• Health Enhancement & Physical Education

    Yearlong courses may be taken as a semester class upon request.

    Health 9 (required for graduation)

    Length of class: 1 year, 1⁄2 credit; follow the calendar
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade level: 9
    Freshman Health is a required course that meets on even or odd days according to the calendar date. Practical information for overall health and wellness will be presented. Emphasis of study and discussion will be placed on human body systems, nutrition, healthy relationships, tobacco, alcohol, drug awareness, and prescription medications.

    Physical Education 9

    Length of Class: Semester (even or odd days)
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade Level(s):  9
    Freshmen will have three class components to satisfy their freshman HP credit. All class options are based on Great Falls Public School District’s critical competencies and meet Montana and Great Falls Public School District #1’s Health Enhancement Standards. The classes are co-ed and are designed to help students achieve and maintain a challenging level of health-related physical fitness. Fitness testing will be utilized in all class options. Specific activities will be incorporated in each option to allow individual student success.

    SWIM 9-Swimming

    Length of Class: Semester (even or odd days)
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade Level(s): 9
    ​Student will receive instruction on the six basic swim strokes and techniques; diving, snorkeling, water safety, survival skills, leisure time activities, and aquatic fitness will also be covered.
    Download the course syllabus.

    Health 10 (required for graduation)

    Length of class: 1 semester, 1⁄2 credit, class meets daily.
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade level: 10; open to 11 and 12 for makeup. 
    Sophomore Health is a required course that meets every other day according to the calendar date. Practical information for overall health and wellness will be presented. Emphasis of study and discussion will be placed on: stress management, mental and emotional health including self-image, coping with loss and suicide prevention, resolving conflict and violence prevention, reproduction from conception to birth, STD’s and HIV as well as body systems.

    Physical Education 10

    Length of class: Semester
    Prerequisite: Physical Ed 9
    Grade Level(s): 10; open to 11 & 12 for make-up
    This course will cover a variety of sporting activities with both team concepts as well as individual skills. Activities will include a mixture of cardiovascular workouts and strength training workouts to compliment the team sports. Classes are co-ed and are designed to help students achieve and maintain a challenging level of health-related physical fitness.

    Wellness for Life (offerings based on requests) (All students will attempt 9th P.E. first)

    Length of Class: Year
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade Level(s): 10-12
    This course is designed for the student who may have difficulty with personal fitness and will focus on understanding the importance of physical activity in a healthy lifestyle. The course will include aerobic activities from walking, jogging, and swimming, as well as resistance training and other lifetime sports and skills. The course will also include sessions on how to make better dietary and lifestyle choices with personal fitness plans made by students and utilized throughout the semester. Students in this course will also work with some of our students with special needs that are enrolled in P.E. courses. This course will require instructor and counselor approval.

    Weight Training

    Length of Class: Year
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade Level(s): 10-12
    This class will utilize our SC weight room for basic to advanced skills in building and toning muscles for both strength and endurance This class in not for those participating in extra-curricular sports.

    Female Weight Training

    Length of Class: Year
    Prerequisite: None
    Grade Level(s): 10-12
    This (females only) course will work with both the female athlete looking to build strength and endurance as well as the young lady that wants to learn about weight training for muscle fitness and toning.

    Advanced Swimming

    Length of Class: Semester
    Prerequisite: PE 9, Swim 9 & Permission of Instructor
    Grade Level(s): 10 (if space available and instr. allows) 11, 12 
    Prior approval of instructor and initial Red Cross pre-testing is required. Prospective students should have received an A or B in Swim 9. Depending on class size and make up, SCUBA diving, lifeguard training and certification may be covered. Aerobic and strength conditioning through lap swimming and drills will be stressed. The first week of class students will perform two Red Cross tests to determine eligibility for class. This class may be taken for credit more than once, but only if there is room, and with permission from the instructor.

    Athletic Weight Training

    Length of Class: Year
    Prerequisite: Participation in a sport
    Grade Level(s): 9-12
    This class requires involvement in an extra-curricular sport activity at GFHS and will focus and the advanced lifts of muscle building and maintaining endurance levels for competition. This class is for males and females. Freshman will get into class if there is availability and a freshman coach provides recommendation for this.