day for one semester
- Twice a week for one year
- Once a week for two years
HIV Lessons
- Students in grade six must have five HIV lessons.
- Students in grades seven and eight must have six HIV lessons per year.
High School
High school students must take a health education course. The health instruction must add up to 54 hours.
- High school students usually have health education every day for one semester.
- All high school students must earn the equivalent of one credit in health education to graduate.
HIV Lessons
- Students in grades nine through twelve must have six HIV lessons per year.
Teachers
For all grades, certified health education teachers are the most qualified to teach health education. A certified teacher has completed the education and training that NY State law requires.
Elementary School
Certified health education teachers or classroom teachers may provide health education instruction.
Middle School and High School
Health education must be taught by a certified health education teacher. In some cases, schools may allow a teacher who does not have a health education certificate to teach one health class.