Why High School Sports Benefit Students and Their Families

Many students choose to add a high school sport to their schedule — and for a good reason. Being a part of an athletic team can provide ample benefits for both a student and their family. But why exactly are high schools sports important? And what are these benefits? Keep reading to learn more about the significance of being a high school athlete. 

Why are High Schools Sports Important? 

Why are high school sports important, you ask? Becoming a high school athlete means more than just adding a few hours of practice to your schedule. It extends beyond physical wellness and invites students, and their families, to become a part of something bigger than themselves. Students and their families have the opportunity to create an environment that fosters close relationships and life-long skills. Like our head football coach, Jim Shapiro, says, high school sports are all about “building champions while pursuing championships.” 

High school student athletes are privy to benefits that will stick with them well past high school. From leadership to exceptional teamwork, becoming a part of your high school’s athletic program is a decision you won’t regret. 

Read on to learn more about all these benefits of high school sports. 

Benefits of High School Sports

Though the busy schedule of being a high school athlete may seem overwhelming at times, it provides more than enough benefits to make up for it. These include: 

Improved Academic Performance

One of the main reasons why high school sports are so important is the opportunities they provide for students to excel in other areas of their lives. For example, research has shown that students who are involved in athletics have higher grades and test scores than those who don’t participate in sports. 

Part of this can be attributed to the requirements schools often impose on students regarding the academic performance needed to participate in extracurricular activities. Another part may be due to the strict schedule that high school student athletes maintain in order to attend practice while still getting homework and studying done. 

Development of Life Skills

Additionally, athletes often develop important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, compromise, and time management. For high school sports teams to succeed, every athlete must be willing to put in the time and effort. They learn how to become strong team players and leaders, developing into well-rounded individuals. 

Sense of Community and Involvement

High school sports also offer a sense of community and belonging for students. By being part of a team, students can make new friends and feel supported by their peers. This can be especially important for teenagers who are trying to figure out their place in the world.  

Parents are a part of this strong sense of community as well. In addition to having team members to lean on for support, parents and families can be a reliable source of support and assist students as they grow through their sports. 

Preparation for College

Finally, high school sports help students prepare for college. Many colleges and universities may look at an applicant’s involvement in athletics when making decisions about admission. In particular, colleges will look to those life-long skills and how those skills make them well-rounded candidates for their school. 

And let’s not forget that if a student hopes to achieve an athletic career in college, participating in high school sports is a great way to start!

Find Your Sport at King’s Schools

Now that we’ve answered, “Why are high school sports important?”, it’s time to join the team! King’s Schools offers a variety of high school sports (7 options for boys and 8 options for girls) for you to choose from. With 51 state championships under our belt, our teams are committed to becoming champions on and off the field. 

At King’s Schools, we provide our students with the opportunity to exemplify the character of Christ through their teamwork and commitment to both their sport and academics. King’s Schools were named the 1A Scholastic Cup Champions 11 times for our outstanding dedication to academic excellence and athleticism. 

Visit King’s Schools to learn more about our athletic programs or check out our teams’ schedules to watch a game and see the benefits in real-time!