Eligibility

Academic Eligibility

Student athletes in high school are expected to meet or exceed a 2.0 GPA in order to be eligible to participate in school-sponsored activities. We have established excellence as a standard and strive to maintain an appropriate balance among academics, athletics, and all extra-curricular activities.

Athletes below a 2.0 can practice but will not compete for 5 weeks at the beginning of the following semester. After the probation period is served, the student will complete a progress report documenting a 2.0 for the school Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will review and clear athletes.

If ineligibility is due to hardship, students may submit a Student Academic Appeals Packet.

Fall Season Grade Check

There will be a 2 part grade check (WIAA and NSD) conducted during the 2nd full week of the fall season:

  • WIAA 18.7.0 – In order to maintain athletic eligibility during the current semester/trimester, the student shall maintain passing grades, or the minimum grade standards as determined by the school district if more restrictive, in a minimum of:
    • 5 classes in a 6 period class schedule or the equivalent credits
    • RUNNING  START  COURSES  EQUIVALENT One - 5 credit quarter course = one high school credit One - 3 credit semester course = one high school credit
  • Northshore School District Standards –GPA for the previous semester must be 2.0 or above
    • WIAA 18.7.1 Member schools may allow only seniors who are on track to graduate to initially enroll in one less class than the minimum number of classes required for other students. Seniors enrolled in one less class than other students must maintain passing grades in all classes in which they initially enrolled in order to remain academically eligible. Seniors may not drop or withdraw from a class in order to remain eligible.

Grade Check #1: Beginning of Season

Initial Fall Grade Checks (WIAA and NSD Standards) – Based on Previous June Semester- 5-week probation

  • Not meeting WIAA standard the athlete can practice but can’t compete.
    • WIAA 18.7.6 ACADEMIC SUSPENSION PERIOD - A student who failed to make the grade requirements of 18.7.4 shall be placed on suspension. The student shall be ineligible during the suspension period. If, at the end of the suspension period, the student is passing in the minimum number of classes required above, the student may then be reinstated for interscholastic competition.
      • The suspension period for high school students shall be from the end of the previous semester through the fourth Saturday in September in the fall or the first five (5) weeks of the succeeding semester/trimester.
      • Please note that the WIAA 5 week probation period happens after final grades have been posted to transcript in June and January.
  • Not meeting NSD standards – 5 week probation period outlined above by the WIAA.  The athlete can practice but can’t compete.
    • Athletes that are not academically eligible may not be in full uniform at a contest. They can be in a jersey or team sweat jacket with jeans. They may sit on the bench or on the sidelines.
    • Exception can be if a student attended summer school. Classes passed will count towards the 5 classes and the grades will be calculated into their June GPA.

Grade Check #2: October 15, 2018

1st Quarter Five-week Interim Progress Report (WIAA Standard Only)

  • Check all athletes on current rosters (all levels).
  • Not meeting WIAA standard – May practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)

Grade Check #3: November 19, 2018

1st Quarter Grades (WIAA Standard Only)

  • Check all athletes still in post–season competition

Not meeting WIAA standard – May practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)

Winter Season Grade Check

Please note that the end of the 1st semester is in January during the winter sports season. This is a posted grade and as per WIAA rule 18.7.6 (defined above) any athlete is not passing 5 classes or the equivalent of, will serve a 5 week probation period in which they can’t compete. This is right before post-season play and that means that the athlete will not be able to compete for the rest of winter season. They can practice. They will be eligible to compete the 2nd week of March in the spring sports season.

The WIAA and NSD grade checks  are conducted during the 2nd full week of the winter season.

Grade check #4: Beginning of Winter Season

Initial Winter Grade Checks (WIAA and NSD Standards) – Based on Previous Semester (June )

  • Not meeting WIAA standard: Must be passing 5 classes at the November mid-term grade check. For students not passing they may practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)
  • Not meeting NSD standard in June: They must have a 2.0 at the November mid-term. Students that are not passing they may practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)
  • 2nd Quarter Five-week Interim Progress Report (WIAA Standard Only) –
  • Check all athletes on current rosters (all levels).

Not meeting WIAA standard – May practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)

Grade check #5: January 7, 2019

1st Semester Grades (WIAA and NSD Standards) – winter – (end date of term 1) – Grade Check #6

  • 5 week probation from the first day of 2nd term
  • Check all athletes (All Sports)
  • Not meeting WIAA standard  - out 5 weeks – as per WIAA rule 18.7.6
  • Not meeting the NSD Standard –  out 5 weeks

Grade check #6: February 11, 2019

  • Not meeting WIAA standard - 5 week probation

Athletes that are not academically eligible may not be in full uniform at a contest. They can be in a jersey or team sweat jacket with jeans. They may sit on the bench or on the sidelines.

Spring Season Grade Check

The WIAA and NSD grade checks are conducted during the 2nd full week of the spring season.

Grade Check  #7: Beginning of Season

Initial Spring Grade Checks (WIAA and NSD Standards); Based on Previous Semester

  • 5-week probation from the first day of 2nd term
  • Not meeting WIAA standard - Must be passing 5 classes at the January mid-term grade check. Students that are not passing may practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.
  • Not meeting NSD standard - The athlete can practice but can’t compete until passing 5 classes and a 2.0 GPA is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.

Grade Check #8: March 18, 2019

3rd Quarter Grades (WIAA Standard Only)

  • Check all athletes on current rosters (all levels).
  • Not meeting WIAA standard – May practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)

Grade Check #9: April 29, 2019

4th Quarter Five-week Interim Progress Report (WIAA Standard Only)

  • Check all athletes on current rosters (all levels).
  • Not meeting WIAA standard – May practice but not compete until passing 5 classes is documented on a progress report and cleared by the building AD.  (day to day)

 

NCAA Eligibility

Students must complete the following steps to participate in Division 1 or Division 2 athletics.

  1. Register for eligibility at www.eligibilitycenter.org and complete the amateurism questionnaire during sophomore year or at the beginning of junior year.
  2. Register to take the SAT and/or ACT. Use Eligibility Center code “9999” as a score recipient
  3. Double check to make sure that you are taking courses that match the approved core courses
  4. Request that your school counselor send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completion of your junior year.
  5. At the beginning of senior year, check with your school counselor and the Eligibility Center to determine the amount of core courses that need to be completed your senior year.
  6. Take the SAT and/or ACT again. The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score.
  7. Continue to take college prep core courses.
  8. Check to make sure that you are taking courses that match the approved core courses.
  9. Review your amateurism questionnaire responses and request final amateurism certification beginning April 1 (for fall enrollees) or October 1 (for spring enrollees).
  10. Continue to earn the best grades possible.
  11. Graduate on time (in 8 academic semesters).  After graduation, ask your school counselor to send your final transcript with proof of graduation.

 

Non-School Competition Procedure

While WIAA rules prohibit schools giving students special treatment or privileges on a regular basis to enable them to participate in non-school athletic activities, NSD understands that occasionally non-school teams participate in events specifically designed to give athletes exposure to college opportunities and potential scholarships.

Per WIAA guidelines, student athletes will automatically be allowed to miss team practice(s) or competition(s) to participate in one non-school athletic event per high school sport season. Prior e-mail notification to the school’s Athletic Director is required.

A student may petition to miss team practice(s) or competition(s) for a second non-school event given that the event is designed to showcase the athlete for potential recruiting or scholarship awards. This petition must be submitted either in writing or by e-mail to the district athletic director (dharman@nsd.org) no later than two-weeks before the scheduled absence.

No petitions will be granted for absences during scheduled post season competition. While up to two absences are allowable, team attendance rules that apply to all students will be enforced (e.g.- sitting the first half of the next competition).

A third event absence will result in the athlete becoming ineligible for the remainder of that sport season.

Detailed guidelines and requirements for non-school athletic participation are available on the district’s website at https: //www1.nsd.org/schools/enrichment-activities/athletics/eligibility

Non-School Competition Procedure Full Document