FOR THE PARENT
FOR THE PARENT
The following Q&A is specifically designed to help parents of students that participate in activities at the secondary level gain a better understanding of general eligibility requirements. Additional questions should be addressed to school administration at the student’s school. The complete OSSAA Administrator’s Handbook can be found on the OSSAA.com website under the OSSAA INFORMATION tab.
LEGAL STUDENT
What is the first step in determining eligibility?
A student must be legally enrolled and attending a member school prior to considering the student’s eligibility status.
HOME SCHOOL/VIRTUAL SCHOOL STUDENTS
Is a student eligible if they are home schooled?
A student choosing to home school is not eligible for participation at a member school. If the student chooses to take supplemental online courses the student may be eligible provided the student is enrolled in the member school, using the online curriculum adopted by the local school board and attends a minimum of one hour per day at the member school.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
When is a student considered overage for participation?
– May not be 14 prior to September 1 for 7th grade
– May not be 16 prior to September 1 for 9th grade
– May not be 19 prior to September 1 for 12th grade
TRANSFERRING SCHOOLS AFTER BEGINNING 9TH GRADE
When is eligibility established at the high school level?
A student that participates at a school at the 9th grade level or above establishes eligibility by first participation. The participation may occur at the sub-varsity or varsity level.
What is the student’s eligibility status if they transfer after participating in the 9th grade?
If a student transfers to another school after establishing eligibility by participating at the 9th grade level or above, the student will not be eligible for varsity participation for a period of one year. If the student is in good standing at the previous school, the student may have an opportunity to participate at the sub-varsity level.
What is the student’s eligibility status if established outside the district of residence and now wants to attend the district of residence?
A student that establishes eligibility at the 9th grade level or above outside the district of residence and returns to the district of residence will not be eligible for varsity participation for a period of one year. If the student is in good standing at the previous school, the student may have an opportunity to participate at the sub-varsity level.
REPEATING A GRADE
Can a student participate during a repeat 7th or 8th grade year?
A student repeating 7th or 8th grade will not be eligible during the repeat period, regardless of whether or not the student participated during the initial period in 7th or 8th grade.
What if a student repeats a grade after entering 9th grade?
A student entering 9th grade is limited to four consecutive years of opportunity for participation upon entering 9th grade.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Is a student eligible at another school if under discipline at the previous school?
A student under discipline at a school will not be considered for eligibility at any member school until the terms of the discipline have been satisfied.
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
What is week-to-week eligibility?
A student in 7th through11th grades must be passing all classes each week. Students in 12th grade only need to pass the courses required for graduation.
How many classes does a student need to pass at the end of the semester?
A student in 7th through 11th grade must be passing a minimum of five (5) courses needed for graduation at the end of each semester. Students in 12th grade only need to pass the courses required for graduation.
NON-ATHLETIC ACTIVitiES
AGE RESTRICTIONS
In non-athletics, at what point is a student no longer eligible for participation?
A student may not participate after reaching their 21st birthday.
ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
What is week-to-week eligibility?
A student in 7th through 11th grades must be passing all classes each week.
How many classes does a student need to pass at the end of the semester?
A student in 7th through 11th grade must be passing a minimum of five (5) courses needed for graduation at the end of each semester. Students in 12th grade only need to pass the courses required for graduation.
TRANSFERRING SCHOOLS AFTER BEGINNING 9TH GRADE
Does the residency rule apply to non-athletics?
Residence eligibility rules do not apply to non-athletics.
What if a student repeats a grade after entering 9th grade?
A student entering 9th grade is limited to four consecutive years of opportunity for participation upon entering 9th grade.
HOME SCHOOL/VIRTUAL SCHOOL STUDENTS
Is a student eligible if they are home schooled?
A student choosing to home school is not eligible for participation at a member
school.
If the student chooses to take supplemental online courses the student may be eligible provided the student is enrolled in the member school, using the online curriculum adopted by the local school board and attends a minimum of one hour per day at the member school.
