When people think of school sports, they often envision cheering crowds, teams in jerseys, and after-school practices. However, a big question arises: do school sports actually help students perform better academically?

We know that students involved in any school sport are required to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 to participate in events. But do they all have to work hard to achieve this, or do some simply have a natural inclination toward good grades?

I asked some student-athletes how being involved in a school sport has affected their grades and focus in class. Aaron Saldana, a junior runner from track and field and cross country, shared, “Being in sports has affected my grades a bit because of the time commitment. Right now, I’m taking college classes in high school, and most of the time, I’m tired after practice and just want to sleep or relax. But I have to go home and do homework.”

Celeste, also a junior runner from track and field and cross country, echoed similar sentiments: “Being in a school sport has affected my grades by making it very hard for me to be present in class. Because of that, I miss out on assignments and sometimes have no idea what’s going on.”

These honest responses from student-athletes show that while being part of a sport can teach discipline and time management, it also demands a lot of energy. Students typically take more than five classes a day, each with its own set of assignments, projects, and deadlines. After hours of practice or games, it can be challenging to stay focused, especially with the pressure to perform well academically.

You might wonder why students choose to continue with sports despite these challenges. For many, sports are not just a hobby; they are a passion. Celeste remarked, “Ever since I started running, I knew I always wanted to get better at it.”

I also asked Aaron whether he thinks he would perform better or worse in school if he weren’t involved in sports. He replied, “I would be doing better because I would have more time to study, along with the energy and concentration to focus on each subject.”