In addition to the social and emotional benefits of participating in extracurricular activities, students who participate in sports may also experience academic benefits. For example, a study by the University of California, Berkeley found that high school athletes had higher GPAs and were more likely to graduate from high school and college than students who did not participate in sports. This suggests that sports can help students develop the skills and habits that are necessary for academic success, such as time management, goal-setting, and teamwork.
Overall, the evidence suggests that students who participate in sports in high school are more likely to participate in other extracurricular activities and experience a number of social, emotional, and academic benefits.