Practising a sport has many benefits, whether we are talking about high school students, parents, or elderly people. Did you know that sports can prevent health diseases such as diabetes, can help control blood sugar, get rid of stress and lots more?
And that’s just some of the benefits we chose to mention. There’s a lot more, but for that, I suggest you head over to a certified website (here’s this one, for example) explaining the health benefits of practising sports. This might be the missing piece to drive your ambition to the next level and get you to start moving.
So, given that we’ve established the fact that sports are good for us, we can easily conclude that we’re doing everything in our power to ensure that young generations are loving and excelling at sports. Right?
Why is Balancing Academics and Athletics Important?
Studies from the National Alliance for Youth Sports – a non-profit organisation providing various programs and services for everyone involved in youth sports – have found that around 70% of young generations give up sports by the time they reach high school.
Once these students quit sports, they might be seen as lazy, disorganised, unambitious, or not good enough at sports by their peers, family, coaches, etc. When in reality, there are lots of other things that teenagers can consider when quitting sports.
Wondering what might determine a young person to quit sports?
Think of injuries, competition anxiety, the pressure to succeed, managing schoolwork, problems at home, or other scenarios that life can throw at us. These can all lead to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other behavioural and emotional disorders.
All of these scenarios and more may contribute to an athlete quitting sports out of fear of being unable to balance it all.
So, how can we make it easier for young athletes to stay in the game? As part of the educational landscape, we thought about some solutions that might solve your issue if you are dealing with anything similar to what we described above. At Spark Hybrid High School, we want students to discover and nurture their passions, not give them up.
Let’s explore together how online schooling for athletes can help them stay engaged in sports while not having to give up school or social life.
1. Flexible Schedules for Training and Competitions
At Spark, we understand the demands that student-athletes face. That’s why our online education platform empowers student athletes to craft flexible schedules that seamlessly integrate their sports needs or personal lives.
Take Asztrid, for example, a dedicated volleyball player who has training in the afternoons. With Spark’s flexible learning model, she can tackle her coursework during her peak focus hours, ensuring she gets some social time with her friends. This learning model supports her in not missing any of her games or practices. However, Asztrid mentioned that she mostly wanted to be a Spark student because she wanted the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. This allows her to pursue not only volleyball but also horseback riding. You go, Asztrid!
“I love to practice sports, and my two favourite sports I love playing and stuck by them are horse riding and volleyball. As education is also very important as well as sports, you have to find a balance, and Spark gives you the opportunity to balance the things you like while also doing school.” – Asztrid Sz., Year 11 student at Spark
2. Personalised Learning Plans
Personalised Learning Plans are a must for athletes who do not want to feel the burden of unnecessary courses. Of course, from an educational standpoint, no course is unnecessary, and each has something valuable to teach us. But that knowledge might not be relevant to everyone’s future career path.
At Spark, young students and athletes can choose the subjects they would like to study, thanks to the flexibility of the Cambridge International Curriculum. Not only that, but they can also choose when they want to study, and they can go through the curriculum at their own pace.
This allows them to find the balance between sports and academics and focus on the area they want to or need to focus on for a specific timeframe. For example, if they had to travel 2 weeks for a sports tournament and they were not able to take part in classes. That’s okay with us. We are cheering on you!
3. Access to High-Quality Curriculum and Resources
At Spark, we’re committed to providing a top-notch online education to our athletes. Our rigorous academic programs are designed to challenge and inspire student-athletes while not interfering with their personal or professional lives, providing them with the much needed balance.
Whether it’s our advanced science courses or specialised tutoring in subjects like history, our resources and courses are crafted to foster academic excellence, setting the stage for a bright future.
4. Reduced Travel Time and Fatigue
Gone are the days of enduring long commutes to traditional schools. With Spark’s online education, athlete students can say goodbye to the hours spent in transit. The time they get back from this is an actual game-changer. It means more hours on the field, more restful nights, and a rejuvenated body and mind for peak performance.
Orlando, our First Graduate at Spark, confessed that long commutes were one of his biggest pain points in high school. He mentioned that he was losing precious time commuting while spending the rest of his free time doing coursework, leaving little to no time for socialising and other activities.
5. Enhanced Time Management and Discipline
Spark’s hybrid learning environment cultivates skills that go beyond textbooks. We teach responsibility by allowing our students to craft their own learning schedules. Sure, a tutor is there to ensure they don’t go missing, but they are the primary person responsible for scheduling their learning hours or tutoring sessions and ensuring they don’t fall behind.
Apart from Time management, our young athletes also exercise their communication skills by having a great system to ask questions, ask for help, or communicate needs with tutors, peers, etc.
6. Integration of Technology for Enhanced Learning
In our hybrid high school, technology isn’t just a tool – it’s an ally. Our digital learning platform, virtual assemblies, tutoring sessions and collaborative spaces ensure that the online education our athletes receive is as engaging and effective as possible.
With easy access to resources, our students can delve deep into subjects that ignite their passions, all while leveraging the power of tech for a richer educational experience.
Our Courses are built on an Engage-Learn-Practice-Master approach, and with this approach, we’re ensuring that our students are not only learning by reading from a screen but also applying what they learn and taking it out into the world.
7. Supportive Community and Mentorship
At Spark, we believe in the strength of the community. We are equipped with inspiring expert tutors, and we’re in continuous development of landing partnerships with sports clubs. Because we want to make Spark a home for young athletes and provide them with opportunities to succeed in their careers – while not asking them to give up on their dreams.
Take Tashi’s example. He’s not a sports person, but he is a maths enthusiast. He found his person at Spark. Miss Iulia Bratfalean-Igna, our spectacular maths teacher who helped him develop an even stronger interest and fascination in maths. This is what Tashi’s father said about his journey since he joined Spark:
“Within two months, Tashi will have completed his first year at Spark, and we can say that this school is what we ever dreamed of for him. Tashi flourished in many aspects, and we, as parents, are thrilled with his progress and the space he has for cultivating his own interests… In his journey to performance, Tashi has been greatly supported by the Spark team with many things that were beyond our reach, with a special mention to Miss Iulia, the academic director and mathematics tutor, who put a lot of effort into this.”
8. Preparing for College and Beyond
For student-athletes aiming for higher education, Spark provides a unique advantage. Excelling in both academics and athletics opens doors to scholarships and future career opportunities.
Our counsellors work hand-in-hand with students, helping them showcase their achievements and experiences in a way that sets them apart on college applications and paves the way for a bright future beyond the high school years.
Ignite Your Journey to Success with Spark School’s Hybrid Learning
As we’ve explored the benefits of online education for athletes, it’s clear that Spark School provides a transformative experience for young students looking to excel in sports.
Our commitment to flexible schedules, personalised learning, and a supportive community ensures that every student can pursue their passions wholeheartedly.
By embracing the power of technology, we’ve created an educational environment that empowers young athletes to excel both in the classroom and on the field. The stories of our dedicated students are all the proof we need to know that balancing academics and sports is possible when passion meets purpose.
What Next?
For More Inspirational Reading – Meet Miruna, our passionate student who loves horse riding.
If you are an athlete who’s passionate about winning, consider joining Spark. We’re in the bleachers, cheering on you, and we want to help you win every future game.
Contact our Admissions team today and inquire about ways in which we could improve your performance, on and off the field. ⚽
