1. Session V
Sport Specialization and
Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance
Kim Chorosiewski, M.Ed., CSCS, CMAA
Educational Consultant – McMillan, Howland & Spence
kim@mcmillaneducation.com

2. Why should we be
concerned?

3. 10,000 hours of focused practice
in your chosen field
. . .this notion seemingly become more apparent
than on the fields of youth
sports
• Dramatic rise over the past 15 years
or so in “hyperspecialization”
(Boston Globe – October 24, 2014)
“10,000-Hour Rule”

4. Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance
Making an investment is an
effort to beat the odds of
securing a college or
professional opportunity.
Much like trying to win the
lottery after spending 10%
of the yearly family income
(Dorsch Study).

6. Parents are Investing in
Boarding School
Expected
Outcomes

7. Where do we begin?

8. Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance
What are you seeing at your
school?

9. Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance
What are your coaches saying?

10. Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance
Are you impacted directly or
indirectly?
How?

11. Boarding School and Student Perspectives:
• Developmental – emotional and behavioral
• Physical
• Social
• Academic
What else?
Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance

12. How do you help student/school balance. . .
• Academics?
• School sports/arts/extracurricular
requirements?
• Weekend responsibilities?
• Weekend activities?
Smaller schools can feel a greater impact
(+/-)
Let’s Talk About

13. Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance
Balancing the benefits and costs
for. . .
• School
• Student
• Family

14. SCHOOL
What is your mission?
How do you operationalize your mission?
Is specialization (seemingly) in conflict with
mission?
Review What You Do

15. Boarding Schools

16. SCHOOL
• Academic
• Athletic
• Admission
What are the perceived
benefits?

17. SCHOOL
• Student may attract other students to the
school
• Family becomes strong, positive
constituents (could also be negative)
• Individual or team honors due to student
level (greater team success)
Possible Benefits

18. Life of the student
Cost v. Benefit

19. A Day In the Life
of the Student
7:30 Breakfast
8:00 All-School Meeting
8:15-9:00 English
9:00-9:45 Math
9:45-10:05 Break
10:05-10:50 Science
10:50-11:35 Study Hall/
Study Skills
11:35-12:35 Lunch & Clubs
12:35-1:10 Study Skills
1:10-1:55 Foreign Language
1:55-2:40 History
2:40-3:15 Extra Help
3:30-5:15 Sports
5:15-6:00 Extra Help II
6:00-6:45 Sit-Down Dinner
6:45-7:15 Clubs
7:30-9:45 Study Hall
9:45-10:25 Break
10:30 Dorm Check in
11:00 Lights Out (depends on
age)
STRUCTURE! SUPERVISION!

20. STUDENT
School life with the ADDITION of outside
sports (specialization)
– Missing important academic opportunities –
extra help, study groups, special review
sessions, field trips (impacts college planning)
– Socialization- weekend trips, free time,
weekend activities
– Exposure to injuries/illness
Possible Costs

21. STUDENT
• Additional training and coaching
• Additional sport interaction with others
• Exposure opportunities for college coaches
Possible Benefits

22. Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance

23. 1. Establish a clear understanding of what
the school is about (Mission) and the
expectations at the start of the
relationship.
• Families who agree to send their child –
this starts with school visit, admissions,
coach contacts, culture
• Student – rules, responsibilities,
expectations as a resident
• Faculty and Coaches
How Can We Facilitate Balance

24. 2. Consider situations that might occur and
plan ahead.
• Academic changes (drop in grades, missing
assignments)
• Missed class time
• Responsibilities not being met (academic, school
athletic team, res. life/dorm)
• Injuries/illness
What is the intervention strategy?
How Can We Facilitate Balance

25. This is where the school serves to advocate
on behalf of the child TO the parents.
What are the options?
When does this happen?
Sport Specialization and Independent School Life:
Managing the Delicate Balance

26. Other Scenarios?
What other scenarios or concerns
are present in small boarding
schools?

27. When You Should Specialize
Sports that challenge balance in unique
ways and require complex timing—
• gymnastics
• figure skating
• diving
• Skiing
Expensive and demanding sports for both
parents and athletes

28. Questions?
Sport Specialization and Independent School
Life: Managing the Delicate Balance
Kim Chorosiewski, M.Ed., CSCS, CMAA
Educational Consultant – McMillan, Howland & Spence
kim@mcmillaneducation.com
508-380-1928

29. Thank You!