More Than a Game: Why Parents Are the Secret Weapon Behind Scholastic Esports

By Alex Hirbe

When you think of school sports, you probably picture pep rallies, crowded bleachers, and the sound of sneakers squeaking on a gym floor. But in a growing number of schools, the action isn’t on a court. It’s in a gaming lab, where students wearing jerseys are locked in competitive Rocket League matches and strategizing in Valorant. This isn’t just gaming, it’s education, and families are noticing.

In our latest Parent Night webinar, hosted by PlayVS and the Gaming Concepts team, we explored how family support is shaping the future of scholastic esports. What we heard from educators, program leaders, and community coordinators was clear: when parents get a front-row seat to what esports in school actually looks like, they become some of its loudest champions.

From Skepticism to Celebration

Let’s be honest, “gaming” still raises eyebrows. Many parents worry about screen time or see video games as a distraction. But as panelist Jim Rand, a longtime teacher and esports coach from Connecticut, pointed out, “Gaming is no longer a distraction. It’s a way in.”

The key is intentionality. Scholastic gaming isn’t about letting students play freely. It’s structured, curriculum-based, and aligned to real learning outcomes. At schools like Wichita Public Schools, where esports participation has grown to nearly 4,000 students per semester, the shift is undeniable. Educators like Clint Dayhuff are proving that when students feel excited to come to school, everything else; grades, behavior, and confidence, follow.

Seeing Is Believing

One of the most effective ways to win family support? Invite them in.

Dayhuff recommends opening up your space, letting parents observe practices and competitions. “When they see their kids leading, communicating, and solving problems, it clicks,” he explained. “Suddenly, it’s not just gaming, it’s teamwork. It’s leadership. It’s school.”

At Maclay Middle School in Los Angeles, Felix George noticed a similar shift. “Once we started winning tournaments and celebrating our students, parents wanted to be part of the excitement,” he said. Families asked for jerseys. Teachers joined in, and the community grew.

Students Who Feel Seen

Again and again, the panelists shared something powerful: esports gives students a place to belong. It’s especially impactful for students who often feel left out, those with IEPs, those who don’t fit the mold of traditional sports, or those navigating identity and social challenges.

One story stood out. A student at Rand’s school failed academically and was removed from the team, but he was still invited to practice. That student worked hard, brought his grades up, and graduated. “He still checks in with me,” Rand said. “This program changed his trajectory.”

In Wichita, 84% of students on esports teams had never been on any team before. Now, they wear jerseys, lead events, and coach peers. “That’s not just engagement,” Dayhuff said. “That’s transformation.”

Beyond the Game: Career Skills That Matter

Esports in schools isn’t just about play, it’s preparation. Students in Gaming Concepts courses learn technical skills that translate directly to future careers. Think broadcasting, video editing, animation, and project management.

Students use tools like OBS and Canva, manage team schedules, and even create commercials and media content for their schools. “We had a Spanish teacher tell us our students outperformed the tech side of a major project,” Rand shared. “That’s because they’ve already built those skills here.”

Schools using the Gaming Concepts curriculum also offer access to real certifications in platforms like Google Cloud and Adobe Creative Suite. The result? Students who are not only confident but also qualified.

Families as Partners

In some programs, parents are not just spectators, they’re participants. Wichita has hosted tournaments where families compete alongside students. “We had parents playing Mario Kart while their kids battled in Rocket League,” Dayhuff laughed. “It created a real community.”

Even without big budgets or fancy arenas, schools can build strong family buy-in by showcasing the impact on students. When parents see their children thriving; socially, emotionally, and academically, support comes naturally.

Where Do You Start?

If you’re an educator or administrator wondering how to bring esports into your school, the message from our panelists was simple: Start small. Use what you have. Build with intention, and center students every step of the way.

You don’t need a perfect lab or a massive budget. You need passion, purpose, and people willing to believe that students deserve to see themselves in school, whether through science labs, art rooms, or gaming chairs.

Esports isn’t a distraction. It’s a bridge. When families cross it with you, the possibilities are endless.