The Benefit of Extracurricular Activities in High School: Involvement enhances academic achievement and the way forward

Abstract

Research and data have been cited for over four decades about extra-curricular activities both sportsand non sports related. Non sports related reference such activities as government, publication,journalism, math, and non specific leadership. Although there appears to be much data individuallysupporting each as a whole limited studies seem to be available. Depending on the region manyschools urge and push sports as extra-curricular but do not necessarily promote sports for the benefit ofthe student, unfortunately more-so for the benefit of the school. Just as there were skeptics more thanthree generations ago today some still exist, stating that school is to teach children to read and write,not be a part of a club or that it is distracting and unproductive (Marsh, 2002).