Athletics

Key Contacts

Athletics Overview

Regardless of LEA or charter status, all Innovation Network Schools are invited to participate in all IPS athletic leagues. To ensure your school is included, please make sure you email the IPS District Director of Athletics, Darren Thomas, with the contact information of your athletics director or coordinator at the opening of each school year. 

Athletic funding is dependent on whether the school operates within the IPS LEA. Schools in SBA receive an athletics stipend.

For schools in IPS leagues, high schools are responsible for paying for the officials for the game. IPS will pay for officials in IPS leagues for elementary and middle schools. 

● Charter schools - All charter schools will pay for their own coaches, equipment, team fees, and associated athletic director compensation, etc. While Innovation Charter Schools are a part of the IPS league, IPS does not fund any part of their athletic functions. 

● IPS-LEA schools that are NOT part of the SBA (student-based allocation) funding system - These schools will be treated in the same way as charters (see above). 

● IPS-LEA schools that are funded via SBA (student-based allocation) - These schools will receive support for athletic funding in the same way as all other IPS schools according to the IPS SBA policy. IPS will release funds to schools after completion of the season, and via the monthly tuition payment. 

All innovation schools are welcome to participate in the IPS athletics league. The table linked here outlines the sports offered during each season for elementary and middle schools. For in-LEA schools, there is no charge to play in the IPS athletics league. For out of LEA innovation partners, there is a $50 administrative fee for each sport the school participates in and an additional fee for any sport that requires officials. Fees are noted in the table linked above. Payments will be charged via the monthly innovation passthrough and are not refundable after schedules have been finalized. Registration windows typically open approximately one month before the start of the season. Teams will register through afterschoolHQ. Contact Jordan Leonard, IPS Athletics Coordinator, with questions: leonardj@myips.org. 

Athletics Transportation

*Transportation for athletic activities will align with language found in each innovation contract. See below for additional guidance: 

● Innovation schools that receive transportation in a way that is comparable to other schools in the LEA (as per the agreement) will be allowed a certain volume of extra-curricular transportation at no charge. Beyond that, there will be a charge OR they will need to secure transportation with another provider.

● Innovation schools that do not use IPS transportation may have access to IPS buses for after school activities pending bus availability. Please reach out to the Transportation Team and cc a member of the Portfolio Team if you are interested in exploring this option. 

● Please keep in mind that bus availability is limited. Communicate your needs to the IPS transportation department well in advance of your transportation needs to maximize the probability of receiving transportation.

Athletics Facilities

If you are interested in learning more about using an IPS athletics facility, email ritterr@myips.org to set up a meeting with athletics and facilities.