Laguna Hills High School


Laguna Hills High School

Independent Study Physical Education ISPE

What is Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE)

Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE) is an option for students in grades 9–12 who train and compete at a verified elite level in a qualifying sport or activity. Elite status must be documented through official rankings, qualifying standards, competition results, elite program selection, or comparable verification from a nationally recognized governing body or competitive organization.

ISPE is not a waiver from Physical Education. It is an alternative way for eligible students to earn Physical Education credit through an approved, structured, off-campus training program while enrolled in an SVUSD independent study Physical Education course. The Physical Education teacher of record will assign required coursework, which may include activity logs, training records, reflections, verification documents, and other assignments. Students are responsible for completing all required course components independently to receive credit.

Eligibility and Participation Requirements

  • Grade Level: Students must be enrolled in grades 9–12.
  • Academic and Citizenship Eligibility: Students must meet SVUSD academic and citizenship eligibility standards to qualify for and remain enrolled in ISPE. [View SVUSD eligibility standards]
  • Sport-Specific Criteria: Applicants must meet the approved SVUSD Sport-Specific Criteria (bit.ly/ISPE-sport) for their sport. If a sport/activity is not currently included in the SVUSD Sport-Specific Criteria, the student may submit documentation for review by the district’s ISPE Review Committee. To be considered for future inclusion, documentation must show that the sport/activity has a recognized governing body, a formal competitive structure, a verifiable method for determining elite-level participation, and consistent, sustained moderate-to-vigorous physical activity that aligns with physical education outcomes.
  • Physical Activity Requirement: The sport or activity must require consistent and sustained moderate-to-vigorous physical activity that meets California physical education instructional minute requirements and supports physical education outcomes, including physical fitness, movement skills, and participation in health-enhancing physical activity. Activities that are primarily recreational, primarily non-physical, or not aligned with physical education outcomes do not qualify.
  • Ongoing Training Requirement: Students must participate in structured, sport-specific training and instruction under the supervision of an approved coach, club, or team for the duration of the semester. Training must occur on a regular school-day basis and may not be banked or completed in large blocks.
  • School Sport or Course Availability: ISPE will not be approved for a semester in which the student’s school offers a Physical Education class or athletic team for that sport.
  • Team Sport Eligibility: Applicants may qualify through a team sport not offered at their comprehensive high school, only when the team operates at a high competitive level. The team must be governed by a recognized organization, select members through a competitive tryout process, maintain a practice schedule comparable to an in-season high school team, and participate in high-level regional, state, or national competitions. Participation in a non-school team sport does not automatically qualify a student for ISPE.

General Information

  • Students in grades 9–11 must remain enrolled in a full schedule of six classes. Students in grade 12 must remain enrolled in a minimum of five classes. ISPE counts as one of the student’s enrolled courses.
  • Students may earn up to 10 PE credits through ISPE if the sport is offered as a PE class or athletic team at the student’s school, and up to 20 PE credits if the sport is not offered.
  • ISPE approval is not automatically renewed. Students must reapply each school year or semester, depending on the term for which ISPE is requested. Prior approval in SVUSD or another district does not guarantee approval.
  • Students enrolled in ISPE as 9th-grade students are required to complete the California Physical Fitness Test.

Final Grades

  • Students enrolled in ISPE are required to complete all assigned coursework through the SVUSD independent study Physical Education course. Final grades are based on the completion, quality, and timely submission of required assignments.
  • Students must remain actively engaged in the approved training program throughout the semester. If a student cannot participate in the approved training, competition schedule, or required PE activities for a significant portion of the term, the student may not receive ISPE credit.

Student Responsibilities

  • Students enrolled in ISPE must maintain regular communication with the ISPE teacher and complete all required course assignments by the stated deadlines. Failure to complete coursework or maintain consistent participation may result in loss of ISPE credit.
  • Students must notify the ISPE teacher and school if their training schedule, coach, team, club, academy, or competitive status changes.

Application and Document Submission

STEP 1: Complete the online ISPE application during the open application window: bit.ly/SVUSD-ISPE-App 

STEP 2: Submit the following documents in hard copy to the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Guidance:

The application and supporting documents must clearly demonstrate that the student meets the SVUSD sport-specific qualification criteria and can consistently participate in structured, sport-specific training throughout the semester.

Final approval is determined by the SVUSD ISPE Application Committee based on the submitted application, supporting documentation, sport-specific criteria, course availability, and alignment with Physical Education requirements.

Applications and all required documents are due no later than three weeks before the start of the school year or semester. Late, incomplete, or unverifiable applications will not be approved.