<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (March 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (March 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A major characteristic of American schools is the high priority given to sports, clubs and activities by the community, the parents, the schools and the students themselves . Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling within the scope of the regular curriculum but under the supervision of the school . Extracurriculars at the high school age (15 - 18), this can be anything that doesn't require a high school credit or paid employment, but simply done out of pleasure or to also look good on a college transcript . Extracurricular activates for all ages can be categorized under clubs, art, culture and language, community, leadership, government, media, military, music, performing arts, religion, role play / fantasy, speech, sports, technology, and volunteer All of which take place outside of school hours . These sorts of activities are put in place as other forms of teamwork, time management, goal setting, self - discovery, building self - esteem, relationship building, finding interests, and academics . These extracurricular activities and clubs can be sponsored by fund raising, or by the donation of parents who give towards the program in order for it to keep running . Students and Parents are also obligated to spend money on whatever supplies are necessary for this activity that are not provided for the school (sporting equipment, sporting attire, costumes, food, instruments) These activities can extend to large amounts of time outside the normal school day; home - schooled students, however, are not normally allowed to participate . Student participation in sports programs, drill teams, bands, and spirit groups can amount to hours of practices and performances . Most states have organizations that develop rules for competition between groups . These organizations are usually forced to implement time limits on hours practiced as a prerequisite for participation . Many schools also have non-varsity sports teams; however, these are usually afforded fewer resources and less attention . </P> <P> Sports programs and their related games, especially football and basketball, are major events for American students and for larger schools can be a major source of funds for school districts . </P>

On a national level the american public was