Health and Wellness Curriculum
Bio
Education:
B.A., Biology, Sacred Heart University
Ph.D., Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Brief Background:
Prior to joining Oxbridge Academy in 2015, Dr. Prisco was the director of physical therapy in a sports medicine and orthopedic outpatient clinic, treating an array of injuries. She also used her therapy skills to improve the quality of life for patients in neurologic rehab, trauma, ICU, and wound care.
The Health and Wellness Department at Oxbridge Academy embraces a holistic approach to student well-being, integrating physical education, mental health, and emotional resilience into our curriculum. Our philosophy centers on empowering students with the knowledge and skills for lifelong health, promoting a balanced lifestyle that supports both academic and personal growth. We aim to cultivate an environment where wellness is integral to success, ensuring students are prepared to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
DR. KELLY PRISCO - HEALTH & WELLNESS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Faculty
Nick Agress
Assistant Dean of Students and P.E. Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., Communications/
Leadership Skills, Eckerd College
Brief Background:
Before joining Oxbridge Academy in 2019, Mr. Agress was the coach of the boys and girls volleyball teams at Ransom Everglades School. Previously, he coached the varsity boys and girls volleyball teams and taught at Everglades Preparatory School. He is also a college basketball referee.
Ariel Chimelis
Middle School P.E. Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.S., Physical Education, Hunter College
M.S., Health Education, Hofstra University
Brief Background:
Mr. Chimelis brings a wealth of experience and passion for physical education to Oxbridge Academy as the Middle School PE teacher. With a dynamic background spanning various educational institutions, he has honed his skills and expertise in fostering student growth and athletic development. He previously served as a PE teacher, Assistant Athletic Director, and Lower School Dean of Students at The Pine School before transitioning to roles at Fort Pierce Central High School, where he instructed leadership and first-year seminar classes while coaching volleyball and softball. Prior to that, he held positions at Allen Stevenson and Palmer Trinity, where he excelled as a PE Department Chair and coach for baseball, basketball, and volleyball. His multifaceted experience showcases his dedication to physical education and underscores his commitment to student engagement and holistic development.
Joan Fyfe
Upper School P.E. Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.S., Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University, cum laude
Brief Background:
Ms. Fyfe, an Oxbridge Academy 2017 alumna, brings a diverse background to her role as a PE and Health teacher for ninth-grade students. With experience playing club soccer at Florida Atlantic University, she transitioned to working as an exercise physiologist at an exercise science clinic, specializing in rehabilitating athletes recovering from injuries or surgeries. Last year, she coached the girls' JV soccer team, demonstrating her passion for sports and mentorship. Currently, She is dedicated to promoting health and wellness in the classroom, utilizing her expertise to educate and empower students in both physical education and health studies
Tori Hodge
Middle School PE & Health Teacher
Course Offerings
Courses Offered:
- Lifetime Health & Wellness
- Strength and Conditioning 1
- Sports Medicine Courses
- Yoga
- Zumba
- Sports Medicine 1
- Sports Medicine 2
Lifetime Health & Wellness
LIFETIME HEALTH & WELLNESS
Year • No Prerequisites • REQUIRED For All Ninth Grade Students
This course combines Introduction to Leadership and Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education. The first quarter of this course allows students to explore the foundation of individual social identity, the connection of the human spirit, and the collaboration needed to work for a greater purpose. The remainder of this course enables students to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and maintain a health-enhancing level of fitness and to increase physical competence, self-esteem, and the motivation to pursue lifelong physical activity and create lifelong positive attitudes related to personal health, including mental, emotional, and social health. Health topics include personal health and communicable disease, stress management, nutrition and physical activity, drug awareness, safety and injury prevention, peer pressure, bullying, and human sexuality.
Strength and Conditioning 1
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING 1
Semester • Open to Grades 10-12
This is a basic-level course for students new to the weight room, cardio equipment, and conditioning programs. This class familiarizes students with the weight room and develops a fundamental understanding of strength and conditioning concepts. Multiple forms of resistance exercise, including free weights, weight machines, resistance bands, and conditioning/ agility activities, are incorporated to improve muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, agility, speed, balance, and core strength. Students are instructed on proper lifting techniques, basic strength and conditioning principles, nutritional considerations, and appropriate hydration.
Sports Medicine Courses
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING 2
Semester • Strength & Conditioning 1 Required
Strength & Conditioning 2 provides students with educational instruction to promote high-quality workouts while minimizing the risk of injury. Building upon concepts learned in Strength & Conditioning 1, students will use multiple forms of resistance exercise, conditioning, and agility activities to improve muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, agility, speed, balance, and core strength. Students will also study program design and will be able to create personalized and effective workouts for a variety of fitness goals.
Yoga
YOGA
Semester • Open to Grades 10-12
This course safely introduces students to the benefits of yoga through postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods appropriate for all fitness levels. The class will emphasize asanas (poses) and vinyasa (flow) for increased flexibility and energy, improved health, and stress reduction. As the students progress in their yoga practice, there will be opportunities to explore advanced asanas and breathing techniques and experience other forms of yoga, including Hatha, vinyasa, and power yoga.
Zumba
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ZUMBA |
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Zumba is an interval-style, cardio-based workout with components of resistance training. It incorporates Latin and international music and dance moves to integrate principles of aerobic, interval, and resistance training to maximize caloric output, cardiovascular benefits, and total body toning to achieve fitness goals. It includes easy-to-follow dance and fitness moves that students of all fitness levels and non-dancers can enjoy and benefit from. |
Sports Medicine 1
SPORTS MEDICINE 1
Semester • Open to Grades 10-12
This course is for students interested in sports medicine-related fields. Sports Medicine 1 is an introductory course that provides an overview of various aspects of the sports medicine field. This course will provide basic knowledge of sports medicine professions, injury prevention, anatomy and exercise physiology, and current issues related to sports-related injury. The purpose of the first-aid portion of this course is to provide training in the skills necessary to make appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care and how to provide care for injuries or sudden illness until professional medical help arrives. This course will also offer instruction for breathing emergencies, performing adult and pediatric CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. After completing this course, students will receive first-aid and CPR certification, valid for two years.
Sports Medicine 2
SPORTS MEDICINE 2
Semester • Sports Medicine 1 Required
This course provides detailed information regarding anatomy, kinesiology, etiology of injury specific to body parts, biomechanics, and injury rehabilitation. The material builds on the information taught in Sports Medicine 1 and provides further knowledge on injury assessment, injury pathology, and clinical practices. Sports Medicine 2 is a hands-on course with mandatory volunteer hours and internship work in the Oxbridge Health & Wellness Clinic and with a Health & Wellness staff member during practices and games.
PLEASE NOTE: Course availability fluctuates from year to year. Please review the 2025-2026 Course Catalog for information on course availability and enrollment requirements.