Saratoga High School replaced standard P.E. with CrossFit, and while all kids might not like putting in the effort, most report that they’re seeing great results.
Saratoga High School in Saratoga, Calif., is the home of CrossFit Sawmill. We are, as far as we know, the only comprehensive public high school that not only offers CrossFit classes to our students but also offers no alternative. All our physical fitness (formerly physical education) classes are based on CrossFit principles and are taught by certified CrossFit instructors. We have 10 sections of Beginning Physical Fitness throughout the schoolday, and our facility is used extensively by athletes in our after-school sports programs, as well as by groups of teachers and school staff—all under the supervision of our instructors.
One thing that makes our affiliate unique is our clients do not pay to be here; they are compelled to be here. Students must earn 20 units of physical education credit (the equivalent of four semesters) to graduate. You can earn credits if you are a member of the marching band, and you can earn credits for playing sports after school. But if you are not a musician or an athlete, as of this year you are a CrossFitter.
So what does the average 15-year-old think about that?