Academic Eligibility Requirements

ZWMS Grade Checks for Student-Athletes

Athletic Department Philosophy: It is the philosophy and purpose of our middle school athletic departments to maximize participation of our students in our athletic programs while maintaining a high standard of excellence in academics.

Goal: The goal of our athletic eligibility checks is to maintain fair and consistent standards of academic success among our student-athletes in accordance with our athletic department philosophy.

Policy & Process: Grade checks will take place according to a schedule determined by the Athletic Director. If a student-athlete’s grade report shows a failing grade in any academic standard, he/she will be placed on the Needs Improvement List until re-evaluation at the next grade check. The student-athlete and his/her guardian(s) will be informed of their inclusion on the list.

Appearance on ONE Needs Improvement List will result in initiation of athletic contract.
Appearance on TWO consecutive Needs Improvement Lists will result in the student-athlete being withheld from competitions until they no longer appear on the Needs Improvement List.
Appearance on THREE consecutive Needs Improvement Lists will result in the student-athlete being withheld from practices AND competitions until they no longer appear on the list.
Appearance on FOUR consecutive lists will result in dismissal from the team.

Important Notes:

Each student-athlete’s status will “reset” between each individual sports season. For example, a student-athlete who appeared on Needs Improvement Lists for the boys basketball season will not be held out of wrestling practice until they appear on two lists during the wrestling season.

“College and Career Readiness” standards will not be included on the grade report. However, the Athletic Director reserves the right to hold any student-athlete out of practices or games for poor behavior, including one-time incidents that may not be reflected in the CCR standards.

The Athletic Director also reserves the right to share Needs Improvement Lists with school staff members and coaches. Coaches may use this information to determine teams and playing time or for other reasons at their discretion.

EXAMPLE SCENARIOS:

	1^st Check	2^nd Check	3^rd Check	4^th Check	5^th Check	6^th Check
Student #1 (Football & Boys Basketball)	No failing grades; Ruling – Eligible	1 failing grade; Ruling – Eligible (probation)	No failing grades; Ruling - Eligible	1 failing grade; Ruling – Eligible (probation)	1 failing grade; Ruling – Ineligible for competitions until next grade check.	1 failing grade; Ruling – Eligible (probation) Reset between seasons; first check of boys basketball
Student #2 (Boys Tennis & Boys Basketball)	2 failing grades; Ruling – Probation	2 failing grades; Ruling – Ineligible for competitions until next grade check	2 failing grades; Ruling – Ineligible from practices AND competitions until next grade check	2 failing grades; Ruling – Dismissal from team	Not on grade report	1 failing grade; Ruling – Eligible (probation) *Reset between seasons; first check of boys basketball
Student #3 (Cheer & Girls Basketball)	1 failing grade; Ruling – Eligible (probation)	1 failing grade; Ruling – Ineligible for competitions until next grade check	1 failing grade; Ruling – Ineligible from practices AND competitions until next grade check	No failing grades; Ruling - Eligible	1 failing grade; Ruling – Eligible (probation)	Not on grade report until first check of girls basketball on 1/19/18