The value of extracurricular activities

A well-rounded education including exposure to high-quality extracurricular opportunities helps to build life skills essential to your child’s success, and can help further their academic achievement. Leadership, teamwork, and character are essential components of high-quality extracurricular programs offered in schools. Joining a club, working on a local service project, or landing a role in a theater production gives a student the chance to develop leadership skills, encourage cooperation among peers, and begin to better understand how their individual contribution can make a real difference in the lives of others.

No one would contest the value that these skills and characteristics carry when choosing a career and becoming a contributing member of our community. In addition, numerous studies have shown that participation in extracurricular activities is positively correlated with academic achievement and significantly enhances student development, intellectually and socially. And when it comes to the transition to college, admissions officers agree that a well-rounded student, committed to both academic achievement and activities beyond the classroom, is a gem when it comes to selection criteria.

Participation in sports, theater, art, choir, music, clubs, and community service provides an opportunity for students to discover their passions and identify and develop their strengths, self-confidence, and character in ways beyond what is possible within the walls of the traditional classroom. A student who pitches for the school baseball team may discover his leadership potential by helping the team out of a difficult situation. Another student in band may discover the important benefits of collaboration and working collectively to achieve a common goal. Both students may also develop their talents to a level that allows them to continue to pursue their passions in college and beyond. At the very least, they have explored an interest and had an opportunity to develop a skill and be influenced by dedicated coaches, artists, and teachers who have a passion for helping students pursue their interests and develop their talents.

At Trinity Prep, over 70 percent of our students play on at least one athletic team and a large majority of our students participate multiple activities available in our extensive extracurricular program. Whether it is robotics, Science Olympiad, drum line, or working on our Habitat House, we want to provide students opportunities to explore, serve, and shine. We encourage our students to set the bar high and provide the utmost support in helping them maximize their potential in everything they choose to do, and we believe that these opportunities are an important part of the reason our students experience academic success.

Wherever you choose to send your children to school, be sure to encourage them to explore and participate fully in the life of the school. It will provide a well-balanced approach to prepare them to confront challenges and make a difference in their communities and world around them in an ethical and responsible manner.