Startup Supplements Physical Education With Video Lessons

Physical education is among the most-skipped high school classes in the nation, and repeated absences from this non-academic course, which only requires participation, account for a significant percentage of students who don't graduate on time, according to Paul Suhr, chief product officer for the ed-tech startup Hiveclass. He said the problem may go beyond the simple dislike of physical activity: Maybe the student is self-conscious about their body shape or lack of athleticism. Perhaps they don’t want to change in a locker room or feel uncomfortable returning to class after working up a sweat. But whatever their reasons, his company uses the technology of asynchronous learning to offer a flexible solution: Let them make up the class on their own time, in a private setting where they are more comfortable and may even embrace the joy of movement.

Hiveclass produces a digital video platform with a content library containing more than 1,800 videos across multiple sports, fitness and wellness areas through a subscription-based service. Suhr said one district in New York state recently authorized a physical education credit recovery program for use with the company’ s digital video platform, and he expects many more to follow. And in New York City, more than 20 schools are using the tool, up from just a single school when the company set up shop in 2022.

“We’re meeting kids where they’re at,” Suhr said.

All told, about 70 schools and libraries across 20 states have subscribed to Hiveclass, entailing more than 10,000 students, Suhr said. He added that the company was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic during desperate times for online instruction in every subject area. A shortage of physical education teachers and gym/outdoor activity space also contributed to Hiveclass’ rapid growth, though the company’s intent is to extend or supplement PE instruction time and help students who would otherwise fall through the cracks, not replace teachers. He said content varies by age and has met middle and high school state standards across the country, but the company is still in the process of meeting requirements for elementary school grades.

While most Hiveclass instruction is based on sports, Suhr said, the main idea is to keep participants active and moving, not to hone skills or to prepare for competition. One of the short soccer videos, for example, demonstrates “foundations” where the participant repeatedly moves the ball back and forth between the balls of both feet while keeping knees slightly bent. Consistent drilling could result in better ball control and quickness, but more to the point, it’s a good cardiovascular workout.

For students, the platform includes quizzes, checks for understanding and journal entry options, as well as videos on nutrition and mindfulness, or techniques for maintaining a positive mental state and focus on learning, Suhr said.

Hiveclass also contracts with the Department of Defense to serve children of servicemembers who move regularly to different bases across the country or overseas, where there might be inconsistent physical education instruction.

“They can take their volleyball coach with them,” Suhr said.

According to a 2022 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 54.1 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 17 participated in sports during the 2020 calendar year. While that number may not sound alarming, the percentage decreases by income and household education measurements.

“Schools are the first line of defense, but PE classes have a high truancy rate,” Suhr said. “That’s sad for a lot of kids.”