Parents recently attended an event to learn about the many benefits of Scholastic Esports, an increasingly popular offering at the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC). The event was part of MCCSC’s Parent University series to keep parents informed about resources, information, and student opportunities.
Eric Gilpin, MCCSC director of secondary education, said that the Scholastic Esports program was established in response to student interest and for its social-emotional benefits.
“Schools nationwide are beginning to offer Esports programs because they are proven to support students’ mental health and well-being,” said Gilpin. “Students are into Esports because they can connect through a common interest. Educators appreciate Esports programs for their social and emotional benefits. Students can develop strong friendships, experience being part of a team, and cultivate a sense of belonging.”
MCCSC students can participate in Esports as an extracurricular club, participate in Scholastic Esports academic options, or both.
Nearly 400 MCCSC students participate in Esports, and by spring 2025, Esports clubs will be available in all middle and high schools. The clubs can compete as teams through the Indiana Esports Network. Batchelor Middle School’s Varsity Esports Super Smash Bros Ultimate team recently won the 2024 Indiana Esports Network state championship.
“Through Esports, students into gaming can make friends in their own schools and build healthy relationships in a safe environment,” said Gilpin. “Esports athletes are required to maintain good academic standing and attendance. When students fall behind, we see the team come together and encourage their teammates.”
Gilpin noted that students can participate in Esports in various ways.
“If they’re not into the gaming aspect, they can participate in shoutcasting, which is similar to sports announcing, or they can get involved in the promotional and communication aspects of promoting their teams,” he said.
Common parent questions center on safety. At MCCSC, students only play Esports with other students at their school, or students at other schools when they are competing. MCCSC uses Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings to determine age-appropriate games to be offered, and parental permission is required for each game students play. Additionally, all Esports activities are supervised.
While many school districts nationwide offer Esports as an extracurricular club, MCCSC is on the forefront among schools that also offer Scholastic Esports aligned with academic pathways. Esports is integrated into computer science and other classes at MCCSC, allowing students to gain career and technical skills through project-based learning.
Bloomington High School North and South both offer a Scholastic Esports Computer Science Career Pathway that is aligned with Indiana Computer Science Next Level Programs of Study. The pathway allows students to take dual credit computer science classes through Ivy Tech Community College that are customized to incorporate Esports concepts.
“In computer science Esports classes, instead of learning to use code to create a calculator, students’ first coding projects would be to learn how to code simple games like Atari’s Pong or a dice rolling simulator,” said computer science teacher Seth Sturgeon.
Batchelor Middle School offers an Esports Production class, and Jackson Creek and Tri-North Middle Schools offer Esports elective classes.
Students and parents who are interested in Esports should contact their school to learn more about the school’s Esports options. The Parent University Esports presentation, information, and flyers are posted on the Parent University website.
