Research-aligned Approach Spans AP, Dual Enrollment, STEM/Robotics, Arts, eSports, and Athletics
Hemlock Public School District (HPSD) announced an expanded slate of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students—linking Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment/early middle college, STEM/robotics, arts, esports, and athletics to measurable gains in engagement, graduation, and postsecondary success.
“Opportunities are oxygen,” said Board President Matt Wesener. “From AP and dual enrollment to robotics, arts, esports, and athletics, we’re opening more doors so every Huskie can find their lane, build confidence, and chart a future. This is small-town care with big-league opportunities.”
Why it matters: What the research says
Extracurricular participation = engagement & achievement. Decades of studies show students involved in school activities report higher motivation, better grades, stronger attachment to school, and higher graduation odds. (PMC)
AP & Dual Enrollment = college momentum. Multiple analyses associate AP participation/performance and dual enrollment with stronger college entry, persistence, and completion; new CCRC findings link combined accelerated coursework with improved college and earnings outcomes. (College Board Research)
STEM/Robotics & PBL = hands-on gains. Rigorous evaluations of robotics and project-based learning show increased STEM interest, skills, and test performance. (FIRST)
Arts education = cognitive and SEL lift. National syntheses connect sustained arts participation with improved literacy, critical thinking, and social-emotional outcomes. (Arts Education Partnership)
Athletics = GPA, attendance, and persistence. Participation correlates with higher GPAs, higher graduation rates, and lower dropout—amid a national resurgence in student involvement. (NFHS)
Esports = engagement, teamwork, and career skills. Emerging research highlights gains in motivation, collaboration, and 21st-century competencies when esports programs are intentionally designed. (Biomedres)
“Our goal is simple: pair rigor with relevance and joy,” said Superintendent Don Killingbeck. “Whether a student is earning college credit, building a robot, composing a score, coding for an esports match, or competing on the field, the through-line is belonging and skill-building. That’s how we #PullTheSled and how we #Launch every learner.”
What families can expect in 2025–26
More on-ramps to college credit: Expanded AP sections where feasible and continued dual-enrollment pathways aligned to student interest and workforce demand. (College Board Research)
STEM & robotics depth: Hands-on challenges, competitions, and community mentors that connect classroom learning to real-world problem-solving. (FIRST)
Arts that stick: Sequential arts offerings and integrated projects to strengthen literacy, creativity, and confidence.
Intentional esports: A coached, standards-aligned program emphasizing teamwork, digital citizenship, wellness, and pathways to tech careers. (Biomedres)
Athletics for all: Broad participation, multi-sport encouragement, and academic supports that keep students eligible, healthy, and connected. (NFHS)
HPSD will share schedules, sign-ups, and parent guides through building newsletters and district channels in the weeks ahead.