Academic Eligibility

PIAA / EPASD Academic Eligibility Standards

To be eligible for interscholastic athletic competition and activity participation, a student must pursue a curriculum defined and approved by the Principal as a full-time curriculum. The principal or athletic director of each school shall certify the eligibility of all interscholastic participants in accordance with the participation requirements stated in the PIAA rules and their school's policies. This includes homeschooled, charter or cyber charter schooled, and dual enrolled students.

Weekly Reports

Student eligibility shall be cumulative from the beginning of a grading period, shall be reported on a weekly basis by the athletic director, and shall be filed in the athletic office. The eligibility status of a student will be communicated to the head coach/advisor of that student’s current sport/activity by a phone conversation or an e-mail from the athletic director, and to the student through an individualized/private meeting with the head coach/advisor.
If a student is failing two (2) or more classes on a weekly report, he/she will be declared ineligible for competition/performance from the Sunday immediately following the report of failure through the next Saturday (or five (5) school days).
During the FIRST term of ineligibility, coaches/advisors have the discretion, with consultation of parents/guardians, as to whether ineligible students may practice. Students during this initial term of ineligibility may not be dismissed early from school to attend any games/meets/matches/scrimmages/performances, may not participate in games/meets/matches/performances, and cannot be dressed for competition/performance. Scrimmages are viewed as practice opportunities; as such, an ineligible student may participate in scrimmages during this initial term of ineligibility so long as he/she is not dismissed early from school.
The SECOND term a student is declared ineligible during the same season; the student will not be permitted to practice, scrimmage, compete/perform, dress for competition/performance, and/or travel with the team/group. During this term, the student will be required to explain his/her plan for academic improvement when discussing his/her eligibility status with the athletic director or building principal (e.g., peer tutor, teacher support).
For the THIRD and all subsequent term(s) a student is declared ineligible during the same season; the student will not be permitted to practice, scrimmage, compete/perform, dress for competition/performance, and/or travel with the team/group. During this term, the student will be assigned to mandatory remediation attendance to receive academic assistance by their teacher(s). This mandatory remediation assignment will continue until the student becomes eligible, and will be reassigned for each subsequent period of ineligibility for the remainder of the current season. If a student skips a mandatory remediation assignment, he/she will be disciplined in accordance with the “EPASD Code of Student Conduct” (e.g., assigned a 1-Hour Detention).

Marking Period Reports

If a student-athlete received a failing grade in two (2) or more classes the last marking period of the previous school year, or during the end of any marking period during the current school year, the student-athlete will be deemed ineligible. Back work may be made up, providing it is in accordance with the regular rules of the school. In cases where a student’s work in any preceding grading period does not meet the standards provided above, said student shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for fifteen (15) school days of the next grading period where the school has four (4) grading periods per school year beginning on the first day report cards are issued. Summer school make-up work may apply to the four (4) full credit total. At the end of the school year, the student’s final credits in his/her credits for the last grading period shall be used to determine his/her eligibility for the next grading period.

Attendance

Student-athletes must be in school prior to 9:30 a.m. high school, 10:00 a.m. middle school, or they may not participate in the practice or contest that day (unless it is a valid excuse or has been pre-approved at the discretion of the building administrator and/or athletic director).
Any student who is absent and/or late five (5) days in a given season will be reviewed by the building administrator or athletic director for possible suspension from the team.
Student-athletes who leave school due to illness may not return to practice or competition that day unless he/she has physician approval.
Attendance exceptions may be made by the building administrator and/or athletic director due to injury or illness.

NCAA/NAIA Eligibility

A quick-reference guide to NCAA eligibility for each year of high school and the educational requirements for each Division (I, II, & III) of the NCAA. View NCAA Initial Eligibility Brochure.