Northwest Academy is an open and well-rounded school when it comes to adapting to students’ needs and interests. One point of conflict, however, is its accommodations for athletes, their schedules and their workloads.
NWA has never been a school directly affiliated with sports. There are options for students who still want to participate in sports, such as joining the PPS school in their neighborhood. While this seems like an ideal arrangement it, in reality, is extremely stressful, impractical and arguably steers student athletes away from NWA.
“I would have definitely come to the high school if they were more accommodating to students who wanted to do sports,” said Lydia Creany, a 2024 eighth grade NWA graduate.
A NWA school day ends at 3:50 which is 20 minutes after the PPS school day ends. This 3:30 release gives PPS athletes time to get ready and make their way to the field. As a NWA student I would get my training clothes on during a passing period and would leave school about 20 minutes early to catch a bus. Even with leaving early I would still arrive late to practice, often receiving a small repercussion from my coach. On meet days I would leave even earlier.
In addition to regular nightly homework, students who participate in sports typically have makeup work for their missed class time that can take longer than just the time they missed. This extra work causes decreased sleep, increased stress and burnout.
I propose that the school becomes more considerate of student athletes in ways such as: teachers giving more leniency towards small things missed in class, not lowering engagement grades for little bits of missed class and acknowledging the burnout that comes with being a student athlete.
I also suggest that in the long run when attempting to get students to attend NWA, admissions should include a little segment during tours or on the website on how a student could potentially stay involved with sports while still going to an arts-focused school.
Making an effort could be anything from a teacher offering an extension to offering to meet to help understand something they missed in class. In order to feel supported as a student athlete it is important for the teachers to articulate that they want this student to succeed with school and sports.
