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This policy applies to all extracurricular activities that meet more than three hours per week and includes all clubs and athletic teams. Participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege, not a right; therefore, students are expected to maintain a certain level of academic performance in order to participate in extracurricular programs. Academic performance will be monitored during the entire school year and students must meet the following criteria in order to participate in extracurricular activities.

Academic Standard

A student is expected to maintain a program of five (5) classes (or the equivalent) plus physical education. The student is expected to be in regular attendance and to perform regular course work in all of his/her classes for each marking period. Student performance will be reviewed at the end of each progress report and marking period (further known as Eligibility Period). An eligibility list will be published after each progress report or marking period report is finalized - approximately every five weeks. In order to remove themselves from any level of probation, a student must be passing all courses at the next quarter or mid-quarter report.

Eligibility Standards

1. Academic Probation

a. If a student receives one comment of “currently not passing” on the progress report or one failure on the report card, he/she will be placed on        

    academic probation for five weeks.

b. A student on academic probation may fully participate in all extracurricular activities and interscholastic sports and is required to make every effort     to attend before and/or after-school study sessions – these are available every day and should be fully utilized in these cases.

c. If, after the next progress report or report card the student is still failing one course, he/she will become “Ineligible to Compete.” (See 2b.)

2. Ineligible to Compete

a. If a student receives two comments of “currently not passing” on the progress report or two failures on the report card, he/she will be deemed as         ineligible to compete.

b. A student on “ineligible to compete” status will be allowed to participate in practices only, but may not participate in games, competitions or other       activities for five weeks. It is required that the student attend before and/or after-school study sessions. If the student’s situation improves after a          minimum of two weeks within the five week period, the student may request reconsideration of “ineligible to compete” status.  

c. If, after the next progress report or report card, the student is still failing two courses he/she will convert to “ineligible” status (see statement                  below).  If  he/she is failing one course at that time, he/she will remain at the “ineligible to compete” status.

3. Ineligible Status

a. If a student receives three or more “currently not passing” comments or three or more failures, he/she will be ineligible to participate in ANY               extracurricular activity for the next five weeks. It is required that the student attend before and/or after-school study sessions. In order for the                student  to return to his/her activity, he/she must be passing all classes. 

Tryout Period

Due to the brief and specific dates for athletic tryouts, auditions and certain extracurricular activities, students will be permitted to tryout or audition, and will not be penalized due to their eligibility status. The ability to tryout and audition does not give the student the ability to participate if selected unless he/she meets the Academic Standard.

Fall Sports & Extracurricular Activities

The June report card final grades will determine fall eligibility status. If proof of the student’s successful completion of the courses in summer school is submitted to the High School Principal, the student’s eligibility status will be restored.

Appeals

A student or his/her parent/guardian may request reconsideration or appeal the determination regarding the student’s ineligibility status to the Academic Eligibility Committee. The Academic Eligibility Committee will be comprised of Administrators, Coaches or Advisors, Teachers and School Counselors, but shall not include the student’s coach/advisor for the particular sport or activity from which declared ineligible. At least five individuals must be present to make a determination. 

NOTE:  A student may only appeal their status if they are passing ALL of their courses. In order to appeal their status, a student must complete the “Academic Ineligibility Status Change Request Form” for each class he/she is failing and submit the appeal to the principal.

It is the sole responsibility of the student or his/her parent/guardian to present specific facts and circumstances regarding the student’s academic performance and provide proof that his/her academic performance has improved sufficiently to meet the standards as set forth in this policy. The committee shall examine the specific facts of each case, reach a consensus and render a decision within three school days of the appeal. During the appeal process, the student may not practice or play and/or participate in extracurricular activities. The decision of the appeals committee is final.  

NOTE:  A dropped class does not automatically reduce the number of failing courses for a student. In order to demonstrate that the student is in good academic standing, he/she must maintain passing grades in all remaining classes for a sustained period of time. 

Enforcement

Failure to adhere to one’s academic probation status will result in an extended probation for that student or possible removal from the team/activity. In addition, once a student violates the policy, he/she loses the right to appeal his/her probationary status.

Adopted date: December 6, 2010

Amended date:  August 25, 2014

Amended date:  November 4, 2019