In a black leotard and pink tights, Meade Senior High School student Reagan Argo-Wilbanks briefly looked up from the floor to show off a jazz pose, one hand on her hips, the other holding an imaginary tipped hat.

“She’s very sassy in class today,” said her friend Ava Lynch, who’s a student at Arundel Middle School.

Reagan is shy, but loves dance. Her face lights up at the mention of jazz, which she practices during summer dance classes at Old Mill High School.

Ava looks out for Reagan; they became friends during dance class. One has a disability and one does not.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools hopes to build upon the success of friendships like theirs. In the coming year at least four high schools will offer fitness and dance classes for students of varying abilities, with the goal of pairing students with and without disabilities.

While most physical education classes accommodate students with disabilities, they are often separated from students who are not disabled, according to school officials.

The new classes are designed to foster communication, empathy, inclusion, leadership, critical thinking and teamwork. Students will listen to each other’s needs, work around each other’s limitations and support each other through cruel taunting and social exclusion.

“What we’re hoping for is that as the course progresses, more of their peers step up and create the modifications and create the games to help their friends who have disabilities to participate in these activities and games,” said Deb Marcus, a physical education teacher.

Students in the fitness classes will learn a variety of games, such as bocce, bowling, tennis and yoga, activities that can be enjoyed through a lifetime. The dance classes allow students to explore creative movements.

The classes will be flexible. If it’s hard for a student to hold up his arms, he might hug a beach ball instead. A jump could be a small hop. Nets may be lowered. A stage appearance could happen in a wheelchair.

Inclusion is the core lesson — a value to be practiced. Students will be called upon to complete a group project that brings attention to the needs of the disabled community — which makes up 11 percent of the student body. They can also perform their dance routines or activities for their classmates, teachers and parents.

The school system has offered after-school fitness programs that pair up students, such as Ava and Reagan. These physical education courses mark the first time that students can earn credit toward graduation by enrolling in these courses. School administrators expect that more high schools will offer the course in the spring.

Beyond fulfilling a school requirement, teachers hope their students, like Reagan, find love for a game or dance.

Reagan envied pop stars like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, said her mother, Elizabeth Argo-Wilbanks. But she was too nervous to be on stage herself.

“Because of the music, it helps her feel ‘I can do this. I’m going to be excited to move.’” said her mom.

chuang@mcall.com