I hate how high school is supposed to be about academics, yet high school sports and club teams expect so much

[Anonymous]

It’s insanity. Students are supposed to be spending the equivalent of a full time job on academics, yet sports teams expect students to play since 5 and be on a club team year around to be competitive. The demand is ridiculous. Teachers are frustrated that students are spending so much time on sports, and no one cares about fixing the broken system because everyone is selfish and greedy!

[Anonymous]

Whut?

[Anonymous]

Then, don’t participate in sports.

[Anonymous]

It does t sound like HS and club sports are a good fit for your family. That’s ok because they’re optional. But it works for lots of families and being able to spectate at HS events is a lot of fun for students and their families.

[Anonymous]

Do teachers really care about club sports? I have never heard that.

[Anonymous]

This is an individual thing. Your child doesn’t need to play a school sport. If your child is interested in a low key sports experience, there are lots of casual teams around.

Focus on yourself and don’t worry about things that don’t effect you.

[Anonymous]

We’re not seeing that at all. DD is doing a sport in high school for the first time, and it’s been great for her.

Being busy/active after school means she has to dial in on homework after practice. The team has given her a place to make friends, develop leadership skills and see how hard work leads to improvement.

If it doesn’t work for you, don’t do it, but we’ve seen only positives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s insanity. Students are supposed to be spending the equivalent of a full time job on academics, yet sports teams expect students to play since 5 and be on a club team year around to be competitive. The demand is ridiculous. Teachers are frustrated that students are spending so much time on sports, and no one cares about fixing the broken system because everyone is selfish and greedy!

If they weren't playing a sport they would just have more time for scrolling Tik Tok. Would that be better?

[Anonymous]

Folks are kinda piling on OP, but I get the concern. We expected good grades and test scores in rigorous classes from our kid, and he ended up playing on school and club teams whose focus was sending kids to top D1 college programs. So, his teachers would be assigning a hour of homework a class and offering optional but kinda required study session for AP classed before school and on weekends. Meanwhile, the norm among DS’s teammates was to do basketball activities from right after school until at least 7:30 every day and all weekend. Coaches acted like kids had no homework (and many of DS’s teammates did none) and teachers acted like kids did nothing but study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks are kinda piling on OP, but I get the concern. We expected good grades and test scores in rigorous classes from our kid, and he ended up playing on school and club teams whose focus was sending kids to top D1 college programs. So, his teachers would be assigning a hour of homework a class and offering optional but kinda required study session for AP classed before school and on weekends. Meanwhile, the norm among DS’s teammates was to do basketball activities from right after school until at least 7:30 every day and all weekend. Coaches acted like kids had no homework (and many of DS’s teammates did none) and teachers acted like kids did nothing but study.

But again it’s all optional. And for some kids it’s a lot and others manage it really well.

[Anonymous]

This isn’t hard, folks.

If academics are the priority, opt out of the intensive sports.

If sports are the priority, opt out of the rigorous academics.

There is plenty of choice here, you just need to prioritize appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks are kinda piling on OP, but I get the concern. We expected good grades and test scores in rigorous classes from our kid, and he ended up playing on school and club teams whose focus was sending kids to top D1 college programs. So, his teachers would be assigning a hour of homework a class and offering optional but kinda required study session for AP classed before school and on weekends. Meanwhile, the norm among DS’s teammates was to do basketball activities from right after school until at least 7:30 every day and all weekend. Coaches acted like kids had no homework (and many of DS’s teammates did none) and teachers acted like kids did nothing but study.

What you are describing sounds perfectly appropriate for school and club teams focused on sending kids to top D1 college programs. Being able to balance school and athletics in D1 is essential, and there is no better way to prepare for that than doing the same in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks are kinda piling on OP, but I get the concern. We expected good grades and test scores in rigorous classes from our kid, and he ended up playing on school and club teams whose focus was sending kids to top D1 college programs. So, his teachers would be assigning a hour of homework a class and offering optional but kinda required study session for AP classed before school and on weekends. Meanwhile, the norm among DS’s teammates was to do basketball activities from right after school until at least 7:30 every day and all weekend. Coaches acted like kids had no homework (and many of DS’s teammates did none) and teachers acted like kids did nothing but study.

Kids in marching band or theater might have exactly the same challenges. Again, these are completely optional additional activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s insanity. Students are supposed to be spending the equivalent of a full time job on academics, yet sports teams expect students to play since 5 and be on a club team year around to be competitive. The demand is ridiculous. Teachers are frustrated that students are spending so much time on sports, and no one cares about fixing the broken system because everyone is selfish and greedy!

This sounds like a you problem. YOU having a problem with what other people value. Perhaps you’d be better placed in a country with the same values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks are kinda piling on OP, but I get the concern. We expected good grades and test scores in rigorous classes from our kid, and he ended up playing on school and club teams whose focus was sending kids to top D1 college programs. So, his teachers would be assigning a hour of homework a class and offering optional but kinda required study session for AP classed before school and on weekends. Meanwhile, the norm among DS’s teammates was to do basketball activities from right after school until at least 7:30 every day and all weekend. Coaches acted like kids had no homework (and many of DS’s teammates did none) and teachers acted like kids did nothing but study.

But again it’s all optional. And for some kids it’s a lot and others manage it really well.

+1
I was a straight A student who ended up a D1 athlete. Some kids are just that focused. My parents were neglectful, so they didn’t care about my grades or performance - it was literally all me.