USA Water Polo and USPA to offer Flexible Education to rising water polo athletes
Elkins, N.H. – US Performance Academy (USPA) is thrilled to announce that it has become the Official Online Academic Partner of USA Water Polo. USA Water Polo, the governing body for the sport of water polo in the United States, is responsible for fielding U.S. National and Olympic Teams while also hosting a wide variety of annual tournaments in an effort to grow the sport across the country. The organization is headquartered in Irvine, California with member clubs located throughout the United States. This collaboration establishes an academic and athletic pathway to enable junior water polo athletes to train and compete while receiving a high-quality online education.
“USA Water Polo members have long been high achievers in and out of the classroom and the USPA’s rigorous and flexible education aligns perfectly with their needs,” said Jamie Davis, CEO at USA Water Polo. “We’re excited that this partnership will offer our members exclusive discounts on tuition, collegiate eligibility guidance and more.”
In addition to online seminars, USPA will attend select USA Water Polo events to provide in-person expert guidance from Family Advisors and support junior water polo athletes on their journey to college as they train and compete at elite levels.
“It’s an incredible fit for USPA to partner with USA Water Polo,” said Pete Smith, Founder and President of USPA. “USA Water Polo has become synonymous with excellence in youth sport and we could not be more excited to work with such an amazing organization. Our school provides athletes the kind of academic flexibility that results in a distinct advantage over the competition.”
USPA’s unique online learning model empowers motivated student-athletes to train, travel, and compete at the highest levels in their chosen sport. Unlike other online schools, USPA is fully accredited and NCAA approved. It offers flexible school schedules, academic calendars, and a comprehensive support system for students in grades 6-12. Through this partnership, young athletes can pursue their goals in sports without compromising their education.
To learn more about USPA, visit www.gouspa.org.
Follow USPA on social media:
Instagram: @usperformanceacademy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USPerformanceAcademy
Media Contact:
Megan Burch
Phone: 603.715.0519
Email: megan.burch@gouspa.org
About US Performance Academy:
US Performance Academy is an online school for high-performance athletes in grades 6-12, providing the flexibility to achieve both athletic and academic success. Through a comprehensive educational support program, USPA’s teachers, learning coaches, counselors, and coaches create a community where online education and performance intersect with a human connection.
About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With nearly 50,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org
USPA offers Flexible Online Education to the Elite Shamrocks players
Elkins, N.H. – US Performance Academy (USPA) is thrilled to announce that it has become the Official Online Academic Partner of the Watertown Shamrocks, a Tier II Junior ice hockey team located in Watertown, South Dakota. The team held their first game this September in the NAHL Central Division.
“USPA’s flexible, high-level education aligns perfectly with the needs of our athletes who want to advance their academic prospects while enhancing their game,” said Shamrocks Head Coach, Casey Kirley. “Our athletes are constantly on the move and with USPA, school goes where they go, taking the worry out of missed school days.”
“It’s also an incredible fit for USPA,” said Pete Smith, Founder and President of USPA. “The Shamrocks attract some of the best hockey players in the country, and we are thrilled to be their academic resource. We specifically see these athletes taking advantage of our Postgraduate Program to stay sharp and increase their collegiate marketability.”
USPA’s unique online learning model empowers motivated student-athletes to train, travel, and compete at the highest levels in their chosen sport. Unlike other online schools, USPA is fully accredited and NCAA approved. It offers flexible school schedules, 12-month academic calendars, and a comprehensive support system for students in grades 6-12, plus PG. Through this partnership, athletes can pursue their sporting goals without compromising their education.
To learn more about USPA, visit www.gouspa.org.
To connect with a USPA Family Advisor, visit https://gouspa.org/contact/
To register for USPA’s Virtual Open House, visit https://gouspa-2829907.hs-sites.com/virtualopenhouse
Follow USPA on social media:
Instagram: @usperformanceacademy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USPerformanceAcademy
About US Performance Academy:
US Performance Academy is an online school for elite athletes in grades 6-12, providing the flexibility to achieve both athletic and academic success. Through a comprehensive educational support program, USPA’s teachers, learning coaches, counselors, and coaches create a community where online education and performance intersect with a human connection.
Media Contact:
Megan Burch
Phone: 603.715.0519
Email: megan.burch@gouspa.org
USA Volleyball and USPA offer Flexible Education to Junior Volleyball Players Worldwide
Elkins, N.H. – US Performance Academy (USPA) is thrilled to announce that it has become the Official Online Academic Partner of USA Volleyball. USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of volleyball in the United States and is recognized as such by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). This collaboration establishes an academic and athletic pathway to enable junior volleyball players to train, travel and compete while receiving a high-quality online education.
“USPA’s flexible, high-level education aligns perfectly with the needs of our junior volleyball community,” said Jamie Davis, President and CEO of USA Volleyball. “Our athletes are constantly on the move and with USPA, school goes where they go, taking the worry out of missed school days.”
In addition to online seminars, USPA will attend select USA Volleyball events to provide in-person expert guidance from Family Advisors and support players on their journey to college and elite athletics.
“It’s an incredible fit for USPA,” said Pete Smith, Founder and President of USPA. “USA Volleyball is a top-tier NGB in youth sport and we could not be more excited to work with such an amazing organization. Our school provides athletes the kind of academic flexibility that results in a distinct advantage over the competition.”
USPA’s unique online learning model empowers motivated student-athletes to train, travel, and compete at the highest levels in their chosen sport. Unlike other online schools, USPA is fully accredited and NCAA approved. It offers flexible school schedules, academic calendars, and a comprehensive support system for students in grades 6-12. Through this partnership, young athletes can pursue their goals in sports without compromising their education.
To learn more about USPA, visit www.gouspa.org.
To connect with a USPA Family Advisor, visit https://gouspa.org/contact/
To register for USPA’s Virtual Open House, visit https://gouspa-2829907.hs-sites.com/virtualopenhouse
Follow USPA on social media:
Instagram: @usperformanceacademy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USPerformanceAcademy
About US Performance Academy:
US Performance Academy is an online school for high-performance athletes in grades 6-12, providing the flexibility to achieve both athletic and academic success. Through a comprehensive educational support program, USPA’s teachers, learning coaches, counselors, and coaches create a community where online education and performance intersect with a human connection.
About USA Volleyball
Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and World ParaVolley as the National Governing Body for the sport of volleyball including the disciplines of beach, indoor, sitting, snow and beach Paravolley in the United States. With more than 425,000 registered members, USA Volleyball conducts national championship events, coaching and officials certification programs, and grassroots development across all disciplines in a lifetime sport in which all can participate. USA Volleyball’s teams have won an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984, five Paralympic medals since 2004 and numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. USA Volleyball’s women’s teams are the reigning gold medalists in the Olympic indoor, beach and Paralympic events. The United States is the first country to have won a gold medal in each discipline at a single Summer Games. For more information on USA Volleyball, visit www.usavolleyball.org. #PathtothePodium
Media Contact:Megan Burch
Phone: 603.715.0519
Email: megan.burch@gouspa.org
Innovative online school and elite youth training program join forces to provide elite student-athletes rigorous, flexible schooling option
Elkins, N.H. – US Performance Academy (USPA), the only fully accredited, NCAA-approved online school for committed student-athletes in grades 6 through 12, announces an exciting new partnership with Sports Academy, one of the nation’s premier sports training organizations. Now the Official Online Education Provider of Sports Academy. USPA will offer student-athletes the flexibility to train and compete at the highest level while obtaining a rigorous, high-quality education that is custom-tailored to fit within their family’s busy lifestyle.
“Both Sports Academy and USPA strongly believe that education and sports play an important role in molding young people,” said Chad Faulkner, Sports Academy CEO. “It is our duty to make sure that our athletes have the right tools to thrive both academically and athletically. By joining forces, we provide athletes and families with a proven positive pathway for accelerated development.”
Blending rigorous, comprehensive, and technologically advanced curriculum with the human attention and guidance from individual learning coaches, USPA supports the student-athlete’s unique schedule, creates a pathway towards their personal, professional, and athletic goals, and leverages the latest technology for an on-the-go environment. Many of the school’s faculty members and learning coaches are former elite-level athletes who competed on the international stage and understand the challenges of balancing sports commitments with education expectations.
“At USPA, our team of learning coaches and teachers understand the demands on high-performing student-athletes,” said Pete Smith, Founder and President of USPA. “It’s an honor to partner with the team from Sports Academy. Their facilities and training programs are the industry’s best. It’s a natural fit for us, and I’m thrilled to welcome their student athletes to our school.”
USPA will offer Sports Academy’s dedicated student-athletes a rigorous, yet supportive education experience and the flexibility to train, travel, and compete around the world. All students work with an individual learning coach who helps them stay connected and on track with their schooling. Whether a student aspires to compete in the Olympics, professionally, or at the collegiate level, USPA helps them achieve their athletic goals without missing a beat in school.
To learn more about Sports Academy’s education partnership, please visit: www.sportsacademy.us/saprep. To learn more about USPA, visit www.gouspa.org.
ABOUT US PERFORMANCE ACADEMY: Founded in 2012 by athletes for athletes, US Performance Academy is the online school for elite athletes in grades 6-12 that provides the flexibility to achieve both athletic and academic success. Through a comprehensive educational support program for the whole student-athlete, USPA teachers, learning coaches, counselors, and coaches create a community where online education and performance intersect with a human connection.ABOUT SPORTS ACADEMY: Sports Academy, a premier institution in the world of human performance, fosters a high-performance culture driven by excellence, innovation, and expertise. Renowned as industry-leading experts, we empower individuals and teams to achieve extraordinary results through leading-edge protocols , state-of-the-art facilities, and world-class coaching. Our expert-driven, safe, and effective full-circle training approach caters to youth, adult, amateur, professional, tactical, and elite athletes. Collaborating with top professionals in sports medicine, rehabilitation, cognition, sports science, and research, we implement evidence-based practices and utilize best-in-class performance technology. Sports Academy’s leading-edge flagship facilities in California, and Texas are complete with full diagnostic, development, competition, and recovery environments that energize the training and competitive experiences that yield optimal results.
Enhancing College-Bound Success
US Performance Academy (USPA), is pleased to announce The PG@USPA postgraduate program. Offering a flexible online education for recent high school graduates, PG@USPA is designed to enhance elite student-athletes’ academic profiles, allow them to earn college credit without impacting NCAA eligibility, as well as improve study skills and executive functioning performance.
Elite athletes who have graduated from high school now have an additional edge to enhance their academic proficiency and profile while playing junior hockey.
“An academic option for students after high school is something we know is a great fit for our student athletes,” said Pete Smith, Founder and President of USPA. “Our school provides athletes the kind of academic flexibility that results in a distinct advantage over the competition.”
The PG@USPA program offers top-tier educators, dedicated support services for every student-athlete, and opportunities to earn college credit. From specialized support for neurodivergent students to comprehensive NCAA eligibility guidance, the PG@USPA Program ensures a well-rounded and empowering educational experience.Learn more about the PG@USPA Program at https://gouspa.org/elite/pgprogram/.
Many roads lead to college, but for US Performance Academy student athletes, the road is paved with perseverance and performance in sport and school. The road is also paved with a strong plan of study, and our USPA Student Success Coordinator and Learning Coach team advise students and families on how to choose a relevant and compelling curriculum along the way. A key decision students face in planning their high school coursework is whether or not to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This decision is easy when the student has the right motivation and information. Many students and parents believe APs are necessary for a competitive college profile and college acceptances, but USPA recommends a considered and balanced approach when selecting Advanced Placement courses. To ensure our student athletes do not stumble on the road to college and can succeed in AP courses, we require an AP application and verification process as well as recommend no more than two AP courses simultaneously or annually.
The GOOD
Taking APs can significantly enhance and deepen a student’s learning and interest in a specific subject. If a student is passionate about or has innate aptitude in math or biology or writing (for example), they should consider taking an AP in that subject area.
AP teachers are extremely passionate about and committed to their subject areas and have strong backgrounds, experience and credentials in their subjects.
AP courses are well-structured, so the syllabus is organized and consistent. Because AP content targets performing well on an end of year exam, the assignments and content are well prepared and planned. This consistency is a good fit for busy but motivated students.
APs can enhance and bolster a student’s transcript and college profile; colleges will see that the student is driven, dedicated and willing to take on academic challenge and rigor.
To excel or do well in an AP course, a student must demonstrate or develop discipline and work ethic. These skills are good preparation for college level work.
Some colleges will grant credit for good AP scores (usually for scores of 4 or 5).
The BAD
APs are more “labor intensive” and require more hours and deeper understanding of subjects and coursework. In addition to rising to the challenge of college level work, students must keep pace with the class to adequately prepare for the exam. Catching up in an AP is extremely difficult.
Only specific AP courses are worth their weight in effort. These “core AP” classes are the ones colleges prefer to see on a transcript; the others are often considered “satellite” or secondary AP courses. The core includes AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics, AP (plug in any world language), AP World History, and AP US History. The many other AP offerings, such as AP Human Geography, AP Music, AP Studio Art, AP Photography, AP Art History, just to name a few, are sometimes considered “filler APs” by selective colleges. Please note: USPA has chosen to offer AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, and AP Statistics because we believe these selective APs are excellent preparation for college bound student athletes.
AP courses do not always lead to college credit; many selective colleges do not accept AP credits; no credit is awarded and no college tuition is offset or saved.
The UGLY
AP exams are expensive ($95 per course) – and the exam can ignite undue or excessive stress for students.
Students sometimes take APs because they think they HAVE to, not because they WANT to; this pressure leads to academic resentment and frustration.
AP courses are sometimes a way for students or families to strive to compete with peers or keep up with values different from their own.
We hope that as our USPA students select their curriculum, they will consider the benefits, drawbacks and pitfalls of Advanced Placement courses. We are always available to help our student athletes and families navigate these important decisions.
Julie is the Director of School for USPA. She has 14 years of experience counseling students in college applications and course selections.
Pete Smith first conceived of US Performance Academy in response to this question from a frustrated parent: Why does the traditional academic model make you choose between achieving your athletic dreams and getting a good education?
That was in 2013, when remote learning and quality education did not coexist in most people’s minds. Smith, an elite sailor turned educator, was intrigued by the possibilities technology offered in revolutionizing education. He envisioned a remote learning model that could leverage technology to increase both flexibility and support to meet the unique needs of highly competitive athletes; a platform to accommodate a wide variety of learning styles and schedules, as well as connection within the school community. Such a school would allow elite athletes to maximize their athletic and academic potential, while fostering self-awareness, independence and self-advocacy.
That vision turned into USPA, a fully accredited, NCAA compliant online school for students in grades 6-12 and post graduate. Today, the academy serves 165 high performance athletes in a wide range of sports, like golf, tennis, sailing, soccer, hockey, paddling and, increasingly, skiing.
Post pandemic, some level of remote learning is the new norm. USPA offers not only a comprehensive curriculum and support system, but also a track record of success. Athletes from a wide range of sports have gone on to compete at the Olympic, National Team and NCAA level while also getting into colleges that match their academic and competitive dreams.
SELF-PACED AND FULLY-SUPPORTED
Allison Mollin first heard about USPA from an article in Ski Racing. She was heading into high school and wanted a school that allowed her to stay with her home ski program at Palisades Tahoe. Specifically, she wanted an option that would allow her to access prime morning training. USPA was an ideal solution. It allowed her to train and compete at the highest level, and also to complete courses at her own pace. That meant taking a couple summer courses to lighten her academic load in winter.
Even during the fall of her senior year—while taking three AP classes (USPA offers 10) at the same time as Chemistry and Precalculus, and attending early season ski camps—she had ample support and flexibility. “Every now and then you hit units that you just don’t quite understand,” says Allison. “Whenever that happened, it was a simple Pronto message to a teacher, and we set up a time to talk about it. Usually we talked about it within the hour of encountering the issue.” Compared to her peers, Allison found she devoted more energy to skiing, and less to being stressed about school deadlines. “They were far more worried, and I think it took more of a toll.”
Mollin—who foreran the Lake Louise World Cup last year, and ultimately has her sights set on competing at that level—graduated last spring. She is taking a gap year, concentrating on her ski racing on the NorAm speed circuit.
CONNECTION IS KEY
For remote learning to work, it also has to offer ample support because flexibility, while liberating, can also become overwhelming. Smith explains: “If you don’t have multiple touchpoints that are supporting students in different ways, the wheels can come off.”
USPA’s remote learning model is a far cry from the correspondence courses of yore, with mail-in assignments and minimal feedback; or the folder of worksheets that typically end up in a sorry heap on the car floor; or even the “upside-down” learning model with instructional videos and a virtual class meeting. USPA’s 70 core and elective courses are a combination of direct instruction, videos, interactive learning tools, discussion-based assessments and collaborative learning opportunities. Strategically embedded checks ensure that students are understanding material along the way. Director of School Julie Glusker calls it, “a learning system that empowers students with real-time, actionable content and data, enabling easy monitoring of progress and achievement.”
EMBRACING NEURODIVERSITY
Another challenge for every school, and particularly sports academies with limited staff, is supporting students who are “neurodivergent.” Says Smith, “Everybody learns differently whether you’re labeled neurodivergent or neurotypical.” Rather than label kids, USPA helps them develop skills and tools that allow them to work best with their learning style.
Carrie McGillicuddy is USPA’s Director of Student Development and Counseling. McGillicuddy designed a program called Guided Opportunities for Achievement and Learning (GOAL) aimed at helping an increasing population of neurodivergent students. Her “neurodiversity-affirming” approach includes the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, whereby putting accommodations in place for people who need them benefits everyone. “My approach with GOAL,” says McGillicuddy, “is let’s take what works for our neurodivergent students and offer those same options to all of our students.” GOAL offers four levels of individualized support in everything from emotional regulation skills to executive functioning, to specific content areas with learning specialists, to life skills.
“Every diagnosis has assets and liabilities,” says McGillicuddy. She explains that some things schools try to remediate—ADHD, for example—may be the very things that make an individual excel athletically. The success of GOAL led to BOOST, a student development program available to any student—enrolled in USPA or elsewhere—who is seeking additional learning support.
The concept of proactively meeting the needs of all learners permeates the USPA community, including teachers, learning coaches and parents. USPA students interact with teachers as needed, as well as learning coaches who meet with each student weekly. They can also participate in optional study sessions with peers. Parents have access to their students’ progress as well as teachers and learning coaches. “This is such a collaborative effort,” says McGillicuddy. The result is more kids learning in a way and at a pace that works for them, and fewer kids slipping through the cracks.
EDUCATION FOR LIFE
The very flexibility that facilitates impressive athletic accomplishments also naturally brings along invaluable experiential learning. Smith explains, “What most college admissions directors are really interested in is the idea that we’re building the skills that kids typically have to learn and build in their freshman year.”
One aspect I love most about US Performance Academy is how our Core Values inform our daily lives, in sport, school and social arenas, day in and day out. We are guided collectively and individually by our strong principles of Accountability, Excellence, Flexibility, and Human Connection. We are grateful for our faculty and learning coach teams; they have many opportunities to practice these meaningful tenets as we strive to build a relevant and supportive learning community.
We are excited to share some of the ways we see our Core Values in action….
Accountability
Our students, teachers, and learning coaches meet frequently each week, willing and able to take responsibility for learning, teaching, and mentoring – and even for failures. They are consistently seeking opportunities for improvement, discussing mistakes, setting goals for progress, and finding solutions for challenges.
Excellence
USPA students are fiercely committed to success in their passions and pursuits, across school and sport. You will find them standing on the podium, winning races and rounds, choosing from college acceptances, and signing professional contracts, all while excelling academically. These accomplishments require tenacity, focus, character, and equanimity. After viewing one of our teacher’s instructional videos on plagiarism and how to properly use citations, a student sent the English teacher this message: “Respecting other’s work is important, and I’m glad that we are taught to act with integrity and be honest because it is a fundamental part of living in our world and communities”. We think this 10th grader has a pretty good grasp of what excellence means!
Flexibility
Our teachers find, implement and encourage creative, innovative, spontaneous ways to teach and guide student athletes who travel globally and frequently for training and competition – Zoom meetings from airports, chair lifts or golf courses, personalized independent study projects, spontaneous instructional Pronto sessions, customized exams and assessments, and more.
Our students have full agency and freedom to do their schoolwork when, how and where they can, need and want – school goes where they go, and their achievements are theirs to lead and ours to support.
Human Connection
Several USPA students from different places across the country share a passion for reading and books. Our history teacher started a book club on Pronto, and the students ran with it – they love reading and discussing Louis L’amour, Steven King, and many other authors and books with each other – connecting over recommendations, reading, storytelling, and authors they all like!
“Good Morning, Mr. Lavery,” the students chant in chorus as I enter the classroom, elongating the phrase into a song in the way that children do. Crisp shirt, tight tie, and stiff shoes, I lay a stack of files on the oversized desk and take my place. A student calls out a question from one of the tidy, uniform rows, and I remind them of the school policy to raise their hand and wait for permission to speak. I remind another that hoodies aren’t permitted in the classroom…
This is probably a familiar scene to not a few of our readers. Traditional education has evolved with myriad policies designed to place obstacles between staff and students, in order to imbue staff with a sense of status, to enforce respect. These obstacles are small, but many: addressing staff by their last name, the unnecessarily large teacher’s desk, strict dress-codes, permission to speak… the list goes on.
Those who are unfamiliar with online education sometimes wonder how we can possibly foster a human connection with our students in a digital environment, to which I counter that in-person doesn’t necessarily result in an authentic connection. When we study education, we are taught about the obstacles described above, their purpose, psychological and behavioral effects, all designed to control in some way. We’re also taught that if we have a student in distress, we should remove these obstacles to make a real connection with them to help them through the situation, come out from behind the desk, lay down the stack of files, get down on their level. Why wait for a student to be in distress to make to try to make a genuine, human connection?
At USPA we are human, our students and parents are human, we’re all wonderfully, authentically, fallibly human. In our digital world there are no obstacles, no false status symbols and we don’t waste time on stuffy dress-codes or arbitrary rules. We make connections, build relationships, we support and we learn, together, from day one. We remove the noise and the ego and focus on what really matters: our students, their learning, their wellbeing, their individuality, and their success.
At USPA, we go by first names. To outside observers it may not seem important but to our community it is. We go by first names because we’re human.
My name’s Liam. What’s yours?
At US Performance Academy we recognize that highly competitive student-athletes bring a myriad of learning styles to the educational process. Our GOAL program was made for student athletes that learn differently. GOAL’s mission is to embrace the ever-evolving learning profiles found among middle and high school students. Whether a student has a specific learning disability, ADHD, is gifted, is twice-exceptional, or has a condition that requires an accessible educational environment, US Performance Academy is intentional in providing appropriate support to students and families.
We sat down with USPA Student Athlete Dorothy Greenshields. Dorothy is a sophomore at USPA. She ski races out of Austria, her family resides in Dover, NH.
Q: Tell us about you!
Dorothy: “I am a ski racer pursuing my dreams of competing at the highest level in Austria. I am from Dover, NH but I have dual citizenship. My father is a citizen of Great Britain. I ski race for team Ambition based out of Leogang, Austria. My team and coaches are wonderful & it’s just such a natural fit, all the while I can focus on my school work with US Performance Academy no matter where I am in the world.“
Q: Why US Performance Academy?
Sarah Greenshields, Dorothy’s mom: “We knew that Dorothy learned differently. We knew we needed a school that could accommodate her learning style (Dorothy is dylexic). The traditional ski academy in the US did not feel like an inclusive learning environment from the programs they offered academically. USPA launched their GOAL Program just before we started with the school and it’s the best decision we have made for Dorothy and her learning.“<
Dorothy: “This is the first time I feel like I fit in and can be my total self when in the classroom. I never had the confidence. The GOAL program allows me to learn as me, and I am thriving in this academic environment.”
Building a college target list as a student athlete can seem overwhelming, but with the
right approach, it can be a smooth and enjoyable process.
The first step is to consider your academic and athletic goals and your interests and values. This includes thinking
about the type of college you want to attend, the level of competition you want to play
at, your social interests, and your desired major.
Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you can start researching colleges that match your criteria. This will help you narrow down your options and find colleges that align with your priorities.
One of the best ways to build your college target list is by reaching out to coaches from
colleges that interest you. This can include sending emails, attending camps or clinics,
and visiting college campuses. This will not only give you a better understanding of the
college and its athletic program, but it will also give you the opportunity to showcase
your skills and make a positive impression on the coach. Additionally, talking to current
student athletes and alumni can provide valuable insight into the college experience,
both academically and athletically. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and gather as much
information as possible, as this will help you make informed decisions about your
college future.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a college is location. This includes
both the geographical location and the campus culture. Are you looking for an urban,
suburban, or rural atmosphere? Do you want a college with a strong sense of
community or a more independent vibe? What activities do you want to be able to
pursue where you go to college? Answering these questions will help you determine
what type of location will best meet your needs.
Another key factor to consider is the academic and career opportunities offered by the
college. This includes researching the majors and programs offered, as well as the
resources available for career development. Make sure to also consider the resources
available for student support, such as tutoring and advising, as well as the campus
facilities, such as the library and athletic facilities.
It’s also important to take a close look at the campus culture, which includes the student
body, student organizations, and events and activities. Are you looking for a college with
a strong sense of community, or a more individualistic environment? Would you like to
be involved in a variety of student organizations, or just a few select ones? By
considering these factors, you’ll be able to find a college that offers the right balance of
academics, community, and personal growth.
Finally, it’s important to consider your financial situation when choosing a college. This
includes researching scholarships, grants, and financial aid, as well as the cost of tuition and living expenses. You may also want to consider the college’s return on investment, or the long-term financial benefits of attending that college.
Choosing the right college is a complex and personal process, but taking the time to
consider your goals, interests, and priorities will help you find the best fit. Remember,
the right college should be a place where you can grow both academically and
personally, and where you feel confident and supported in your future endeavors.
College applications can be a high-pressure time for student athletes and their families,
but they can also be a time of meaningful self-reflection and growth. Throughout the
college process, it is always important for students to remember that their worth goes
far beyond grades and test scores. This is where and when whole student development
comes into play.
A well-rounded, highly engaged student is someone who has pursued opportunities
outside of the classroom to explore and develop their interests, hobbies, and character.
This can include training and competing in sports, volunteering or working in the
community, or participating in various extracurricular activities. By showing an interest in
and commitment to various extracurricular activities, students can demonstrate to
admissions committees that they are curious and engaged community members, and
their value is far more than just their grades and test scores. US Performance Academy
students are these students.
One key aspect of whole student development is character, and colleges often assess
candidates through the lens of various character traits – diligence, loyalty, respect,
motivation, self-initiative, courage, perseverance, teamwork, kindness, compassion,
resilience – character traits colleges espouse in their school cultures and student life
These character traits are evident through achievements and failure, overcoming
obstacles, facing personal challenges or overcoming difficult situations – academically,
athletically, and personally. By showcasing whole student development and examples
of character, students demonstrate to admissions committees that they have the
determination and grit to succeed in college and beyond. Furthermore, these qualities
can be further developed through experiences such as sports, where students learn to
persevere through adversity and come out stronger on the other side.
Another important aspect of whole student development is leadership, which can be
demonstrated through holding leadership positions in clubs, organizations, or sports
teams. By taking on leadership roles, students learn valuable skills such as
compromise, organization, planning, communication, delegation, and conflict resolution.
But leadership is not dependent only on a student’s role; leadership is an approach to
life and how a student shows up in the classroom, on the field, or within their family and
community – with dedication, integrity, courage, and compassion.
Ultimately, while grades and test scores are important factors in the college application
process, it’s also crucial for students to focus on whole student development. By
pursuing interests, hobbies, and experiences outside of the classroom, students can
develop their character and demonstrate qualities such as resilience and leadership.
These experiences not only make students more well-rounded and stand out in the
college application process, but also equip them with the skills they need for success in
the future. So, while it may feel like the focus should be only on academics, taking the
time to develop as a whole student athlete can help applicants better enjoy, reduce
stress, gain control, and make decisions in the college application process.
Excelling athletically and academically requires dedication, organization, and tenacity, and sport and school are both excellent environments where student athletes practice and hone these traits. Athletes frequently encounter challenges, including training, competition, logistics, weather, equipment, terrain, injury, finances, adversity, failure, loss, and (yes) even success. Athletes must learn to listen, attempt, adjust, try again, fail, practice, try again, and execute – the same approach good students employ in learning in the classroom. High performance student athletes ultimately must master learning to inquire and lead as individuals, competitors and teammates. All this development occurs in an iterative process on the field, in the gym, on the court, in a classroom, and even in a workplace. Sport and school should be interdependent and provide a strong foundation for an athlete’s wellbeing and vitality. This interdependence and our team’s ability to support student athletes across their roles are some of our greatest assets here at US Performance Academy, and US Performance Academy’s Learning Coach staff understands how student athletes learn best – through trial and error and goal setting and planning.
Beyond the joy and passion generated by its physical play, adrenaline, and entertainment aspects (the raw, pure fun factors), sport prepares athletes to navigate many different life challenges. Participation in sport, therefore, is a valuable and critical framework from which to develop lifelong learning skills. Some meaningful enigmas (and, conversely, opportunities) athletes face leading into each competitive season include goal setting, training, practice, and development. How to stay on track with everything beyond the travel, training, gear, and performance needed to succeed in sport? In some cases, this might be necessary from purely functional and logistical perspectives depending on an athlete’s age or competitive level, they must finish high school, apply to college, pursue sport at the highest level, and ultimately fund their pursuit. These experiences enable athletes to identify or spark curiosity in academic and career interests for future purposes. Many athletes choose business, communications, economics, orthopedics, sport training and management, psychology as majors that align with their athletic mindsets.
In other cases, setting goals and planning for life’s varied endeavors helps athletes feel better balanced and directed in their lives; they avoid burnout from myopic focus on or stress about competitive seasons, they subdue “being left behind” or FOMO (“Fear of missing out”), and they build a most vital identity beyond sport – student, friend, peer, activist, artist, engineer, musician, debater, performer, dancer, etc. – so many possibilities! A little planning goes a long way in helping athletes achieve balance and feel and be organized, prepared, and productive, and their ability to create a workable plan can help the entire cycle of performance. Creating a plan provides a detailed outline of activities and tasks required to accomplish a goal, breaking down the process into actionable steps based on a given timeline. No matter the end goal, a plan offers a clear roadmap for how to get there. Our USPA staff of Learning Coaches work with student athletes weekly to mentor them through keeping a healthy balance between school, sport and social.
Goal setting and planning for school and sport with USPA Learning Coaches, student athletes learn about organizing, communicating, and problem solving in ways applicable to other facets of their lives. Well-known author and motivational speaker Brian Tracy explains it as confidence-boosting: “A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.” These skills will reap rewards as they transition to life beyond school and sport and also learn critical skills for their season and future realms of education and career. USPA is the most excellent online educational platform from which to develop young student athletes of all interests and abilities.