Varsity Brands 2024 White Paper Study

Outcomes: Essence of School Spirit

When a student possesses high spirit, there is a direct ripple effect between students, parents, and faculty. This creates a positive atmosphere within the school community, fostering collaboration and motivation for academic and personal growth.

Increased Engagement Compared with lower-spirited students, higher-spirited students showcase increased engagement in school activities post-pandemic. Between the period before and after the pandemic, 56% of high-spirited students actively participated Principals and administrators, especially in IMPACT schools, observe a surge in student participation in extracurriculars since the pandemic. A notable 82% overall believe students are more participatory, with a stronger agreement from IMPACT schools (92%), compared to non-IMPACT schools (76%). IMPACT Principal Todd Spinner of Olentangy Berlin High School, located in Delaware, Ohio, stated that out of the 1,800 students he oversees, about 1,600 of them participate in extracurricular activities. Another IMPACT administrator, Assistant Principal Zach Ferry of Bay High School located in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, mentioned that in response to the increased interest his school was experiencing from students, it has expanded its extracurricular offerings in recent years. “We’ve introduced several new activities, including bowling and archery. We’ve reached a point where our students want more opportunities for involvement, aligning with their interests and passions. We’re consistently trying to find ways to accommodate them and create a sense of belonging within our school community. I’ve seen a surge [in student participation] over the past couple of years. Most students just want to participate in some form of club, sport, or activity, and we’re constantly trying to find ways to have activities for each individual at our school.” – Zach Ferry, Principal

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