East is proud to offer its scholars a wide of range of options for athletic involvement, including opportunities for those scholars in the 7th and 8th grade. We encourage the majority of our scholars in the lower school level to compete at the modified level, but we also recognize that there are a select few exceptional scholar-athletes with the athletic ability and sport specific skill to play at the junior varsity and varsity level. This is a coach driven process where coaches will invite those select few scholar-athletes that they are could have a major contribution in the contest (either start or be one of the first off the bench). In order for seventh and eighth graders to compete interscholastically at the high school level, these athletes must pass the Athletic Placement Process as mandated by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. It is very important to note that successful completion of the Athletic Placement Process simply allows the scholar-athlete to try out for the upper school team and does not guarantee him/her a spot on the final roster.
The Athletic Placement Process utilizes the President's Physical Fitness Test, and scholar-athletes will need to meet the 85th percentile level for their age in 4 out of 5 test components. This fitness test is designed to assess speed, agility, flexibility, upper body strength, and aerobic conditioning. Athletes will be given a few opportunities to pass specific parts of the test, so long as they are close enough to achieving the required score.
Parents are cautioned that even though their child may be physically ready, it does not mean that he/she will be emotionally or socially ready to handle the stress of upper school competition or the social interaction with older athletes. Although coaches at East place a high priority on assimilating all students into the team structure, this does not necessarily mean younger scholar-athletes are comfortable in this environment. If you or your son/daughter has any reservations about competing at the upper school level, then it is highly recommended that your son/daughter remain at the modified level.
The purpose of this statewide program is to determine the level of physical fitness scholars have when compared to those older athletes your son/daughter will be competing against at the upper school level. If your child is seeking to be a member of a junior varsity or varsity upper school team, he/she will need to complete every one of the steps outlined below. Please note, this program is designed for the exceptional athletes, the specific talent and conditioning level required will be well above the level of average athletes of a similar age.
The following steps must be completed in order for a 7th or 8th grader to try out at the upper school level: