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A student pauses at a wall of posters for school clubs and activities. While opportunities appear plentiful, costs and unequal access keep many Carlmont students from participating, which can negatively affect engagement. “Research shows that the more students engage in extracurricular activities in high school and college, the better they perform and the stronger their sense of belonging. Students who can’t participate often feel less connected to their school or campus, which puts them at a disadvantage,” said Lindsay Pérez Huber, equity, education and social justice professor at California State University Long Beach.

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Hidden costs of school spirit: how expenses limit equity in extracurriculars

By Rachel Hong, Carlmont High School

From the colorful flyers lining Carlmont’s hallways to the specialized programs beyond campus, extracurriculars promise passion, growth, and belonging. But for many students, those opportunities come with a price tag that puts them just out of reach. Sports team fees, arts program expenses, and Advanced Placement (AP) exam costs make activities that are advertised as open to all feel far less accessible. These opportunities often shape students’ identities, from the thrill of athletics to the creativity of the arts, yet behind the laughter on the field and the music in the practice rooms lies a quieter reality: some students simply cannot take part. The result is a divide: while many at Carlmont can stack their resumes with multiple activities for college, others are left with fewer options....