McDowell High School

McDowell High School is the largest high school located in northwest Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Erie. The 11/12th grade building houses 1200 students and mandates a semester of physical education each year of high school. The school operates on an alternating day 85-minute block schedule. Students rotate through a variety of fitness, lifetime and team sport units that are taught by certified PE teachers.

With the reception of the Carol M. White PEP grant in 2007, the district has provided the needed resources to make significant positive changes that have greatly impacted PE at the high school level. All students have a pre and post Microfit personal fitness assessment done each semester and receive a printout of their progress.  The PE curriculum has been revamped to provide more lifetime activities such as archery, tennis, golf, badminton, kickboxing, and ultimate Frisbee. All students utilize heart rate monitors, participate in Hopsports and workout on the strength and cardio machines in our fitness center.  

A highlight each winter is when all PE classes are bussed to Asbury Woods Nature Center to cross country ski and snowshoe. Local golf pros come to McDowell to teach golf. Ongoing staff development helps staff keep pace with the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality PE for all students and prepare them for a lifetime of physical activity.