e h t n i o J Club!
Teachers and administrators
have long understood the benefits of student participation in extracurricular activities. Kids who make time for sports, fine arts, clubs and dances tend to do better all around — a phenomenon that Greg Hroch hoped to quantify when he co-founded 5-Star Students. His program tracks and incentivizes student participation. Educators can use the data to identify risk factors, implement strategies and support kids who don’t engage. The data proves what schools have known for years — students who participate in school activities do better
16 • SanDiegofamily.com • September 2019
Anne Malinoski
Benefits of Student Involvement
academically, have superior attendance records and get in trouble less often. Here’s a closer look at five specific benefits of student involvement, based on research compiled by 5-Star Students and Advanced Education Measurement (AEM).
Self-Esteem Kids who take part in extracurriculars and other school activities report higher self-esteem than those who don’t. When they participate in sports, clubs and even spirit days, kids cultivate deeper friendships and a feeling of belonging. Whether they’re running drills on a sports field or running lines for drama
club, engaged kids enjoy the benefits of active self-improvement and develop a sense of their place in the community.
Academics Research shows that kids who participate outside of class earn better grades. On average, they are a full grade point ahead of their peers who do not. Not surprisingly, they also score higher on state standardized tests. Darren Daniel, Assistant Superintendent at Murrieta Valley Unified, says students who participate in extracurriculars tend to care more about their school, which leads to more concern about their own academic contribution. His district