For most kids at Acton-Boxborough, summer means sleeping in, vacations, summer jobs, and getting as far away from school as possible. But for many students it also means early mornings, laps around the track, and games on Leary Field.
Summer PE (Physical Education) has been one of the most popular programs at AB for years. It lets students knock out their physical education requirement before the school year even starts. I sat down with Summer PE teacher and coach Michael Morris to find out why so many kids keep signing up.
More freedom during the school year
According to Morris, the biggest draw is simple: it frees up your schedule once classes begin.
“The biggest benefit is that students stay active over the summer and don’t have to take PE during the school year,” he said.
That extra block is huge for students juggling sports, clubs, and tough classes. Instead of heading to the gym every other day, they get a free or prep period they can use for homework, studying, or just to relax. At a high-pressure school like AB, that flexibility is gold.
What Summer PE actually looks like
It’s not just endless workouts. Morris runs a pretty varied program.
A typical day kicks off with attendance in Stearns Gym, then it’s out to Leary Field for stretching and a mile run or walk, followed by a cooldown. After that, students rotate through games like uUltimate fFrisbee, Wiffle Ball, Spikeball, tennis, pickleball, or weight training. Rainy days mean indoor stuff, such as basketball, badminton, table tennis, and more.
Fridays usually turn into big group games like Capture the Flag.
Why students keep coming back
Morris says the program’s popularity is tied directly to how intense academics are at AB.
“Summer PE has always been very popular because of the high academics here,” he explained.
For a lot of students, it’s not about dodging PE — it’s about creating some breathing room in their schedule.
Discipline that sticks
Jonathan Lobo, who took the program, said the discipline it built was the real surprise.
“I would 100% recommend it,” he told me. “It taught me discipline and gave me a free period I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Unlike regular PE, Summer PE doesn’t let you slack. Students had to run or walk multiple laps around Leary Field four times a week, no matter the weather said. Waking up at 8 a.m. took some getting used to, especially on 90-degree days, but Lobo says it was worth it.
“It felt good knowing I started my day strong,” he said. That early-morning habit even carried over into the school year, making it easier to wake up and stay productive.
Final advice
Morris keeps it straightforward: come ready to be outside in the heat and bring a good attitude.
“Most students end up enjoying it once they’re in it,” he said.
For many, Summer PE turns out to be more than just checking off a requirement, but rather a chance to build better habits that last long after the summer ends.
Lucas Corbett is a senior at Acton Boxborough Regional High School who is interning as a writer at the Acton Exchange. He is planning on attending Syracuse University as a sports management major.
