Making Fitness Fun: Sports in Peck's Lower School

In Peck’s Lower School, sports classes are anything but ordinary physical education (PE). Picture students racing to solve math problems mid-game, collaborating to “rescue treasure” during an obstacle course, or taking a muscle-activating pop quiz in the middle of bombardment.

These moments aren’t just about movement— they’re about learning perseverance, teamwork, and problem-solving in a way that feels effortless and fun.

“Kids learn through play," says Physical Education Teacher/Athletics Coach Laura Caruso. "We design games and activities that feel like fun but are packed with intentional lessons.”

From their first day, students learn the fundamentals of physical fitness and various sports. Simultaneously, they learn how to compete, striving for common goals alongside classmates-turned-teammates, practicing problem-solving and strategizing within a group, and recognizing that everyone’s contributions are vital to the success of the whole.

These experiences expand their capacity for resilience, sportsmanship, and the ability to navigate both successes and failures—all critical life skills that not only prepare them for Peck’s competitive athletics program, which begins in fifth grade, but serve them well beyond the playing field.

“We call it ‘sports’ instead of ‘PE’ to help students see themselves as athletes and teammates from a young age,” explains Caruso.

“Whether they’re competing in a team sport or learning to solve problems on the field, they’re gaining confidence, determination, and the interpersonal skills needed for an athletic mindset. For example, we want to build their capacity for raising up their teammates, communicating even when frustrated, or getting up again even if they fail, because their team needs them.”

Bombardment, a perennial favorite of any Peck student, is an example of a fun, team-based game that scales to highlight a wide variety of teachable moments. Using soft foam balls, students learn physical skills like aiming, throwing, catching, and dodging while also building interpersonal skills like problem-solving and collaboration to “save” teammates who were previously eliminated and bring them back into the game.

The game is often modified to add bonus challenges, including anything from knocking down pins to changing the number of teams, and even academic challenges such as asking students to perform two exercises that use muscles in the lower body during a game-pausing pop quiz.

“We might integrate a math or science concept into the game or create mini-teams to encourage interpersonal skills. The students don’t even realize they’re learning critical life skills because they’re having so much fun.”

Indeed, Peck’s holistic approach to sports blends social-emotional learning with physical and academic concepts. Activities are designed to meet individual students’ needs, fostering communication, mutual respect, and an appreciation for everyone’s unique contributions, regardless of their specific strengths.

“The goal is to create an environment where students support one another as teammates,” says Caruso. “We meet each child where they are and create opportunities for everyone to succeed and grow.”

By combining movement, play, and character education, Peck’s Lower School sports program nurtures multifaceted learning, skill development, and a strong sense of belonging. “When our students hit the field as Upper Schoolers, they feel prepared and confident because of the foundation we’ve built together in the Lower School,” Caruso reflects. “They’re learning to be teammates, leaders, and problem-solvers—all while having a great time.”