Over 72% of Seattle Prep students play a sport, whether that be swimming in the fall, bowling in the winter, or lacrosse in the spring. This means 566 out of 725 Prep students play at least one sport, making their lives busy and leaving little free time after practice. To graduate from Seattle Prep, a student must have at least 2.0 Health and Exercise credits with each health class being 0.5 credit.
As freshmen, all Prep students take HEX and as sophomores, all students take Health and Wellness. These required classes make up half of the credit required for graduation, leaving students to take either life fitness or strength and conditioning sophomore and junior year to fulfill graduation requirements.
However, there is another option for the class of 2027. Instead of taking numerous HEX classes to achieve graduation credit, if a student plays 2 seasons of Prep sports, they could qualify for a “HEX credit”. To be eligible, a prep athlete would need to complete 2 seasons of athletics in their freshmen and sophomore year. A student must be an active athlete on the team; managers or other positions do not count towards the credit.
For many students in the class of 2025, having this HEX credit has been a huge benefit. Junior Elsa Castro played soccer and basketball as a freshman and sophomore and was able to use the HEX credit to her advantage. As a sophomore and junior, she has been able to take 3 art classes, printmaking, photography, and choir. Currently, Elsa is in a semester-long social studies class, Contemporary World Problems, a class that would normally only be open to seniors. But because of her HEX credit, her schedule allows for it.
“Having this credit is really cool!” said Castro “I get to take contemporary world problems, taught by Ms. Slack a teacher I really love and wanted to have again. I have also gotten to take lots of arts classes like printmaking.”
This thought is echoed by many other juniors who were able to get the credit. If you are already doing sports, why should you be expected to do something athletic in school in addition to that?
“The HEX Credit Through Athletics program is specifically for students who are committed to an exceptional level of fitness through Prep offerings outside of HEX classes.” when talking to Vice Principal Mrs. Kramer about the decision to implement the credit.
For non-student athletes or one-sport athletes, unfortunately the HEX Credit is not applicable. Students will still be required to take 2 credits worth of HEX classes.
This year, the class of 2025 has the option of applying for an HEX credit again, and it will only be available to these rising sophomores. Junior Alexandra Booth highly recommends that they apply for it stating: “It might make school a bit harder… but for me, it’s worth it because I already do a sport, so this way, I’m getting something useful.”
