Save High School Sports For years, sports have been a part of America's high schools. They are a source of pride for the school and give people a connection to their school. They break up the otherwise mundane routine of going to class and doing homework. In recent years, considerable effort has been made by researchers, educators, politicians, and parents to understand why American schools consistently lag behind other countries in crucial testing subjects. One of the final reasons for the shortcomings of American students is the integration of sports into the American school system. Some are beginning to think that the goal of schools is no longer education and that sports play a more important role within schools. The idea of ​​completely removing sports from schools is starting to become a topic of conversation, but is it really the solution for America's schools? Some people think that students should just play club sports if they want to continue playing sports. Cutting school sports programs is not the answer to solving the problems in America's schools. Interscholastic athletic programs enable students to become more well-rounded athletes, help them perform better academically, and provide a sense of community for students, parents, and other community members. When students play for their high school teams, it gives them a greater chance of becoming a well-rounded athlete. In recent years, club sports have begun to gain popularity in the United States, particularly in soccer. Chicago Tribune reporter Vikki Ortiz Healy explains some of the reasons why students and parents are starting to move away from high school sports and toward club sports. “Students and parents, often motivated by the middle of a sheet of paper, believe that school should come first. Finally, school sports create a community environment with athletes, students, parents, teachers and others living in the community. Sport is about much more than winning and losing. They give students a sense of pride in their school and make them want to go there. Sport has been part of schools for many years and does more good than harm. School can't be all work and no play! Works Cited Anderson, Joel. “Varsity Blues: Alternatives to High School Gaming Abound. » Tampa Bay Times July 14, 2013: n. page. Print. Bowen, Daniel. “High school sports don’t kill academics.” The Atlantic October 2, 2013: n. page. Print.Ortiz Healy, Vikki. "Be loyal to your school? Athletes have options." Chicago Tribune August 14, 2013: n. page. Print. Ripley, Amanda. “The Case Against High School Sports.” The Atlantic September 18, 2013: n. page. Print.