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Extracurricular activities
The North Mesquite High School band performs at a marching band competition, one
of many types of extracurricular activities engaged in by American studentsA
major characteristic of American schools is the high priority given to sports,
clubs and activities by the community, the parents, the schools and the students
themselves. Extracurricular activity is educational activities not falling
within the scope of the regular curriculum but under the supervision of the
school. These activities can extend to large amounts of time outside the normal
school day; home-schooled students, however, are not normally allowed to
participate. Student participation in sports programs, drill teams, bands, and
spirit groups can amount to hours of practices and performances. Most states
have organizations which develop rules for competition between groups. These
organizations are usually forced to implement time limits on hours practiced as
a prerequisite for participation. Many schools also have non-varsity sports
teams, however these are usually afforded less resources and attention. The idea
of having sports teams associated with high schools is relatively unique to the
United States in comparison with other countries.
Sports programs and their related games, especially football and/or basketball,
are major events for American students and for larger schools can be a major
source of funds for school districts. Schools may sell "spirit" shirts to wear
to games; school stadiums and gymnasiums are often filled to capacity, even for
non-sporting competitions.
High school athletic competitions often generate intense interest in the
community. Inner city schools serving poor students are heavily scouted by
college and even professional coaches, with national attention given to which
colleges outstanding high school students choose to attend. State high school
championship tournaments football and basketball attract high levels of public
interest.
In addition to sports, numerous non-athletic extracurricular activities are
available in American schools, both public and private. Activities include
musical groups, marching bands, student government, school newspapers, science
fairs, debate teams, and clubs focused on an academic area, such as the Spanish
Club.
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