Middle School Eligibility Requirements (Established by the NCDPI)

Grade Level

Athletic participation is only available to students in grades 7 and 8. Students in the 6th grade are not allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics.

Academic Requirements

In grades 7 and 8 a student must pass 3 of their 4 core courses each semester to be eligible for athletics.

Attendance Requirement

In order to be eligible for athletic participation, students must have been in daily attendance 85% of the previous semester. In regards to athletic eligibility, daily absences cannot be made up under any circumstances, even if the student attends Saturday classes, extra help sessions, summer school, and/or any other means to make up academic work. A student must, at any time of any game in which he or she participates, be a regularly enrolled member of the school’s student body.

Promotion Standards

In grades 7 and 8 a student must meet state and local promotion standards each semester. This includes the academic requirement listed above.

Four Semester Rule

From the time a student first enters the 7th grade, they have 4 consecutive semesters to complete their middle school athletic eligibility.

Medical Examination

Student athletes must receive a medical examination once every 365 days by a duly licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant.

Age

A student may not participate in any 7th or 8th grade sport if his or her 15th birthday comes on or before August 31st of the current school year.

Residence

A student is eligible to participate in athletics at the school to which he or she is assigned by the Board of Education, within the administrative unit of residence. Transfers within the Guilford County Schools administrative district are governed by local Board of Education policy.

High School Eligibility Requirements (Established by the NCHSAA)

Academic Requirements

Students at schools on the 4 x 4 block schedule must pass a minimum of 3 classes during the semester immediately prior to the semester of athletic participation. Students at schools using the traditional schedule must pass a minimum of 5 classes during the semester immediately prior to the semester of athletic participation.

Attendance Requirement

In order to be eligible for athletic participation, students must have been in daily attendance 85% of the previous semester. In regards to athletic eligibility, daily absences cannot be made up under any circumstances, even if the student attends Saturday classes, extra help sessions, summer school, and/or any other means to make up academic work.

Promotion Standards

All students must meet local promotion standards established by Guilford County Schools. A set number of units/credits must be earned in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

Eight Semester Rule

Beginning with the student's first entry into the 9th grade, the student may not participate in athletics for a period lasting longer than eight (8) consecutive semesters.

Medical Examination

Student athletes must receive a medical examination once every 365 days by a duly licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant.

Age

A student may not participate in any sport if his or her 19th birthday comes on or before August 31st of the current school year.

Residence

A student is eligible to participate in athletics at the school to which he or she is assigned by the Board of Education, within the administrative unit of residence. Transfers within the Guilford County Schools administrative district are governed by local Board of Education policy.

Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics

In addition to the athletic eligibility rules established by the NCHSAA, additional athletic eligibility rules have been established by the Guilford County Schools Board of Education.

• Students in grades 10-12 must earn a weighted GPA of 2.0 or higher during the semester immediately prior to the semester of athletic participation. First year freshmen do not have a GPA requirement for the first semester of the 9th grade year, but must earn a GPA of 1.50 or higher during the first semester to be eligible for the second semester of the 9th grade year.
• Annually, prior to participation, parents must provide two proofs of residence.
• Annually, prior to participation, the student and parent must complete an Athletic Participation Form.

A more detailed description can be found in Board of Education policy JI (Student Participation in Interscholastic Athletics) as well as the associated procedures.

Policy JI

Procedure JI-P