All students at Belmont High School must complete four years of physical education in order to graduate. One Physical Education (P.E.) credit is awarded for the completion of one semester of coursework, for a total of eight required credits over four years. All ninth grade students must complete Wellness, a year-long course that is worth two credits. All eleventh grade students must take Positive Decision-Making, a semester length, one-credit course.

Earning Physical Education Credits

In addition to the two required courses, there are three ways students may earn the remaining five P.E. credits needed for graduation. Students may combine any two of the three ways of earning P.E. credits to earn their two-credits per year. 

• The first way to earn P.E. credits is through enrolling in a course that is offered during the regular school day. Each semester-length course in the Program of Studies is worth one P.E. credit. Students can arrange to enroll in P.E. courses during regular course selection in the winter. 
  
• The second way for students to complete their P.E. requirements is to compete in a Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association sanctioned sport. Each season of competition (fall, winter, or spring) is awarded one credit. 
  
• The third way students can fulfill their P.E. requirements is through the completion of an “Independent Study” course. 
  

Independent Study Credit can be earned through participating in organized activities that are outside of the BHS program. Some examples of acceptable activities are participation on a “club” team, such as rugby, crew, or ultimate Frisbee or participation in a physical activity that is “instructionally-based,” such as a dance program, or martial-arts lessons. Depending on the nature of the activity, students may enroll in an Independent Study in Physical Education that is either half year (one credit) or a full year (two credits) in length. Independent Study Courses must meet for at least 30 hours per semester. As is the case with all Independent Study Courses at BHS, a student may not take an Independent Study in P.E. that replicates the existing BHS curriculum. The full set of rules governing Independent Study courses can be found in the BHS Program of Studies. Forms for Independent Study in P.E. are available in the Guidance Office and completed forms for First-Semester and Full-Year Independent Studies must be returned by the first Monday in June. Forms for spring Independent Studies will be due the first Friday after the holiday break in January. Applications submitted after the stated deadlines will not be considered. 

In order to receive credit at the end of the semester or year, students must submit a verification letter documenting the completed hours from the place/instructor of the activity.