Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
Getting your student involved in extracurricular activities is beneficial for more than just exercise and creative outlets. Multiple studies have been performed and the results are a lot more influential than initially understood. At Resurrection Christian School, we strive to provide a place for each individual to fit and feel a part of their community. Through extracurriculars such as sports, fine arts and music, we encourage our students to invest and be a part of something much bigger than themselves. Let’s take a look at what benefits you can tentatively expect to see regarding extracurricular involvement.
Academic Success
It has long been known that involvement of activities, like sports and music, are a great benefit to students academically. With a mandatory performance level implemented with participation, a student’s grade is tracked consistently to maintain a high level of performance, balanced with a commitment to their additional activity. According to experts of extracurricular activities, Deam and Bear, stated that “extracurricular activities supplement and extend those contacts and experiences found in the more formal part of the program of the school day.” Additionally, a different study done in 2005 by Darling, Caldwell, & Smith, identified that adolescents involved in extracurricular activities had higher grades and academic aspirations, as well as more positive attitude toward school.
Strictly speaking from an academic standpoint, there is a lot to be said for students who stay active in extracurricular activities. Especially in adolescent years, students are learning a great deal about themselves and how to study. Learning to balance extracurriculars with academic responsibilities helps students develop better time management. Furthermore, another study was performed regarding the correlation of watching television and academic performance and found that those who associated more time with extracurricular activities and less time watching TV resulted in higher test scores and overall grades. There was also an identified correlation with those in music activities versus those not involved with music, and found the influence music had on students greatly improved other unaffiliated academic areas.
At Resurrection Christian School, we empower our students to be more than just a student, we strive to help them be involved in other areas where they can thrive as individuals. Various extracurriculars are available to cater to the unique nature of different students. By opening up opportunity for involvement outside of the classroom, your student will learn more about themselves, what they enjoy, and how to thrive both in their activity, and academically.
Social Benefits
Beyond academic success, extracurricular activities are proving to have a benefit with students’ social interactions and attitudes towards school as a whole. Furthermore, there has been strong correlating evidence with extracurricular activity and a stronger self-esteem, as well as increased positive responses and cooperation.
If you consider the atmosphere of extracurricular activities, students are often required to improve themselves personally, but also work as a team. As a result, they are able to develop better social skills, social support and can even increase motivation with an understanding of commitment. While students engage in these activities and learn time management and social skills, they will also learn the art of stress management. Especially in activities that require a team approach, students will participate with others who will have different perspectives. The necessity will then be to problem solve through stressful situations and compromise. Working together to solve any problem will help create a foundation for effective problem solving with others and moderate conflicts that arise.
One of the strongest benefits students can reap from being involved in a coached extracurricular activity is the chance to have a stronger relationship with authoritative figures. Having a constructive, healthy relationship with students outside of the classroom can help strengthen their self confidence, and even improve their attitudes, in and out of the classroom.
Resurrection Christian School thrives because of our passionate, intentional staff members. Developing our students’ personal passions and goals is part of our calling as educators. Providing a healthy outlet and learning environment for these students is what drives us. As a school, our purpose is to help them each find their place within their Resurrection experience, but also in their community. Helping them develop social skills, problem solving skills, and overall self-confidence will play a crucial role in their pursuit of college, and a career. For this reason, we encourage each student to be involved in something outside of the academic world.
Future Preparation
For students nearing the end of their high school years, filling out college applications can become a hobby of sorts. In the midst of learning how to improve ACT scores, another factor that plays a large role in the application process is the opportunity for scholarships. When a student is involved in extracurricular activities, especially sports and music, they have a higher chance of gaining favor in scholarships.
Speaking on the behalf of the universities, oftentimes students who are involved in extracurriculars gain admittance more frequently. The appeal lies in the ability for the student to contribute to more than just academic success in the university, but society as a whole. This proves that in addition to the social and foundation benefits of extracurricular activities, students are likely to obtain admission to universities with a higher chance of scholarship possibilities.
At Resurrection Christian, our mission is to ensure our students are academically equipped, and globally prepared. With the highest test stores in Northern Colorado, we are intentional in helping our students successfully approach the finish line of high school, and the starting line of college. Providing extracurricular activities is a crucial part of the process, and we strive to raise students up to find their place amidst the crowd, and thrive as an individual in society. We take great pride in our staff members and are passionate about the success and growth of each student.
Check out Resurrection Christian School today! With an unwavering faith and Christian culture, we strive to build a boldness and perseverance in each student which which we interact. We proudly represent a variety of backgrounds and beliefs in our culture here at RCS, and we can’t wait to meet you. Sign up here to take a tour of our campus.
