5 Academic Goal Examples for Student-Athletes

IMG Academy Aug 18, 2025

Student-athletes at IMG Academy pursue ambitious academic goals that prepare them for collegiate success and lifelong growth. These goals go beyond getting good grades and test scores (though those are important!) and include life skills like time management, fostering social relationships, developing interests and critical thinking inside and outside of the classroom and learning confidence and leadership skills.

“We tell our student-athletes to be well rounded, multi-dimensional,” says IMG Academy Head of School Dan McKee. “Yes, train hard and focus on your sport, but student-athletes should cultivate interests outside of your sport.

“We tell our student-athletes that turning in your work and studying for tests can help you achieve, but your achievements will be deeper and greater if you take interest, if you become curious, if you read and investigate. The greatest academic goal is not achieved by getting the high grade but by becoming interested.”

At IMG Academy, our student athletes don’t just chase championships, they chase excellence in every exam and assignment, too. By setting smart academic goals, they stay focused, reduce stress, and consistently raise the bar.

What are academic goals?

While achieving your goal of becoming a college athlete requires high performance in your sport, becoming a college athlete also requires being able to get into the college of your choice and perform well in the classroom. Much like athletes set goals for their sport, student-athletes should be setting goals for academics – grades, test scores, class behavior and overall learning.

Why are academic goals important for student-athletes?

While performing well in your sport may be your top goal, a good education and critical thinking skills can help you achieve your dreams for years to come. Good grades and academic habits also make you more recruitable and give you more options for what colleges you can get into and succeed at outside of your sport.

A focus on academics also opens up opportunities after you’re doing competing in your sport.

5 Proven Examples of Academic Goals

Here are five academic goals that every high-performing student-athlete should look to achieve.

1. Develop Critical Thinking Beyond the Classroom

Academic success isn’t just about achievement in the classroom. It’s about fostering genuine curiosity, a trait that serves student-athletes far beyond their athletic careers.

To do this, educational experts suggest actively exploring interests outside your sport: reading critically, asking thoughtful questions, and engage in projects that challenge your thinking.

IMG Academy students are encouraged to investigate all subjects they’re interested in, from environmental science to entrepreneurship to literature. Each year, IMG Academy students participate in Intersession, workshops that to develop curiosity, communication skills, critical thinking and personal growth using real-life examples outside of the regular curriculum.

“A powerful academic goal for student-athletes is mastering the ability to think critically, communicate with purpose, and engage confidently across diverse perspectives,” said CaLeathiea Cornelius, assistant head of school at IMG Academy.

“Academic success isn’t defined by GPA alone. It’s about becoming a self-directed learner and a thoughtful, responsible leader who shows up with intelligence, integrity, and impact in every space they enter.”

Students at IMG Academy are encourage to join school clubs to foster interests outside of school, whether it’s through cooking club, the student newspaper, entrepreneurship or more. Whether you’re are at IMG Academy or another school, participating in clubs and extracurricular activities are a great way to apply what you’re learning in the classroom and foster social relationships and interests outside of it.

2. Master Time Management and Prioritization

With demanding training schedules and intensive travel for competitions, student-athletes must develop time management skills to balance academics with athletics on par with college students.

Set a goal to learn how to prioritize assignments, plan for test prep, and schedule study time.

These habits don’t just ensure academic success; they build mental discipline and accountability that are essential for collegiate and professional life.

“Everything we do here mirrors what we would be doing in college,” said Blake Fox, 2024 IMG Academy alumni. “Because I’ve had this schedule for four years, it’s definitely prepared me to manage that on my own.”

See more of Blake’s story here:

For more on the academics offered at IMG Academy Boarding School, click here.

3. Excel in a College-Preparatory Curriculum

A cornerstone goal for student-athletes looking to compete in college should be college readiness academically. Students should enroll in rigorous programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses, designed to challenge and prepare them for the next level.

Success here means more than passing grades. You should aim to:

Maintain strong GPAs
Score competitively on the SAT/ACT
Develop analytical and writing skills
Engage with teachers and college counselors

This commitment will help you gain admission to top-tier universities, often with athletic scholarships. But just as importantly, you can arrive on campus equipped to thrive academically from Day One.

4. Develop Leadership, Empathy and Confidence

Student-athletes need to lead both on the court and off the field in the classroom. Academic leadership takes many forms:

Organizing study groups
Mentoring younger teammates
Assisting peers with tough coursework
Participating in academic clubs or initiatives

Collaboration reinforces learning and builds soft skills like communication and empathy. These experiences will help shape you into a leader that elevates others, in sports, academics, and life.

Learn how to develop leadership and confidence anywhere in the world with IMG Academy Plus.

5. Embrace The Lessons of Sports as Education

Perhaps the most profound academic goal of all is the commitment to lifelong learning academic and life skills. True scholastic achievement isn’t measured by a report card. It’s reflected in the desire to learn for its own sake and the achievement it sets student-athletes up for in their careers and adult lives.

At IMG Academy, we believe sports are a vehicle to learn life lessons.

“We are on a mission to name and define some of life’s most important skills, create curriculum, and reinforce learning through direct application on the field of play,” IMG Academy CEO Brent Richard wrote in 2024. “We are on a path to teach and measure life skills the same way we do for core academic programming.”

Academic excellence is not a side note, it’s a vital component of every student-athlete’s journey. Whether it’s mastering time management, leading peers, or cultivating curiosity, your academic goals represent a foundation for success both in sports and in life. By setting clear, measurable academic goals, you’ll create the same roadmap to success that drives our top performers, on and off the field.

Ready to Elevate Your Game On the Field, In the Classroom, and Beyond?

Join IMG Academy’s community of driven learners and champions today. Apply now to experience our collaborative curriculum, expert support network, and holistic development that fuels success in academics, athletics, and character.

FAQs: Academic Expectations at IMG Academy

What GPA do IMG Academy student-athletes aim for?

Most IMG Academy student-athletes aim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher, depending on their collegiate goals. Strong academic performance is crucial for NCAA eligibility and scholarship opportunities.