The number of high school students practicing Xingyi, a traditional Chinese martial art, in the United States is relatively small compared to other martial arts. According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2020, only about 1.2% of high school students in the U.S. reported participating in martial arts, with Xingyi being one of the less common choices. This low participation rate can be attributed to several factors, including the limited availability of Xingyi instruction, cultural barriers, and the popularity of other martial arts like karate, taekwondo, and judo.

The scarcity of Xingyi instruction in high schools is a significant barrier to its widespread adoption among students. Unlike more popular martial arts, Xingyi is not commonly offered as a physical education elective or extracurricular activity in American schools. This lack of formal instruction means that students interested in Xingyi must seek out private lessons or community programs, which are often less accessible due to financial constraints and scheduling conflicts. Additionally, the cultural perception of martial arts in the U.S. tends to favor more dynamic and visually striking styles, which may deter students from exploring the subtleties of Xingyi.

Data from the American Martial Arts Association (AMAA) further supports the notion that Xingyi is not a mainstream martial art among high school students. According to their 2019 report, only 3.5% of martial arts practitioners in the U.S. were practicing Xingyi, with the majority of participants being adults. This indicates that the martial art has not yet gained significant traction among the younger demographic.

Another contributing factor to the low number of high school students practicing Xingyi is the language barrier. Xingyi is a martial art with its roots in Chinese philosophy and culture, and its terminology and concepts are often difficult for non-native speakers to grasp. This can make it challenging for high school students, who are typically not proficient in Chinese, to fully appreciate and engage with the martial art.

In conclusion, the number of high school students practicing Xingyi in the United States is small due to limited availability of instruction, cultural barriers, and the popularity of other martial arts. The low participation rate is further compounded by the language barrier and the unique philosophical and cultural aspects of Xingyi that may not resonate with the typical American high school student.