ESPN'S BILLIE JEAN KING REGIONAL HONOREE
We’re proud to celebrate Sydney’s accomplishment and honored to be part of her story. Click the button below to read more about her outstanding work in sports philanthropy at just 16 years old.
OVERVIEW
Athletes for Hope’s High School Leadership Academy (HSLA) is a community of student-athletes in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles who are passionate about the intersection of sports and giving back to the community.
At HSLA, we’re looking for the next generation of changemakers. Our semester-long program empowers high school athletes to explore sports philanthropy, discover causes they care about, and take the lead in making a difference. Through teamwork and service, HSLA helps student-athletes grow into lifelong leaders, volunteers, and advocates.
HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Are you a high school athlete who is passionate about sports and making an impact in your community?
Athletes for Hope’s High School Leadership Academy (HSLA) is designed for you! We are a community of high school athletes who gather virtually once a month during the Spring semester to learn practical tools, hear inspiring stories from professional athletes, and meet other likeminded high school athletes.
Through participation in the High School Leadership Academy you will be equipped to have a deeper understanding of sports philanthropy, to discover the cause(s) that are most meaningful to you, and to begin leading the charge in making a difference in your communities!
Interested in joining the 2026 High School Leadership Academy—or want to explore ways to get involved? We’d love to hear from you.
WHY CHOOSE HSLA?
After only two years of service, High School Leadership Academy is a growing success!
Here’s the stats to prove it.
TESTIMONIALS
JORDAN
My HSLA experience has been amazing. I have met important and impactful leaders and athletes. I even got the chance to ask them questions and get meaningful insight on what it takes to be a strong leader. I am surrounded by other like-minded teens with similar goals and this puts me in an environment that I am proud to be in
QUADE
The AFH High School Leadership Academy has given me the opportunity to not only get to know other high school athletes like me, who are interested in giving back to the community, but this program has also incentivized me to begin my own philanthropy journey by using the lessons and resources that have been taught. I have truly felt like this program has led me to step out of my comfort zone and explore ways that I can contribute to the world.
ELLA
My experience with Athletes for Hope has been very positive, I have gained incredibly valuable insights shared from athletes that I plan on implementing into my own life. Additionally, I enjoyed having the opportunity to collaborate with fellow hardworking and motivated peers who all have high achieving goals. Overall, this program strengthened the confidence of my leadership and motivated me to find further ways to engage and change my community. I hope it continues to be an inspiring experience for high school students.
MADYLYN
Athletes for Hope combined the best parts of me: my sport and my acts of service. It is inspiring to be engaging with other like minded athletes.
STANLEY
This was such a wonderful opportunity, and I am so glad to be a part of such a tight knit group of student athletes. Each and every speaker gave me so much insight and knowledge into how I can become a better athlete and person, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this whole experience. This is such an impactful program that deserves to reach so many more people!
Who’s Leading the Way?
At HSLA, we’re looking for the next generation of changemakers.
Help us recognize the best in the game.
MEET OUR ALUMNI
GET INVOLVED. BE INSPIRED.
If you’re a high school athlete ready to grow on and off the field, the Athletes for Hope High School Leadership Academy is for you!
Fill out the AFH High School Interest Form below for more info.