Physical Education and Health

Physical Education and health classes are part of the daily Stanbridge curriculum for students in all grades. Our elementary students learn the same sports principles and perform similar exercises in P.E. class that our competitive teams do in practice:
  • Demonstrate mature techniques for the following patterns:
    • Overhand and underhand throwing
    • Catching and striking
    • Kicking and trapping
    • Dribbling (hand and foot)
    • Volleying
  • Demonstrate basic offensive and defensive skills and strategies in team and individual physical activities
  • Identify responsibility of a leader in physical activity
  • Work effectively in pairs or small groups to achieve an agreed-upon goal
Students in junior high and high school also have a health curriculum component incorporated into their P.E. classes, and high school students set personal P.E. goals by tracking their one-mile run times over the course of the school year, as well as charting their improvement performing basic exercises and aerobics.

P.E. is taught on campus, often outside when weather-appropriate or in the Marilyn Center, our indoor gym/auditorium. Classes are designed to be fun and energetic without over-extending students. Often, P.E.-related afterschool clubs are offered to all students (see below), and all students in grades 7–12 can opt to participate in competitive sports by joining one of our Bay Area Small School Athletic League (BASSAL) teams as a Stanbridge Bulldog.

Competitive sports at Stanbridge

Interscholastic athletic competitions—whether they be badminton or basketball—are emblematic of the American teenage lifestyle. And yet, despite the seeming pervasiveness of such activities, a whole section of the population is often absent from the tryouts, competitions, games, pep rallies, and halftime shows key to the quintessential high school experience. 

In 2015, Stanbridge Academy became a founding member of the co-ed Bay Area Small School Athletic League (BASSAL). In addition to having a population of approximately 100 students or less, each of the schools in BASSAL have one other thing in common—they all cater to students with learning differences. 

Athletics establish important productive and helpful behaviors that promote a favorable atmosphere for learning and life. Our athletics program instills lessons about responsibility, teamwork, sportsmanship, respect, commitment, positive social skills, leadership skills, self-confidence, and achieving goals. Being a part of an athletic team helps students become better social observers, deepening their understanding of their own and others’ thoughts and emotions.

​Stanbridge Bulldogs compete in a variety of seasonal competitive sports, including:​ 
  • Team Handball
  • Basketball
  • Cross-Country
  • Volleyball
  • Table Tennis

​Whether it’s perfecting the three-point shot, completing each pass, or improving agility and stamina, we’ve seen our students fully embrace the personal challenges and rewards that our athletics program offers. You can see growth in each and every Stanbridge athlete!​

Upcoming Events

HANDBALL
Wed., November 14  •  4:30 p.m.
Stanbridge vs. Sterne

DODGEBALL
Fri., November 9  •  3:30 p.m.
Stanbridge vs. Compass

Club sports and extracurriculars

In addition to league sports and daily P.E. classes, Stanbridge students have other opportunities to engage in structured, physical activity. Afterschool club offerings regularly include options for activities such as yoga and swimming lessons (the latter through a partnership with the San Mateo YMCA). Annual all-school events such as Field Day and Beach Day feature interdivisional groups of students competing in picnic-style games and friendly competitions that help build interpersonal and teamwork skills. Summer School options typically include a week of basketball camp and various sports camps that allow students to learn the basics or sharpen their skills in a non-competitive, encouraging environment. You can read more about these offerings on the Afterschool & Summer School page in this section of our website.