SPS Podcasts

SPS Extra: Benefits of students participating in extracurriculars young

Spokane Public Schools Season 2 Episode 2

From the football field to the classroom, research proves youth involvement in extracurricular activities is beneficial, particularly when started at a young age.

In this months episode of SPS extra Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez talk about those benefits, including higher performance in academics, lower rates of externalized problems and increased success in the activity.

"I can dream about these big things, since I'm really young," 6th grader Juliette Stevens said. 

Juliette has been participating in All-Star Cheer for five years. In just sixth grade, she is already attending the Ferris Cheer Clinic to prepare for the high school level. Not only does that participation help the Juliette, it also helps the high school teams whose participants come in with experience and knowledge. 

The five high school football coaches will be learning that soon, as the district's middle school football program started this year. Hear from North Central's coach and a student-athlete who has been committed to football since Kindergarten in the October episode of SPS Extra.