It is well recorded that after-school activities increase scholastic success. Over the last few years, schools have actually tried to broaden the standard extracurricular definition to appeal to a more diverse, and often disengaged, group of trainees who are at-risk of dropping out of high school. Esports simply might be the natural fit.

Absence of Engagement Leads to Hopelessness

According to the U.S. Department of Education, chronically missing students are defined as missing out on 15 or more days of school. Along with being seven times more most likely to drop out of school than their peers, chronically missing students are more likely to experience poverty, have more health problems and have involvement in the criminal justice system.

Dr. Kristy Custer, VP of Educational Innovation, High School Esports LeagueDr. Kristy Custer is the VP of Educational Innovation for the High School Esports League.Prior to signing up with HSEL, Dr. Custer operated in education for 24 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.The past 20 years she has worked with at-risk trainees helping her school earn 2 National School of Character classifications in addition to a Crystal Star Award for dropout avoidance from the National Dropout Prevention Network.Dr. Custer is the 2018 Kansas High School Principal of the year.

Summertime Jibril was a 16-year-old high school sophomore, and she remained in a bad place. Suffering from identified anxiety and anxiety given that her middle school years, she sat on the edge of her bed and contemplated her next move.

” I was in crisis,” Jibril stated. “I actually could not physically require myself to get up and get dressed for school. My mind simply kept duplicating, Whats the point?”.

Esports as an extracurricular activity is growing tremendously in the United States and worldwide. The High School Esports League is the biggest league in the United States with over 3,400 schools. In addition, HSEL has devoted to investing greatly in education by partnering with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation and leaning on educators to create “purposeful play” for trainees through curriculum that concentrates on College, profession and stem preparedness, and social psychological learning..

According to the U.S. Department of Education, chronically absent students are specified as missing 15 or more days of school. Along with being seven times more likely to drop out of school than their peers, chronically missing trainees are more likely to experience hardship, have more health issues and have participation in the criminal justice system.

Providing Students a Why.

” The minute I strolled in, I understood things were going to be different,” stated Jibril. “All of a sudden, I had a why.”.

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Thankfully for her, Jibrils district, USD 266 in Maize, Kansas, had an alternative school for at-risk students that consisted of a brand-new after-school esports group and first-of-its kind elective credit esports class called Gaming Concepts.

” I simply didnt feel like I had any factor to go to school,” said Jibril.

Kristy Custer is the VP of Educational Innovation for the High School Esports League.Prior to signing up with HSEL, Dr. Custer worked in education for 24 years as an instructor, assistant principal and principal.The past 20 years she has actually worked with at-risk students helping her school make two National School of Character classifications as well as a Crystal Star Award for dropout prevention from the National Dropout Prevention Network.Dr. Custer is the 2018 Kansas High School Principal of the year.