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Q: What are basic requirements to play sports?
A: There are several academic and residency requirements. In addition, there are six basic requirements for all student-athletes.
- All student-athletes and their parents must have signed GCS honor codes on file for that school year.
- Student-athletes must be currently enrolled in a GCS school.
- Only students in grades 7-12 may participate.
- Students cannot participate in GCS athletics if they turn 19 on or before Oct. 16.
- Students must receive a sports physical every calendar year – 365 days. The screening must be done by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
- Students are eligible for high school sports for eight consecutive semesters, which starts when the student enters ninth grade or starts playing on a high school team, whichever comes first.
Q: What are the academic requirements for student-athletes?
A: Student-athletes must meet three basic academic requirements to play sports.
- A student must have passed a minimum load of work during the preceding semester to be eligible at any time during the present semester.
- Summer school work used to make up part of the minimum load must be applied to the most recent semester.
- Students cannot have more than 13.5 absences in the previous semester.
- Students must meet local promotional standards, as well.
Q: How do I know if my child is eligible to participate in school athletics?
A: Students who live with a biological parent and attend their home school, which serves the area where the student lives, are immediately eligible to play high school sports if they meet all other eligibility requirements. The student-athlete and his/her parents must have a signed honor code on file with the school for that school year. In addition, the parent must provide documentation to prove residency in the school’s district.
Q: We (parents) are separated or divorced, and we do not have a court-ordered custody arrangement for our child, so we came to our own agreement. What must we do to make sure our child is eligible to participate in school athletics?
A: In the absence of a court-ordered custody, parents must choose one parental address of record for the students, which both parents must sign and place in the student’s school records. In addition, both parents must have a signed honor code in the students’ file. Under no circumstances may a student have more than one residence for eligibility purposes.
Q: I submitted a statement of domicile when school started. It is now November, and the athletic director will not let my child participate in winter sports. Why?
A: A statement of domicile is only valid for 30 days. After that time, parents must prove residency at the listed address, or the student loses eligibility.
