Extracurricular Activities And Academic Success Essay

A study published in 2007 focused on “high poverty high schools,” where at least half the students were on free or reduced lunch, it showed that the students that did not participate in extracurricular activities graduated from high school 69 percent of the time while students who did participate in extracurricular activities graduated 82.7 percent of the time (“Extracurriculars Boost High School Graduation Rates”). Furthermore students who participate in sports or extracurricular activities compared to those who do not participate or who have not been involved in extracurricular activities show; higher grades and attainment, improved personal confidence and self esteem, greater connections with school, attachments and support from adults,

In the United States, 57 percent of high school students participate in at least one kind of extracurricular activity (Bureau UC). Through extracurricular activities, youth have opportunities to develop very important life skills. Through participating in an activity that requires time outside of the normal school hours, students can learn to manage their time more efficiently. They must also develop rigorous study habits to perform well in the classroom as well as in their chosen activity or activities. Through team oriented activities and clubs, students must learn to work with others and attain interpersonal skills, along with a solid work ethic. Such activities provide a different type of environment than the classroom provides, and help them to become comfortable in various situations. There are many proven benefits when teens participate in extracurricular activities; such benefits include improved physical well-being, higher self-esteem, academic excellence, important social skills, and preparation to succeed not only school, but other settings as well.

When most people think of band, football, photography, and chess club they do not believe that these programs will teach more than how to throw a ball or how to play B flat on an instrument, but that is untrue. There have been many studies done on the effectiveness extracurricular activities (ECAs) have on students, and how these activities produce miraculous outcomes and can be the foundation for the academic excellence of a student. Taxes are so high in our country, and many schools have cut after school programs because of budget expenses, which students will benefit immensely from ECAs throughout their lives because it raises the graduation rate, broadens student’s

Before I discuss why extracurricular activities should be a high priority in school funding, it is vital to understand what is being done and what could be done to achieve these results. One major way to certify that these organizations

Many students participate in extracurricular athletics, but sports are not worth their extreme cost. Amanda Ripley, author of a Scholastic Scope article, states, “Maintaining a grass field can cost more than $20,000 a year” (11). She also says that during out of town games, schools provide transportation for teams, cheerleaders, band, meals, and hotels (Ripley 11). These facts reveal that extracurricular sports waste an outrageous portion of a school’s already quite limited budget and it is absolutely critical to put that money towards updating the campus and creating a better learning environment. Ultimately, if institutions don’t stop squandering their money on after school athletics, the future of education will be a grim one.

With a regular schedule for all these students, everyone is expected to simply do the work at home, and come back to school to turn it in and receive more and do the same process over and over. But when there are other activities a child can be involved in, it makes routines have a slight change. Especially if these certain “activities” are being a requirement and not just an option because there are always students who never try new activities and miss out on opportunities. Therefore, students should be offered extracurricular activities in their schools because it gains skills and builds pride to be successful academically in Anaheim. In the documentary, “Mad Hot Ballroom” the director, Marilyn Agrelo, states that “the kids that are

I conducted an interview with Dr. Martinez, the current principal of Early College High School explained that many of clubs that the school creates have become co-curricular activities or “classes” for two reasons: it easier to fund and to find a coordinator. Up until our interview, I was not aware of this process. However, I have witnessed this first hand as soccer was once an actual school sport, but it eventually became a class. Furthermore, Dr. Martinez noted that it is easier to get an extracurricular activity approved through either CCC or OCC than the school’s own district. Although the students do get to take part in an activity they have some interest in, it is rather considered a class rather than an extracurricular rather than an actual class. This becomes problematic because when students begin to apply for colleges, they are unable to consider as extracurricular because they are taking part in the extracurricular during the school schedule and not outside the classroom. Jeff Brenzel, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University, explains in an interview posted by CollegeBoard, he explains that many colleges prefer students that are well rounded such that they are doing well in academics and involved in an organization. However, he explains that they prefer students that are involved in a organization that they are interested regardless of how popular or how bizarre the organization. This then

Almost every student, at one point, has participated or will participate in an extracurricular activity, whether it be athletic, academic, artistic, or altruistic. Through these activities, students learn valuable life skills and build friendships that last a lifetime. However, a large amount of students do not receive these numerous benefits as they do not participate in extracurricular activities. For this reason, the principal has decided to mandate at least one extracurricular activity for all students. I strongly agree with this decision because extracurricular activities increase academic performance, keep students out of trouble and improve social and mental health.

Over the years there has been a continuing debate about the effects of athletic participation on academic achievement. It has become an even bigger issue now that there are budget constraints in our nation’s schools. Decision makers often find it easy to cut athletic programs because they believe sports are not overly important in the academic arena. In the late 1980’s, Holland and Andre (1987) argued that many secondary schools eliminated some of the extracurricular programs based solely on financial grounds without considering the empirically based knowledge of the positive effects of these programs on adolescent development. It is obvious that decision makers need to be well informed

Throughout high school, I was unaware of the potential benefits extracurricular activities could provide for my character and journey into college. Clubs and physical activities seemed fruitless to my academic career. For the most part, I dedicated my time to either studying or leisure until the end of junior and beginning of senior year when I began applying to colleges. The moment I first read a scholarship essay prompt asking about any significant point when I applied myself or volunteered

The South Carolina law allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities is a just law because it gives equal rights and opportunities to students. One primary reason this law is just is that it gives students the ability to benefit from public district activities, all while continuing their wholesome, Catholic education at home. Therefore, homeschooled students have unrestricted access to all public extracurricular recreation, including athletics, music and speech. From these benefits, aspiring students experience opportune chances for expanding their talents and abilities. For instance, those who enjoy team sports can be actively involved in an organized team in a competitive atmosphere. This

When most people get to the “extracurricular activities” section of a college application, they just list all the things that they were able to do and don’t put any thought in it. It looks great, because it shows that you can not only do your school work, but balance other activities as well. But what we don’t understand is that many kids never get that chance to participate in these activities, and therefore they don’t get to fill out that section and they get left behind.

The recent Great Recession has caused many lower and middle income families to have problems with their children graduating and having academic achievement. More funding is going towards academic achievement in lower income schools rather than dividing it up among extracurricular activities like clubs, art programs, and all athletic programs. With more and more pressure going towards test scores and graduation rates, athletic funding is dwindling at rates higher than ever seen before as the funding is going towards improvement in the classroom (“Elliot”). Extracurriculars are beneficial to the student as they keep them out of trouble and students are able to form new friendships while demonstrating their passion or ability (“Smith”).

As kids get into high school, most parents hope that their kids will join some kind of club or team. A question parents might ask is, “How involved should kids be in extracurricular activities or should they even be involved at all?” Extracurricular activities can be both advantageous and unpromising depending on what the student plans on participating in and also how many activities the student plans participating in. Many studies have been conducted trying to find the answer to those questions.

It is important for adolescents to participate in extracurricular activities. Student who participate in these activities improve their academic scores and social life. Extracurricular activities can also help reduce many peer pressure related problems. “They enrich the lives of the students, their families and our communities. These activities create well rounded children who learn what their interests and talents are because they have been exposed to such opportunities” (Extracurricular Activities, Blogadmin). For most adolescents extracurricular activities should be required among what they do outside of school.