When I and 20 other Upper School students began our days in the first week of classes, our schedules started earlier than most. As opposed to the normal 8:40 a.m. start, our day started at a bright-and-early 8:00 a.m. After three years in development and countless requests from students, Block-0 Physical Education (PE) has finally been introduced into the Westridge course catalog. In contrast to the selection of A–G Block PE course offerings, Block-0 PE occurs from 8:00–8:30 a.m. every morning. Students in Block-0 PE partake in daily exercise classes such as pilates, yoga, team sports, and Westridge-invented games like hyperball.

Block-0 PE was invented to help students balance their course load by giving them an extra free period.

 “I didn’t want to take up one of my free periods doing PE during the day,” Soledad B. ’28 said. 

Typically, the only way to get a free period is to commit two hours each afternoon to a seasonal sport or spend time outside of school playing a team sport, but Block-0 PE offers a 30-minute-per-day alternative. By opting out of the typical A–G Block PE, Upper School students take PE before school and are able to have a free block during a typically full day. 

 “[Block-0 PE] gives me more flexibility in my schedule and it is a fun way to wake up in the morning to make sure I am ready for classes.” said Molly G. ’27, a student in Morning PE teacher Coach Jenna Wong’s class. 

One month in, Block-0 PE has claimed its spot as the most populated Westridge PE class. “We’re at capacity for [the class], so I think that alone says the need that we had for it,” Coach Jenna said. 

In past years, sparsely populated PE classes have relied primarily on straightforward circuit workouts to get the promised exercise. But now with a class this large, students have more choice in the activities they can choose to do. “You can play games and have it be more similar to Middle or Lower School PE, where it’s fun games, and you’re exercising in that way,” Coach Allison Clark ’07, PE Department Chair, said.

Students have been asking for an alternative to the current PE credit system for years, and Block-0 PE is the change some students need to find a balance between free time and getting their required PE credit.

“I took morning PE because I dislocated my shoulder and until it heals, it’s hard to commit to playing a sport for an entire season, because I could risk injuring it even further.” said Soledad, adding, “I chose to do PE in the morning because I have a younger sister who has to be at school at 8 so it’s just convenient for me to come at 8 as well.”

In past years, scheduling Morning PE was a struggle because of a lack of space. Middle School PE used to take place 45 minutes before Upper School classes began, making a morning PE class for Upper Schoolers impossible. This year, however, Middle School PE has been moved to the middle of the day. “And it’s nice that during that zero period, we can use [any location],” Coach Jenna said. 

With a full roster and enthusiastic participants, Block-0 PE has proven to be more than just a course—it’s a vital resource for students seeking balance and well-being as they navigate their education. As the school year progresses, students working to find stability in their schedules look forward to seeing how this new addition will help students succeed in shaping their schedules to work better for them.

“I need the PE credit and PE to fit into my schedule,”  said Teti P. ’28