Life Lessons Learned From Sport
Excellence is not just something that happens by chance.
It is a continuous effort that happens over time. A private school with a good
athletic program will lay the foundation for excellence and build lasting
character and achievement throughout life.
Through the participation in sport, students learn about the importance of key
values including:
- Honesty;
- Teamwork;
- Fair play;
- Adherence to rules;
- Respect for themselves and others.
Many private schools offer athletic programs, which rival
many universities resulting from:
- Dedicated coaching staff;
- First rate facilities.
Almost all students at a private school are required to
participate in a sport on a regular basis and offer a half-day during the week
dedicated to athletics. Students who participate in sports generally excel
academically. They can apply the same principles of dedication and hard work
learned by participating in athletics to their studies. There is an
overwhelming amount of evidence focusing on the positive effects of sport on
physical health, growth and development.
Private School Athletics Complemented by Academic
Excellence
The
best private schools that emphasize sports have shown to
improve the learning performance of students and fuel a desire to succeed
academically. A private school with a good athletic program has an educational
impact and changes can be seen in a student's:
- Motor skills development;
- Performance;
- Academic potential.
Numerous studies have shown that there is a positive
correlation between physical activity and academic success.
Top
prep schoolsnot only offer high-level varsity sports that are often some of the most
competitive programs in the country, but at the same time have high student
academic achievement. Teachers help students build a learning community in the
classroom by modeling and encouraging positive interaction, helping them to
become better team players.
Sports are only one component of a quality
preparatory school education with a good athletic
program. A private school with good athletic program understands that the
spheres of sports and academic complement each other. A private school with a
good athletic program also gives students the opportunity to learn many
valuable lessons.
Environment that Prepares for Life Beyond Athletics
Sport builds healthy activity habits that encourage
life-long participation in physical activity and contributes to the holistic
development of young people. Whether team-based or individual, sports provide a
variety of benefits for students apart from physical activity. Attending a
private school with a good athletic program can:
- Improve confidence;
- Build self-esteem;
- Develop social skills;
- Promote leadership;
- Teach the importance of cooperation;
- Instill a sense of responsibility;
- Create a positive approach to competition;
- Give pride in athletic success and how to
cope with losing;
- Motivate to excel academically.
Athletics emphasizes participation, commitment and skill
development. Additionally, participation in sports teaches students the
benefits of goal setting, practice and perseverance. Participating in sports
allows students to gain confidence in their abilities and that assurance helps prime
them to find success as adults.
One of the greatest advantages of a private school with a
good athletic program is that your child will get an education that prepares
them for a life outside the playing field.