Extracurricular Opportunities Available to Students Attending Schools Located in Poverty Areas

Abstract

Public high school principals (n = 130) participated in a study comparing extracurricular activities available at high schools located in poverty areas with extracurricular activities available at high schools not located in poverty areas. Results indicated that high schools in poverty areas are, in general, characterized by fewer extracurricular opportunities. In other words, it was found that the number of extracurricular opportunities available to students was negatively correlated with both the percentage of students receiving free school lunches and the poverty rate of the surrounding area.