The Benefits of Inclusive No-Cut Sports for Neurodivergent Students

Students who try out for school sports often face a series of stressful experiences. First, there is overcoming the self-doubt about signing up for tryouts. Then, there is the intensity of the tryouts themselves. Followed by a nerve-wracking wait for results and scanning the list to see if you made the team.

At The Howard School, we do things differently. Here, every student has the opportunity to play in our inclusive athletics program. If your child wants to participate in a sport, they will have a spot, regardless of their previous experience or skill level. Beyond just making a team, they'll have the chance to grow as individuals, both on and off the field.

Athletics for Everyone

Team sports start in middle school at The Howard School. Around 75% of our students from grades 6 to 12 participate in at least one sport each year. That level of participation allows us to offer a broad selection of sports even as a small, private school.
 
Here's what's on the menu:
1.       Fall: Soccer, cross country, bowling, and volleyball
2.       Winter: Basketball and swimming
3.       Spring: Flag football, golf, tennis, cheer, and track and field
 
Students are allowed to play one sport per season, and we make sure everyone not only makes the team but also has meaningful playing time. No one at The Howard School rides the bench all season. Playing time is based on effort and skill development during practice.
 
That can require some creative adjustments. For example, this past year, our middle school boys' basketball program had an unprecedented turnout of 32 players. That prompted us to have not just an A and B team, but a C team, something we'd never done before. While coordinating space and coaching staff to accommodate so many enthusiastic athletes was a challenge, it's a challenge we welcome wholeheartedly.

Lessons Beyond the Scoreboard

At many other schools, kids with learning differences like those we serve at The Howard School often don't get an opportunity to play a sport. By having a no-cut policy, we ensure every student who wants to have this quintessential school experience can do so.
 
But athletics is more than sport itself.
 
Our student athletes learn important lessons that will serve them well outside the gym. Athletics teaches such skills as:

• Teamwork
• Discipline
• Accountability
• Good Sportsmanship
• Time Management
• Patience
• Goal Setting
• Communication
• Handling Pressure
• Resilience

 
After graduation, our students will find themselves in situations outside their comfort zones, whether that is in college, at work or in life. Participating in sports during middle and high school gives them experience and tools for navigating tough challenges with confidence.

Coaching for Connection

Coaching at The Howard School is a little different, and that's by design. You can't effectively coach students with learning differences the same way you would approach coaching a traditional team. That's why I prioritize finding coaches who truly understand our students. While we occasionally bring in community coaches, most of our athletics staff are members of The Howard School faculty. They already know our students and are dedicated to meeting them where they are.
 
One of my favorite moments this year illustrates the impact this approach has on kids. One parent came up to me and said, "Coach Jack, I can't believe my kid is playing basketball. I didn't even know they knew what a basketball was!" For me, that moment represented what our program is all about—not just helping strong athletes succeed, but showing all of our students what they're capable of.
 
For students whose anxiety may make them nervous to play in high-pressure games, our coaches provide opportunities in less intense matchups to help them build confidence.

At the same time, athletics is a place where we can allow our students to experience an environment that is different than their time in the classroom. We expect our players to show up and work hard. Players need to earn — and keep — their spots on a varsity squad.

And while our conference games are against other schools that focus on serving students with learning differences, we also schedule non-conference opponents so the kids can see what it's like outside of our little bubble.
 

A Stronger, More Connected Community

Sports also foster community at The Howard School. With our small student body, we don't have the cliques you might find at a larger school. Everyone interacts, and being part of a team deepens those bonds.
 
Additionally, I'm proud of our partnership with the Atlanta Hawks. Each year, our varsity basketball teams get to play a game at State Farm Arena, and younger students line up to high-five the players. We bring hundreds of Howard families to cheer on the kids and enjoy an NBA game together. It's the largest off-campus community-building event we have, and it's always a highlight of the year.

A Foundation for the Future

When you enroll your child at The Howard School, they're not just joining a school; they're becoming part of a family. Former athletes often swing by my office for a visit, whether it's to share updates on their college experience or just to say hello. Those relationships remind me why I love this job.
 
Our no-cut athletics program is about much more than sports. It's about giving every student the chance to discover their potential, forge meaningful relationships, and build skills they'll carry for life.

The Howard School is a private K-12 school in Atlanta serving students with one or more of the following learning differences: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, auditory processing disorder, executive functioning challenges and attention deficit disorder.

To learn more about whether The Howard School is a good fit for your child, complete our inquiry form. Our team will reach out to connect with you and schedule a guided tour of campus.