Jacob Ribeiro is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Preparatory Academy for AZPreps365.com

High school Sports require a lot of sacrifice, as most student-athletes' time is spent practicing on the field before or after school, in the gym on their own time, or at games and tournaments. 

Arizona College Prep is known for its academics, being a college preparatory public school. With most students having a rigorous class schedule filled with AP and Dual enrollment courses, it can be hard to manage school while also playing varsity sports.

“I think the biggest thing is having a schedule and not procrastinating what needs to be done, whether that’s homework, throwing, lifting, etc.,” said ACP pitcher Grant McInturf.

ACP has a 98% graduation rate as well as an 81–90% student proficiency in math and reading, alongside an 84% AP exam pass rate and average SAT scores of 1370.

ACP’s high standards can make it difficult for student athletes to balance their social life, school, and sports all at the same time.

“It’s definitely a challenge for them because most of them are taking AP rigorous classes, but we as coaches always emphasize that it’s student first, it’s not athlete student, it’s student athlete,” said coach Kobe Wixon.

ACP tries to be flexible and make time for their student athletes to get their work done in the classroom before getting on the baseball field.

“ACP and the Chandler district have an advisory period each and every day where it’s pretty much 30-40 minutes of homeroom, which is nice for the athletes,” Wixon said.

With traveling sometimes cutting school days in half and students missing classes to play in games and tournaments, the students must be proactive with their time in and out of school. 

ACP baseball coaches are very understanding and aware that school comes first, as they preach the value of communication in balancing everything together.

“If you have to miss a practice cause you gotta go make up a test, just communicate, let us know ahead of time, and things will work out”, said coach Kobe Wixon.

The tough class schedule is intended to improve their work ethic in the classroom and on the field. 

Pollak said, “I think because of the expectations in the classroom of high standards and work ethic and time management and all that stuff,” coach Andrew Pollak said. It just becomes a second nature when they get out on the field cause those are the qualities we’re looking for. We want players who work hard and can handle the stress, business, and high standards in the classroom.”