As a home school you are eligible to participate in the President's Challenge. The following information will help you get started and answer some questions that we frequently receive from home schoolers.

What is the President's Challenge?
It's a program for encouraging students to make staying active part of their everyday lives. The President's Challenge includes the Active Lifestyle program, the Presidential Champions program, the Physical Fitness Test, and the Health Fitness Test.

Which program is best for my children?
If you're new to the President's Challenge, the Active Lifestyle or Presidential Champions program is perfect for you. You don't have to be a qualified instructor in order to award your children. They simply log the activities they do.

Your children can participate in the Physical Fitness Test or Health Fitness Test as well, but instruction and testing must be carried out by a certified physical education teacher and/or specialist.

How do I become a qualified instructor?
If you are a physical education teacher you are already qualified to administer the programs. If not, we suggest that you contact a local school that uses the President's Challenge and speak with a physical education teacher. Ask them to help you with the program or offer to assist them when they conduct their testing. Once you have done this you will be qualified to administer the tests on your own. Call 800-258-8146 for help in locating a school in your area that is taking the President's Challenge.

What preparations are needed?
Before performing the Physical Fitness Test or Health Fitness Test, all children should be taught the correct techniques for all components, including proper pacing and running styles. This site includes in-depth information on each test event.

The "Get Fit" handbook is a great way for students to learn about fitness and activity while preparing to meet the President's Challenge. This booklet can be downloaded from our website or ordered by calling 800-258-8146.

How often should these tests be administered?
The President's Council recommends testing in either of these programs at least twice each year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Usually, but not always, instructors like to use the fall test as a benchmark and use the spring test as a means of assessing and compiling awards.

There is no limit to the number of tries that children have for each testing event of these programs. All five events must be performed in order to qualify for an award. Physical fitness assessment is most effective when it is part of a comprehensive physical education program that includes educational and motivational information.

What is the State Champion Award?
The State Champion Award is given to one school in each of three categories with the highest percentage of children earning the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. Winners receive free special awards for the students who earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award as well as a certificate for the school.

You must have at least 50 students in order to be eligible. If your home school is part of a co-op that has 50 or more students combined, you can enter as one home school using your results.