Students Make a Splash at Oak Hill Academy

~Kimberly Abraham, Lower School Physical Education Teacher

“Get your feet wet!” A phrase heard often, especially in school as a pep talk to students who are hesitant to try new things.  But, here at the best private school in New Jersey, you hear that phrase often. Students are literally getting their feet wet, as swimming is a part of the curriculum at Oak Hill Academy.

So what are the benefits that swimming has on a student’s health?   

1.    Physical- Swimming is a great cardiovascular activity because it keeps your heart rate up.  It is one of the best things that you can do to stay fit, burn calories, prevent childhood obesity, tone muscle and build strength.  It takes impact off of your body by supporting it in water, which puts less wear on it over time and can still be done if you have any weight bearing injuries.    

2.    Mental- Swimming improves brain function, lowers stress, reduces anxiety and depression and improves sleeping patterns.  Being in a pool produces a natural, positive response. Swimming awakens and motivates the students and leaves them happily ready to succeed in the rest of their classes at one of the best schools in Monmouth County, NJ.

3.    Social- Swimming can be both a team and individual activity.  It is a great opportunity for students to gain confidence in themselves and each other as they achieve personal and team goals by learning new skills and continuously improving.  Swimming is also a leisure activity that is widely enjoyed outside of school, and the skills that they learn at the pool at Oak Hill Academy is something that they will take with them forever.

Swimming is unique because of the buoyancy of water, which means that it is something that everyone can have fun with, regardless of skill.  When students are having fun, they engage more with one another and more likely to participate and be active. Positive experiences in activity as a child lead to a lifetime of physical, mental and social health.  With benefits like those, it’s no wonder that the students of Oak Hill Academy are so swim-pressive!