Abstract
Physical education and having a physical education specialist on staff, as well as physical activity, physical fitness, diversity and socioeconomic status, have been overlooked with regards to their potential impact on academic achievement as a result of most of the research focusing on leadership. The purpose of this study is to examine data from the top elementary schools in academic achievement throughout the United States, and determine what is similar or different regarding physical activity, physical education, physical fitness, socioeconomic status, diversity and access to physical education specialists in these top schools when compared with the national average schools. The participants consisted of the top public elementary schools in the United States based on the websites https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-schools/, thebestschools.org, and neighborhoodscout.com. Data for socioeconomic status, diversity, physical education and physical education specialists, and extracurricular activities was collected and analyzed, and compared to national averages. Socioeconomic status: 62.8% of the top schools had 10%, 81.10% had 20%, and 92.68% had 47.5% of students or less on free or reduced lunches. Diversity: Of the top elementary schools, 133 of 164 schools had one predominant ethnicity: 120 white, two African American, one Hispanic, and 10 Asian/Pacific Islander. The white population w the most dominant race present, exceeding the national average by 13%. Physical Education and Specialist: 95.1% of the top elementary schools had access to both physical education and a specialist. Extracurricular Activities: All of the top elementary schools had access to an afterschool program with extracurricular activities. Socioeconomic status likely had the greatest impact and could explain how these schools were able to have access physical education, physical education specialists, extracurricular activities, and therefore more opportunities for physical activity, physical fitness, and greater learning opportunities towards academic achievement.