At my high school, there were definite groups, like the athletes, and the top students, and skaters, stoners, band kids, choir kids, etc., but there was a huge

At my high school, there were definite groups, like the athletes, and the top students, and skaters, stoners, band kids, choir kids, etc., but there was a huge amount of overlap between them. You could find someone with any combination. My AP government class was like a cross-section of the entire school, with someone from every group, except all of us were serious about education. The varsity cross country team had an average GPA of 3.8. Some might think it would be grade-inflation, but several people went to private schools (they can participate in public school sports, because their school doesn't have a team), others took dual-credit classes at the community college. Running helped me focus, relieved stress, and gave me energy to do my homework. My grades always slipped in mid November, the only time I wasn't running. ASB, our student government, was very diverse also. We rarely put on pep-rallies. Instead, each season we held an assembly that honored every team and club's accomplishments. The point is, in my experience, the people that only participated in sports were likely to only see sports as valuable. The people that only participated in extra academics were likely to only see academics as valuable. Someone that just attended school, without doing anything else, probably wasn't doing well in school. But, someone that participated in sports and choir saw both of those as valuable, but saw academic achievement and the competitive welding team as valuable also, because they had a different perspective. It might only be the way my high school worked, but the people that participated in several different things, no matter what they were, got along better and appreciated other people's achievements much more than those who didn't participate in extra-curricular activities. I think that everyone should try a sport, try music, try drama, compete in poetry reading, or take an AP class, etc. I know my parents required us children to always do something extra. One sister is in choir, band, and drama. One is in cross country and reads a lot. Another sister plays volleyball. You won't be good at everything, but you will probably find something you are good at, and have a greater appreciation for what others do. It's important that these all take place in schools, and are well-funded, because schools are a place where a whole community comes together, and everyone can participate, no matter their socio-economic background. Sports are valuable, but most people can't afford to do them outside of school.