A Study of Academically Talented Students’ Participation in Extracurricular Activities

Abstract

In this study, we surveyed the participation rates of academically talented students across 9 areas: dance, solo instrument, choral music, band, athletics, student government, academic clubs, ethnic/cultural clubs, and an “other activities” category. Participants consisted of 2 independent cohorts (Cohort 1, N = 842; Cohort 2, N = 290) attending a summer program. Results indicated that athletics was the activity in which males and females reported greatest participation across cohorts. Significant differences in rates were found for participation in athletics, choral music, and dance in the direction of gender-stereotypical expectations. Differences were also found among ethnic groups and across grade levels in certain activities. We concluded that the results contradict the nonathletic stereotype sometimes associated with students who are academically talented.