As Spokane Public Schools’ Class of 2025 crossed the graduation stage this year, many wore colorful cords symbolizing their participation in one of the district’s 1,024 extracurricular activities. New data shows a steady increase in student engagement, with nearly 65% involved in sports, clubs, or arts this year—up from just 29% in 2022-23.
Rebuilding Community After COVID
District staff say the push for more extracurriculars aims to rebuild school connections after pandemic closures disrupted social ties. Officials hope these activities will improve attendance, mental health, and reduce screen time.
For Nermin Omar, Rogers High School’s senior class president, clubs like Amnesty International and the multicultural club made school feel like a “second home.” An immigrant from Syria, Omar cherished the chance to share her Kurdish heritage with peers. “I need to show this to the school; we can’t be known as just one simple country,” she said.
Sports and Belonging
Sports also played a major role. This year, 127 seniors played volleyball, 100 joined cross country, and 300 participated in basketball or track. Rogers High’s Daeante Bedford, who used sports to stay academically motivated, said athletics taught him patience: “I used to have a short fuse, but I learned to help people out.”
Challenges Remain
Not all students found their place in traditional activities. Hailey Bjornstad and Caitlynn Forech, graduates of alternative school On Track Academy, said they felt unwelcome at their previous schools. “I wasn’t interested in anything; I skipped a lot,” Forech admitted. After transferring to On Track’s project-based program, both discovered passions—like teaching and stained glass—that renewed their engagement.
Meanwhile, some, like Rogers graduates Jasmine Contreras, Sarah Dahl, and Dakota Nipp, prioritized academics over extracurriculars. “Since COVID, a lot of us gave up on socializing,” Contreras said. Though they don’t regret skipping clubs, Contreras—now headed to community college—might explore photography groups next.
Looking Ahead
The district aims for 78% student involvement by 2027. For Omar, the impact is clear: “You can’t just go to school for education. It’s about belonging.”
