Grades 9-12

Activity Eligibility

The merit, value and effectiveness of participation in interscholastic competition is recognized and participation by as many students as possible is encouraged.  Participation in interscholastic competition is a privilege and with this privilege comes responsibility.

Individual sponsors or coaches may impose rules in addition to those contained in this handbook.  The rules imposed by individual sponsors or coaches must have administrative approval and be on file with the Activities Director.  Sponsors or coaches will provide a copy of these rules to his/ her players and their parents.  The privilege of participation may be suspended or cancelled for violating an individual coach’s or sponsor’s rules as well as for violation of school district policies, rules, or regulations.

The Board of Directors of the Red Oak Community School District offers a variety of voluntary activities designed to enhance the classroom education of its students.  Students who participate in extracurricular activities, whether away from or at school, serve as ambassadors of the school throughout the calendar year.  Students who wish to exercise the privilege of participating in extracurricular activities must conduct themselves in accordance with board policy and must refrain from activities that are illegal, immoral, unhealthy, or highly inappropriate.  Participating in these activities is a privilege, conditioned upon meeting the eligibility criteria established by the board, administration, and individual activity coaches and sponsors.  The activities director shall keep records of violations of the Good Conduct Policy.

The following activities are covered by the board’s policy and these rules:

Athletics, instrumental and vocal music performances, drama productions, speech contests, FFA, FHA, National Honor Society, all co-curricular (e.g., Art Club, French Club), all honorary and elected offices (e.g., Homecoming King/Queen/court, class officer, student government officer or representative), state contests and performances for cheerleading and drill team, mock trial, Academic Decathlon, or any other activity where the student represents the school outside the classroom.

Academic Eligibility

To be eligible for an activity, students participating must

1. Be enrolled or dual-enrolled in school;
2. Have earned passing grades in at least six full-time classes the previous semester;
3. Be earning passing grades in at least six full-time classes in the current semester;
4. For students in athletics, music, or speech activities, be under 20 years of age;
5. For students in athletics, music, or speech activities, be enrolled in high school for no more than eight semesters;
6. For students in athletics, have not been a member of a college squad nor trained with a college squad, nor participated in a college contest nor engaged in that sport professionally;
7. Have met all transfer requirements, if the student is a transfer student, or be eligible under state law and regulations if the student is an open enrollment student;
8. Special education students or students covered by a Section 504 plan shall not be denied eligibility on the basis of scholarship if the student is making adequate progress, as determined by the student’s team, towards the goals and objectives on the student’s IEP or 504 plan.

Attendance

Students are expected to be in regular attendance the day of and the day after an extracurricular activity.  Failure to adhere to this expectation may result in disciplinary action for that activity..

• Students shall be in school and attend all four blocks on the day of an extracurricular interscholastic activity.  Any exception must be cleared in advance by the principal or his/her designee.

• If a student will miss a class or classes because of an extracurricular activity, he/she must have an advance excuse and turn in assignments to teachers in advance or make special arrangements for such assignments with the teachers involved.

 

I. Purpose

The Red Oak Community School District believes participation in school activities is an integral component of a student's educational experience. Junior high school activities are specifically designed to promote age-appropriate skill development, teamwork, leadership, confidence, sportsmanship, and enjoyment while preparing students for future participation at the high school level.

The District believes students generally achieve the greatest educational, social, emotional, and physical benefit by participating with peers of similar age and developmental maturity. Accordingly, when a junior high school program is available, eighth-grade students are expected to participate at the junior high school level.

Iowa law permits school districts to allow eighth-grade students to participate in high school interscholastic activities. The Red Oak Community School District recognizes that, in rare and exceptional circumstances, participation at the high school level may be appropriate. Such participation is intended to be the exception, not the rule, and will be approved only when the District determines that the student has demonstrated exceptional ability and readiness, and that participation is in the best interests of both the individual student and the District's programs.

Participation at the high school level is a privilege, not a right, and shall never be presumed or guaranteed.

II. General Rule

Whenever a junior high school athletic or activity program is available, eighth-grade students shall participate at the junior high school level.

Requests to participate at the high school level shall be considered only under extraordinary circumstances and only after completion of the review process established by this regulation.

When no junior high school program exists for a particular sport or activity, eligible eighth-grade students may participate at the high school level, provided sufficient roster space, staffing, facilities, equipment, scheduling, and other district resources are available, and subject to all applicable district, conference, and state association eligibility requirements.

III. Guiding Principles

In evaluating any request for eighth-grade participation at the high school level, the District shall place primary emphasis upon:

• Student safety.
• Physical readiness.
• Emotional and social maturity.
• Academic success.
• Long-term student development.
• Preservation of meaningful opportunities within the junior high school program.
• Integrity and competitive balance of the high school program.
• Consistency and fairness in decision making.
• The educational interests of the student above competitive success.

IV. Exceptional Circumstances Standard

Participation at the high school level shall be approved only when the District concludes that the student demonstrates exceptional readiness substantially beyond that normally expected of students of similar age.

The District expects exceptional participation requests to be uncommon.

Exceptional status requires more than being one of the best eighth-grade participants. Rather, the student should demonstrate readiness comparable to established high school participants.

No single factor shall determine eligibility.

V. Evaluation Criteria

The following factors shall be considered collectively.

1. Athletic or Performance Ability

The student demonstrates skills and performance comparable to current high school participants.

Evidence may include:

• objective performance data;
• competition results;
• coach evaluations;
• varsity comparison;
• technical proficiency.

B. Physical Readiness

The student possesses the physical development necessary to safely compete against high school students considering:

• size;
• strength;
• speed;
• endurance;
• conditioning;
• injury history;
• sport-specific demands.

C. Emotional and Social Maturity

The student consistently demonstrates:

• coachability;
• emotional resilience;
• leadership;
• self-discipline;
• sound judgment;
• sportsmanship;
• respectful interaction with teammates and adults.

D. Academic Readiness

The student demonstrates:

• satisfactory academic performance;
• positive attendance;
• responsible study habits;
• timely completion of assignments;
• appropriate classroom behavior.

E. Developmental Benefit

Participation at the high school level should provide educational or developmental opportunities not reasonably available through junior high school participation.

F. Program Impact

The District shall consider:

• impact upon junior high school participation;
• roster balance;
• opportunities for other students;
• long-term program development;
• coaching resources and supervision capacity;
• facilities limits;
• equipment needs;
• scheduling issues;
• competitive fairness.

VI. Questions Guiding Administrative Review

Prior to recommending approval, the reviewing coach and administrators should thoughtfully consider the following questions. If the coach cannot objectively answer “yes” to all of these questions, they should not support the request.

• Is this student presently capable of competing safely at the varsity level?
• Does the student demonstrate athletic or performance ability comparable to current varsity participants?
• Does the student exhibit maturity necessary for participation with older students?
• Would participation benefit the student's long-term development?
• Would participation at the high school level benefit the student more than remaining at the junior high school level?
• Will approval preserve the student's educational opportunities without causing a significant adverse educational impact?
• Will approval avoid adversely affecting participation opportunities in the junior high school program?
• Will approval avoid adversely affecting the development, opportunities, or competitive experience of high school participants?
• Is this recommendation motivated primarily by the student's development rather than short-term competitive advantage?
• Would the District make the same decision if evaluating another student under identical circumstances?
• Could this decision be confidently defended as educationally appropriate?

VII. Request Procedure

Requests shall originate with the student's parent or guardian.

Requests must be submitted in writing to the Activities Director no later than thirty (30) calendar days before the first official practice unless extraordinary circumstances prevent timely submission.

Requests shall include:

• explanation supporting the request;
• student's prior experience;
• acknowledgement of the expectations established by this regulation.

Late requests ordinarily will not be considered.

VIII. Evaluation Process

Upon receipt of a request, the following review shall occur:

1. Junior High School School Principal verifies eligibility
2. Head High School Coach completes evaluation of athletic readiness (within 10 days of receiving request).
3. Junior High School Coach provides written input.
4. Teachers/Coaches provide written academic and behavioral feedback.
5. Activities Director evaluates program impact (within 5 days of receiving coaches evaluations).
6. Building Principal reviews the recommendation (within 5 days of receiving coaches evaluations).
7. Superintendent renders the final administrative decision (by first official practice).

The Superintendent's decision shall be communicated in writing.

IX. Conditions of Approval

If approved, the student shall:

• maintain all eligibility requirements;
• satisfy district academic standards;
• comply with the Good Conduct Policy;
• submit all required participation forms;
• complete the required athletic physical;
• comply with all IHSAA/IGHSAU regulations;
• comply with all coaching expectations.

X. Participation Rules

An eighth-grade student may participate on only one team in the same sport during a season.

Once the student appears on an official competition roster or participates in an interscholastic contest, the placement becomes final for that sport and season.

Students may participate at different levels during different sports seasons.

XI. Appeals

Because participation in extracurricular activities is a privilege, the Superintendent's decision shall ordinarily be final.

The Board shall not hear appeals involving routine participation determinations unless specifically required by law or Board policy.

XII. Frequently Asked Questions

Does every eighth-grade student have the opportunity to play high school sports?

No. Participation at the high school level is intended to occur only under exceptional circumstances when the criteria established by this regulation are satisfied.

Why does the District generally require eighth-grade students to participate in junior high school activities?

Junior high school programs are designed to provide age-appropriate instruction, competition, leadership opportunities, and personal development. Participation alongside similarly aged peers generally provides the greatest educational benefit.

Who makes the decision?

The Superintendent makes the final determination after receiving recommendations from coaches and administrators.

Can a student participate on both junior high school and high school teams?

No.

Can the decision be changed later in the season?

No. Once the student participates in an interscholastic contest or appears on an official roster, placement is final for that sport during that season.

Must students meet the same eligibility standards as high school students?

Yes.

If there is no junior high school program, may an eighth-grade student participate?

Generally yes, provided all district, conference, and state eligibility requirements are satisfied.

Does exceptional athletic ability alone qualify a student?

No. The District evaluates athletic ability together with maturity, safety, academics, long-term development, and overall program impact.