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It's been a *lot* of years since high school, and I find myself needing a better idea of what sorts of things they have the kids doing in PE these days. Especially at the start of the year, and at the start of the second semester. Both boys and girls PE.
Heck, I'm not even sure what sports practices would be going on those times of year (Sept/Oct, and Jan/Feb)
So if you have recent experience (either yourself or your kids, let me know. It's for some of the story plotting I'm doing.
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What my daughter does
My daughter goes to a co-ed high school and this is what they do in gym. I'm not making this up or trying to make it sound funny.
Sometimes they play dodgeball; sometimes they play stickball with one of the balls from dodgeball and a length of PVC pipe for the bat.
Sometimes they play basketball with frisbees in place of balls. They play on the basketball court and have to get the frisbees into the baskets.
The last thing, which they hate, is called Wad (I don't know why). It's calisthenics, like pushups, situps, wall jumps, etc.
She plays on the soccer team, and I asked her, "Don't you ever play soccer or basketball in gym?" The answer was no. I have no idea why.
As to sports, there is soccer in the fall, basketball in winter, and one of the teachers is *trying* to introduce ultimate frisbee for the spring sport.
I'd suggest, if you want a concrete source of info and a schedule, pick a real-life high school and look it up on the internet. Their website will have the sports calendar with dates and all sorts of lovely things that can go right into your story.
Ultimate
In Seattle, at least at some of the public schools, Ultimate Frisbee is offered as a sport and the season starts right around now--about two weeks ago was the first practice, in fact. I know this because my oldest (son) played it in middle and high school and now for the University of Washington, and my youngest (daughter) was planning to do it this year (5th grade; they start as young as 3rd at her current school) until we realized this week that it conflicted too much with her softball league schedule.
How my children came to have this much athletic ability--or any, really--is a separate question entirely. I certainly can't take any credit for it.
As a substitute teacher
I've had the chance to be a high school PE teacher several times. At least in my school district the classes are coed and start with stretches right after taking attendance. At the beginning of the year, they try to get outside as much as possible, which lends itself to running cross country courses, doing such things as seeing how far students can throw a football or softball. Soccer is popular. On stay-in days, stretching nets across the gym so that three games of volleyball can be played at once is popular. The nets can also be used for badminton. Some classes (again coed) do weight training. I've overseen a jazzercize class, a self-defense class, dance class and some creative games. There are always some activities which can be measured so that grades can be given. Everyone is required to "dress out" usually in tee shirts and shorts. People who don't dress are given demerits. Team captains are often used to help the teacher keep things going. It's about the only way one adult can manage 50-60 teenagers. Teams are not chosen (Thank God) like they used to be, but assigned. The start of second semester is the middle of the basketball season, and there are several games around baskets spread around the gym. Also indoor soccer and volleyball. Some days I've had square dance classes. Later in the spring, baseball, softball and track is popular.
Hope this helps.
Suzij
High school PE
When I was in high school, the girls did Jazzercise
May Your Light Forever Shine
I didn't HAVE
I didn't HAVE High School PE... *looks around innocently*
But, as to recent experience - it varies. In our town - at least one quarter of the year is "Health" class instead of PE. That said - almost all PE is indoors - so it's not one specific thing. Unlike when I was in High School - where the kids taking PE all did the same "sport" for a bunch of weeks. Now a days, my daughter's class does at most 2 weeks at any one thing, and sometimes it changes EVERY DAY. The same was true 6-9 years ago with my older daughter. On, and the boy's PE is similar - and more often than not - the two are together.
Anne
Back in my day we did
Back in my day we did basketball,football,running laps around the track. Never did soccer or baseball. When we got to high school we got to choose what type of pe we wanted.