Holston Academy's Personalized Instruction Reduces
Burnout
LANCASTER, Calif., May 22, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Student athletes across America are experiencing
burnout at alarming rates. Many undergo rigorous athletic training
along with heavy school workloads, leaving little to no time for
social activities, down-time and most importantly, sleep. The
overworked student athlete culture was once revered and jam-packed
schedules and stress were like badges of honor. But studies have
shown an increase in depression, anxiety and suicidal attempts
amongst teen athletes. They face unique pressures that impact their
ability to thrive in traditional school environments while actively
pursuing their passion for sports.
A 2023 survey revealed that approximately 91 percent of high
school athletes experienced some level of stress due to their
sport, with 58 percent reporting a moderate to an extreme amount of
stress1. Student athletes are suffering, and school
leaders are failing to examine the relationship between student
exhaustion and its effects on mental health.
Not only are high school mental health resources limited, for
athletes' mental health carries a stigma of weakness. "Student
athletes are meant to be pillars of strength within their schools
and communities. Athletes are not usually encouraged to speak out
about how taxing school can be on top of their daily athletic
passions," says Paul Niemand,
previous student athlete, veteran educator and academic coach at
Holston Academy, an accredited online school for 6-12th grade.
The average athlete begins their day between 5:30 - 6 a.m. and typically ends it after
11 p.m. Exhausting right? "Our
solution for athlete burnout is to identify the needs of the
student athlete and their family, and create a personalized,
flexible education plan so the student can pursue their athletic
passion and their educational goals," says Niemand. "Our
athletes don't have the bandwidth to perform their best in
traditional school. Personalized instruction with a flexible
schedule is a must."
Online schools can be a great option for student athletes
struggling with the stress of a full plate. They are able to
provide more flexibility and work around training schedules. In
addition to flexibility, students at an online school like Holston
Academy are supported by a team of academic advisors who provide
socio-emotional support and life skills along with academic lessons
to develop critical thinking.
Holston Academy teaches students how to advocate for their needs
whether it's related to mental health or everyday challenges. The
school strives to create a space that is welcoming and empathetic
to the individual needs of each student.
Learn more about Holston Academy https://holstonacademy.org
About Holston Academy
Holston Academy is a nonprofit,
grades 6-12 Stanza Education Corporation School, accredited by WASC
and Cognia. As part of a network of personalized, small learning
communities, our mission is to provide an educational experience
that equips our students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities
necessary to excel in an ever-changing world. We see ourselves not
only as an online school, but as a community dedicated to nurturing
independent thinking, fostering a lifelong love for learning, and
shaping responsible global citizens.
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SOURCE Holston Academy