The Value of Extracurricular Activities for Teens

The teenage years are filled with opportunities to explore, grow, and discover who you want to become. A student who struggles academically might discover they’re a natural leader on the debate team. Another might find their artistic voice through theater or develop resilience through sports. These experiences matter more than many people realize. 

A 2023 study of families across the United States found that when students have access to extracurricular activities, they experience better mental health outcomes and lower rates of anxiety and depression. These benefits strengthen when students participate together, as research reveals that teens who share activities are almost two to three times more likely to form new friendships with one another than with someone who does not participate in the same activity. 

Yet for too many students, transportation barriers often determine who can participate and who cannot.

The Developmental Benefits of Extracurricular Participation

Developing a sense of personal identity is a crucial part of adolescence, and being involved in extracurricular activities can allow teenagers to “try on” different roles and help them figure out what their individual interests and talents are. 

Extracurricular activities of all kinds — including academic clubs, sports, community service, music and performing arts, tutoring, and technology and media arts — can also help teens channel their energy and curiosity in a positive way. Keeping teens engaged in focused, structured activities after the school day ends means they are less likely to get involved in high-stakes, risky behavior that can have lifelong consequences, such as drug and alcohol use.

Other numerous benefits of extracurricular activities for teens include:

• Increased self-esteem and resilience

• Improved academic engagement and performance

• Stronger community and peer connections

• Better self-discipline and time management skills

• Appreciation for collaboration and teamwork

• Understanding of personal accountability and responsibility

• Opportunity to learn and use leadership skills

• Exploration of interests and potential career pathways

• Development of college application portfolio and demonstrated commitment

Transportation Barriers Limit Access to Opportunity

Though gaining independence by getting a driver’s license is a critical rite of passage for adolescents, transportation for extracurricular activities remains a persistent challenge. Census Bureau analysis reveals that income level significantly influences children’s involvement in extracurricular activities, with participation gaps widening between students from different economic backgrounds.

This is especially true for students from lower-income families or youth experiencing homelessness or living in foster care, who may not have access to reliable transportation. This reality means that many teenagers who want to participate in extracurricular activities may be limited in their ability to do so — not by lack of interest or aptitude, but by logistics.

Removing Transportation Barriers to Opportunity

When transportation becomes a barrier, students miss out on the very experiences that research shows are most beneficial for their development. A student in foster care shouldn’t have to choose between staying in their drama club and moving to a safer home. A debate team member shouldn’t miss the state tournament because the venue changed at the last minute.

With 91% of districts reporting transportation limitations due to the ongoing bus driver shortage, schools need solutions that can adapt to the unique demands of extracurricular transportation. While traditional school buses serve many students well, they often lack the flexibility needed for after-school programming — especially when activities involve off-campus venues, evening events, or students with changing living situations.

How We Support Extracurricular Access

• Highly vetted HopSkipDrive CareDrivers provide reliable transportation to evening rehearsals, weekend tournaments, and off-campus events

• Our RideIQ^® ride management platform makes handling complex scheduling changes easy when activities run late or venues change

• Our Safe Ride Technology^™ enables real-time tracking of rides that extend beyond traditional school hours

• Our six-hour turnaround time for ride scheduling accommodates last-minute transportation needs, making next-day rides possible

Creating Opportunities for All Students

At Tolleson Union High School District, administrators have seen firsthand how reliable transportation transforms student access to extracurricular opportunities. As Dr. Rosalva Lagunas, Director of Grants and Federal Programs, explains: 

“This partnership with HopSkipDrive has really increased our flexibility with our homelessness students and foster care students because they have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. This is really beneficial for students because one of the important things about staying in school and graduating is building those relationships with their community, their school, other students, as well as staff members.”

The impact extends beyond individual students to families who can better balance work and their children's opportunities. “HopSkipDrive allows me to work without interruption during the day and gives my daughter an opportunity pursue her extracurricular activities, which might not have been possible without the service,” says one parent who relies on HopSkipDrive to help get her daughter where she needs to go.

HopSkipDrive recognizes and supports the individual needs of every student’s journey — creating opportunities that allow a student’s passion for debate, drama, or soccer to flourish regardless of transportation challenges.