Regular physical activity is important for all New York City kids. New York State recognizes this great benefit and requires all students in New York City schools to take Physical Education (P.E.). Unfortunately, not all students receive the full required amount of P.E. though.
According to the latest report provided by the New York City Department of Education (DOE), 24% or 214,077 of students in New York City Schools did not receive the required amount of P.E. in the 2017-2018 school year.
The City Council requires the DOE to publish data on P.E. by school, but the most recent data was heavily redacted at the school level, creating challenges to analyzing the data.
Not Enough P.E.
24% of Students
214,077 Students
Note: Information provided by the Department of Education (DOE), read more technical details.
Physical Education Requirements
Different grade levels have different P.E. requirements. Students in kindergarten through fifth grades must have at least 120 minutes (2 hours) of P.E. per week, while middle and high school students must have at least 90 minutes (1.5 hours) of P.E. per week.
In kindergarten through third grade, students must have P.E. everyday. Kids in fourth through sixth grades, must have P.E. at least three times per week. Students in grades seven through twelve must participate in PE at least three times per week in one semester and two times per week in the other semester.
Physical Education Requirements
Grades K-5
2 hours a week
Physical Education Requirements
Middle and High School
1 1/2 hours a week
Students Without Enough P.E.
Students in Manhattan were the least likely to get the required P.E., while Queens students were most likely to receive the required amount.
Students Without Enough P.E. by Borough:
- Manhattan: 34% or 43,886 Students
- Bronx: 25% or 45,692 Students
- Brooklyn: 23% or 58,213 Students
- Staten Island: 23% or 12,971 Students
- Queens: 20% or 53,315 Students
2017-2018 School Year
Students Without Enough P.E.
Average percentage of students who are not receiving the required amount of physical education by Community School District (CSD)
2017-2018 School Year
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. are:
- District 23: 51% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 51% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 4: 38% of students don’t get enough P.E.
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the most P.E. are:
- District 30: 12% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 25: 13% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 22: 16% of students don’t get enough P.E.
Race: Students Without Enough P.E.
The average percentage of students who are not receiving the required amount of physical education by Community School District (CSD) by race.
2017-2018 School Year
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. by race are:
Asian
- District 14: 89% of Asian students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 17: 50% of Asian students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 23: 48% of Asian students don’t get enough P.E.
Black
- District 23: 48% of Black students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 48% of Black students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 20: 47% of Black students don’t get enough P.E.
Hispanic
- District 23: 62% of Hispanic students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 51% of Hispanic students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 75: 37% of Hispanic students don’t get enough P.E.
Other
- District 1: 65% of Other students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 4: 64% of Other students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 14: 54% of Other students don’t get enough P.E.
White
- District 4: 63% of White students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 61% of White students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 11: 48% of White students don’t get enough P.E.
English Language Learners: Students Without Enough P.E.
The average percentage of students who are not receiving the required amount of physical education by Community School District (CSD) for English Language Learners (ELL).
2017-2018 School Year
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. by ELL are:
- District 23: 73% of ELL students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 67% of ELL students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 14: 55% of ELL students don’t get enough P.E.
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. by Non-ELL are:
- District 23: 62% of Non-ELL students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 55% of Non-ELL students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 14: 48% of Non-ELL students don’t get enough P.E.
Individual Education Plan: Students Without Enough P.E.
The average percentage of students who are not receiving the required amount of physical education by Community School District (CSD) for students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
2017-2018 School Year
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. by IEP are:
- District 23: 57% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 47% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 4: 46% of students don’t get enough P.E.
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. by Non-IEP are:
- District 23: 57% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 52% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 4: 43% of students don’t get enough P.E.
Sex: Students Without Enough P.E.
The average percentage of students who are not receiving the required amount of physical education by Community School District (CSD) by sex.
2017-2018 School Year
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the least P.E. for female students are:
- District 23: 53% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 1: 50% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 14: 44% of students don’t get enough P.E.
The Community School Districts (CSD) with students getting the most P.E. for male students are:
- District 1: 52% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 23: 50% of students don’t get enough P.E.
- District 14: 44% of students don’t get enough P.E.
Elementary Students and Days of P.E.
2017-2018 School Year
Different schools offer P.E. at various times.
Some schools have P.E. every day, while others have no P.E. at all.
23% percent all elementary schools offer P.E. 5 days a week for kindergarten through 5th grade.
Central Park East 1 and The Michael J. Petrides School do not provide P.E.
This is an overview of data provided by the Department of Education (“DOE”), pursuant to Local Law 102 of 2015 (“LL 102/2015”), relating to physical education in schools.
The analyzed data is presented at the community school district (“CSD”) level, and broken down by student demographics.
DOE is required by LL 102/2015 to report physical education data at the school, CSD, and borough level, however, the most recent data provided by DOE was heavily redacted at the school level, rendering the data insufficient for analysis.
It is important to note that some data at the CSD level was also redacted. Pursuant to LL 102/2015, any category including between 1 – 5 students may be suppressed to protect student privacy.
For feedback, comments, and questions please email DataInfo@council.nyc.gov.
Created by the NYC Council Data Team.