NFHS Releases ‘Case for Middle School Involvement and Student Participation’

As a part of its ongoing work to promote students’ participation in sports and other activities before entering high school, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has produced the Case for Middle School Involvement and Student Participation, which is now available on the NFHS website. 

As a companion to the NFHS’ longstanding document, The Case for High School Activities, this new document is the latest work of the NFHS Middle School Committee, which was started in 2019 to help enlarge the vision for involving middle school/junior high school students in afterschool athletics and activities programs.

“Our committee wanted to create a document that middle school athletic administrators could use when advocating for their programs to school boards, superintendents and community members,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and middle schools. “Middle school athletics and activities provide an essential foundation for student engagement, belonging and academic success. Our goal is to continue equipping athletic directors with credible research, data and actionable resources so they can demonstrate the tangible value of participation and ensure these programs remain accessible to every student.”

The Case for Middle School Involvement and Student Participation is broken down into the following six parts: 1) Educational and Developmental Benefits of Middle School Participation; 2) Value of Middle School Activity Programs; 3) Cost-Effective Participation, Training and Support of Middle School Programs; 4) Student Well-Being and Mental Health; 5) Community Impact – Developing Better Citizens; and 6) Post-Middle School Benefits.

Among the educational benefits noted are improved academic outcomes, increased attendance, development of leadership and teamwork skills, and positive life skills acquisition.

In the Student Well-Being and Mental Health section, ‘The Case’ states that “participation in interscholastic athletics and activities at the middle school level promotes a healthy lifestyle by encouraging consistent physical activity, reinforcing positive long-term habits and supporting the development of a healthy self-image.”

This section also notes that “participation provides naturally built-in support systems for students during a critical transitional age. Coaches and activity advisors serve as trusted mentors who provide structure, encouragement and accountability for student participation.”

In the final section on Post-Middle School Benefits, the document states that “early participation acts as a direct pipeline to high school involvement, fostering a deep, lasting connection to the school community. Beyond building school spirit, these programs cultivate informed, responsible and civically engaged citizens. Ultimately, the data is undeniable: students who participate in education-based activities are significantly more likely to stay on track and graduate. Active students are engaged students and engaged students cross the graduation finish line.”

In addition to Cochran, who has been liaison of the NFHS Middle School Committee since its inception, the work of the committee has been directed by a number of state association leaders, including past chairs Rhonda Blanford-Green, former commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association; Bill Faflick, executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association; and current chair Sarah Bridenbaugh, assistant commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.  

The work of the Middle School Committee is guided by the following Vision Statement: “The NFHS is committed to providing an inclusive and positive environment for all students and to encourage participation. The NFHS believes that an understanding of the unique physical, psychological, emotional and developmental needs of all middle-level age student participants should drive all aspects of middle-level education.”

In addition to this latest resource of the Case for Middle School Involvement and Student Participation, the NFHS has many other resources for middle school participation on its middle school webpage, including newsletters that are distributed three times a year. A course on Middle School Coaching is also available on the NFHS Learning Center at www.NFHSLearn.com.   

The NFHS High School Today magazine also has published a number of articles on middle school sports and activities participation, including The Role of Middle School Athletics in Preparation for High School, Transitioning from Middle School to High School Sports and Developing an Aligned Middle School to High School Sports Program.   

Twenty-six NFHS-member state associations have middle schools in their membership, including the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association and the Ohio High School Athletic Association that sponsor state championships in several sports. Illinois has a separate organization for activities at the middle school level, the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), which also sponsors several state championships.